Vehicle Shipping in Altona NY

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Altona, we never charge hidden fees. Our pricing includes everything that you will need to transport your vehicle from point A to point B – all at extremely competitive rates.

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Don’t settle for slow response or late deliveries. For over 10 years we have shipped vehicles on time, when and where our customers need them. Call today to see why we’re the best budget auto transport company in Altona, NY.

Hauling a motor vehicle is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the proper information and contacting the right Altona auto transport service to manage the job. More often than not when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Altona?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Altona, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their needs. For instance, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will get in touch with a variety of Altona auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the customer until the vehicle is delivered. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Altona

Going with a Altona auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Altona auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with clients.

Car Shipping Tips

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Every Altona auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Altona car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Altona auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The client will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Altona auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and client can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Although the Altona auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Altona

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport Altona service to go with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reputable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Altona

Altona auto transport companies make it possible to have your car shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Altona

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Altona auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the ideal choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.