Vehicle Shipping in Athens TX

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Athens, 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 Athens, TX.

Shipping a vehicle is not a very complex practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and getting in touch with the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Athens. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in touch with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

Athens Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

You’ll basically have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Athens. 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 best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be working with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship motor vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Athens must be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to offer effective service and remain profitable. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers use brokers who will connect them with the right customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying roughly the same price for your auto transport. There ës a fair amount of competition between various auto carriers, so occasionally you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. As a result, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good price.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Athens will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

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

When utilizing a Athens auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gas either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in issues.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s effortless to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Athens auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your car on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may take place in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Athens companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Athens

In order to make sure you’re receiving the best service from your Athens car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their solutions with the BBB. It’s also a great idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Difference Between Athens Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The abundance of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the cheap price tag. So, in general, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Athens

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Athens you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.