97.5% of households in Alabama own at least one vehicle. Given that there are over 2.05 million households, it means there are at least 2.05 million vehicles in the state. This number is the reason why the car shipping business is thriving in the state.
Yet, not everyone knows how to go about the process of shipping a car from Alabama. Before you hire an Alabama auto transport services company, there are certain factors you need to consider. This article discusses those factors in detail.
Shipping Method
The shipping method should be the first thing you think about. There are many ways vehicles are shipped which includes driveway service, open transport, enclosed transport, among others. You should be careful about which way you choose. The best method for you will depend on your budget, needs, and level of security.
Auto Transport Company
In Alabama, there are a number of companies that move cars. You can’t just pick any auto transport company; you need to do your research first. The company you pick will have a big impact on how well the process goes.
So, do a lot of research to find a trustworthy company that can transport your car. Make sure you look at their credentials, reviews, and ratings. Also, check to see if they have insurance and a license. Doing this will ensure that you are legally secured.
Schedule
Shipping can take a while based on how busy the company is and the time of year. When you want to move a car out of Alabama, you should also give thought to the schedule. If you book early, you have a better chance of getting the delivery and return dates you want.
Locations You Choose for Pickup and Delivery
This is an important thing to think about and execute effectively. Making sure that your pickup and delivery locations are correct makes the process go smoothly. If you change your location during delivery or give the wrong location for pickup, it can slow down the process.
So, you need to be sure of both locations. You should clearly communicate these locations to the shipping company. You can visit https://www.allbusiness.com/ to learn tips to improve communication. Also, make sure the truck carrier has enough room to safely load, unload, and get to the vehicle.
Communication and Tracking
You will need to keep track of the shipping company and talk to them while the package is in transit. That is, you need to figure out how to talk to the company so that you can easily keep track of where the vehicle is while it’s in transit. With such open communication, it will be easy to handle any problems or changes that come up.
Insurance
The shipping company must have insurance, but you might still need to get insurance for your own car. If you get extra insurance for your car, it will be fully covered. You also need to be sure that the company is offering good insurance. Make sure you check this.
Paperwork and Documentation
Paperwork and documentation are important factors you should also consider. Moving cars is a business, and like any other business, it needs to follow the law. The success or failure of the project will depend on this important factor.
Paperwork includes the contracts and other forms you need to fill out. Filling out these documents will ensure you, the shipping firm, and the authorities are in agreement. You will need to show the following papers to the company and probably also to the authorities:
- Real and Valid ID: Before you can ship something out of Alabama, you will have to prove who you are. In other words, you need to show a real and valid ID. You can check here to find out the acceptable forms of identification in Alabama. It could be your driver’s license or passport.
- Vehicle Title: You will have to show proof that the car is yours. To do this, you need to show the car’s title; it must be a verified copy or the real thing. The vehicle can’t have any loans or liens on it. If not, you may need to show a letter from an official lienholder.
- Vehicle Registration: You must also show the vehicle’s registration as proof that you own it. The name under which the vehicle is registered will be written on the license. It will also show if the car meets all the requirements in the state.
- Shipping Contract: The business is formally bound by this contract, which needs to be signed. The shipping firm will give you this. So, make sure you read it carefully before you sign it. The terms and conditions are written in the paper.
- Car Inspection Report: It’s always best to have the vehicle checked out before you ship it. After you do this, you will be given a document that describes the state of the car. If there is any damage to the car, this document will come in handy. It will make sure that any problems with the car are better-taken care of.
Conclusion
It is simple to ship cars from Alabama to other places. This is possible because the state has a very good transportation system. However, moving a vehicle is still a complicated process. So, there are things you need to think about to make sure everything runs smoothly. Some of these things are discussed in the above article.
