Auto Shipping in Lake City FL
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lake City, 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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Are you looking for the absolute best Lake City auto transport? In this article we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it operates and how to make the very best decision. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one location to another safely. Almost all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another location of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Lake City auto shipping providers, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, a broker will seek out the ideal carrier for your specific auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.
How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Lake City
You’ll basically have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Lake City. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is simply 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 basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to quote the most reasonable rates. Auto shipping brokers in Lake City negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best prices for the consumer. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a greater variety of options when it comes to auto haulers. These brokers also stay in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.
How to Locate a Car Carrier in Lake City
When you deal directly with an auto transport provider that means you will be dealing with the actual person or firm that will be moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the business. All auto transport carriers in Lake City have to be licensed and insured, but a client should still do their homework to verify this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the right customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be having to pay roughly the same price for your auto transport. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. As a result, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.
Car Shipping Tips
Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.
All Lake City auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.
Keep an eye on your gas gauge before shipping with a Lake City car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle. The automobile 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 substantial weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in problems.
Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.
In order to better identify any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. 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. Simply taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.
Knowing your Bill of Lading.
As soon as your Lake City auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.
Evaluate your insurance coverage options.
Although the Lake City auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price tag of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.
Make Certain You Select the Best Car Shipping Business in Lake City
There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Lake City that you’ve chosen. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Lake City
Going with a Lake City auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods 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. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration depending on the value of the car you’re shipping.
You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Lake City
Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. 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 vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Lake City auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. By performing 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. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.