Auto Transportation in Lake City SC

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Do you have questions such as what size auto carrier do I need or how much does this cost? Call us now to get all of your questions answered.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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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On time delivery and pickup

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 Lake City, SC.

Shipping a car or truck is not a really complicated practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and calling the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Lake City. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it has to arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

How to Tell the Difference Between Lake City Auto Carriers and Brokers

First of all, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Lake City you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem confusing, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Brokers are essentially the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. A car transporter in Lake City will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up customers with their services. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best prices for the client. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management firm. These brokers also stay in touch with the client throughout the shipping process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Lake City auto transport. A broker shops numerous auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport needs.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Lake City are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common goods you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Lake City car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A car 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.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s simple to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The client will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lake City auto transport gets there to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater 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. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Lake City companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically 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 supplied by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lake City

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Lake City service that you’re considering going with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a respected company. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. Finally, 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.

Distinction Between Lake City Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Going with a Lake City auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Lake City

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake City that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.