Car Transport in Lafayette CA

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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 Lafayette, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Lafayette, CA.

Moving a automobile is not a really challenging practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and phoning the right Lafayette auto transport service to handle the job. Often times when you reach out to a transportation firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and speedily to a new location. The method 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. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Lafayette Auto Carriers and Brokers

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Lafayette, then you could possibly be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before choosing a service.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Lafayette odds are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They’ll find an automobile carrier who journeys the route and is within realistic distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. The broker will be in contact with you, the client, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Locating a Car Carrier in Lafayette

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. 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. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker service. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Lafayette. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their customers.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Motor Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

No car hauler in Lafayette is allowed to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common goods you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and remove them prior to pickup.

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

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Lafayette auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to leave a full tank of fuel in your car when transporting it. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up placing a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

Always conduct an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lafayette car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s best to record the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Lafayette comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your car and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Lafayette companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually 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 company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Lafayette for Your Needs

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by performing some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Lafayette to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Lafayette

Lafayette auto transport businesses 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 provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business 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 differences.

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 normally 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. 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 motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Lafayette

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always cheaper, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Lafayette you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every situation. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.