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Auto Transport in Lake Forest CA

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lake Forest, 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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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 Lake Forest, CA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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Hauling a motor vehicle is not a really complex process, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve never done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and calling the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Lake Forest. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and speedily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is basically the same. The main data you’ll need prior to transport 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 specific date it has to arrive by. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that owns the trucks.

Lake Forest Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lake Forest it’s important to have a decent understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the market works. The process is much easier than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Market

An auto transport broker is simply the professional employed by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Lake Forest. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s position. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can provide a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the customer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your car. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them depend on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Lake Forest auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s essential to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

All Lake Forest auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You will need to 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 fuel gauge before shipping with a Lake Forest car carrier. It’s highly recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car 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. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the equilibrium of the transport and result in difficulties.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

Always conduct an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lake Forest car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will make sure you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

When the Lake Forest car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the client and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

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 Lake Forest companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top end or collector’s car.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Lake Forest

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Lake Forest service that you’re thinking about going with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Difference Between Lake Forest Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not safeguarded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake Forest that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.