Car Shipping in Lakeside 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 Lakeside, 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 Lakeside, CA.

The automotive transport industry can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the most effective choice possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and contacting the right Lakeside auto transport service to deal with the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your automobile, the process is basically the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that is the owner of the trucks.

How to Tell the Difference Between Lakeside Auto Carriers and Brokers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Lakeside, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your motor vehicle needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Lakeside 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 relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best rates for the client. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of options when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

Going with a Lakeside auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best prices and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Take any personal items out of your car.

Each and every Lakeside auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

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

Although your vehicle will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping issues.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

Always perform an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lakeside car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Lakeside auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also guarantee 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 basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Lakeside companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lakeside

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Lakeside 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. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Lakeside

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. So, in general, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel steady routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Lakeside

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements 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 billed an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Lakeside auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.