Car Transport in Lakewood CA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lakewood, 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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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 Lakewood, CA.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Lakewood? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Customers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better covers your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should understand the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Lakewood?

Employing an auto transport company requires some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get accurate information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Lakewood. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your vehicle. 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 consumer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Lakewood

An auto transport carrier is the business that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of transporting a motor vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The consumer will be responsible for locating a company that handles auto transport in Lakewood, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

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

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

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Lakewood car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your automobile because of the additional weight it adds.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Lakewood auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed afterwards. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lakewood auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that testifies 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 driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Lakewood auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could occur. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lakewood

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by performing some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Lakewood 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 obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. Lastly, 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. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Lakewood Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the cheap price tag. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Lakewood

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. 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 satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Lakewood auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.