Auto Transport in Lake Station IN

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 Lake Station, 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 Lake Station, IN.

Moving a motor vehicle is not a very complicated practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and contacting the right Lake Station auto transport service to manage the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. The method 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. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Lake Station?

Choosing an auto transport company involves some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. It may seem like a complex process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing customers with transport services.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping community, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one place to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After getting in contact with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Lake Station who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping requirements. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the purchaser until the vehicle is delivered. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in Lake Station

When you deal specifically with an auto transport provider that means you will be interacting with the actual person or business that will be moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the enterprise. All auto transport carriers in Lake Station have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their research to confirm this. These car carriers will serve a particular number of routes and locations in order to provide effective service and remain successful. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the ideal customers who will match the routes they take, which means more effective service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same price whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as costs are based mainly on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great price.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No car hauler in Lake Station is authorized to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common items you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Lake Station auto hauler you should look at your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. Some gasoline is required to start your automobile and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the added weight it adds.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Lake Station auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Lake Station auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. 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 location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Lake Station car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lake Station

To make certain you’re getting the best car shipping service in Lake Station there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every competent auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Distinction Between Lake Station Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Lake Station auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. This type of truck is typically 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 account depending on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Lake Station

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Lake Station you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.