Car Transport in Lake City MI

Answers To Your Questions
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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 City, 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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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 City, MI.

The auto transport industry delivers a convenient way to move your automobiles across long distances for a fairly cheap rate. Rather than relocating their vehicles long ranges on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a secure environment. However, if you’re not acquainted with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the appropriate hauler and options may seem difficult. In this article we’ll evaluate the alternatives and information that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in Lake City. Most car haulers will carry anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer a variety of carrier options. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can choose to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. But first, we’ll describe the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lake City

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lake City it’s essential to have a good understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Lake City

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be getting a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Lake City auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport needs.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Lake City 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. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas 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 lead to shipping problems.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

Always carry out an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lake City 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 much easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The client will be given a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Lake City comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is hauling your car and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a wise course of action to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Lake City 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. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Lake City

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Lake City service to go with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lake City

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 using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars 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.

Deciding on The Best Auto Transport Service in Lake City

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection 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. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake City that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.