Car Transportation in Lakeland TN

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 Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, TN.

Moving a vehicle is not a very challenging 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 actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and contacting the right Lakeland auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering 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 important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.

How to Tell the Difference Between Lakeland Auto Carriers and Brokers

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lakeland it’s important to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the market works. The procedure is much easier than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Lakeland. 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 circumstance. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They will take into account 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 process until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

Finding a Car Carrier in Lakeland

Going with a Lakeland auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck that will be hauling 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 designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a variety of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with clients.

Car Shipping Tips

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No auto shipper is permitted to transport any object that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. So auto transport in Lakeland is unable to move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When employing a Lakeland auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s advisable to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The automobile will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to better identify any scratches or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage happened during shipping. It’s very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lakeland auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. The car owner and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Lakeland auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price tag of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Lakeland

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Lakeland service to go with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. 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.

Difference Between Lakeland Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your motor vehicle would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be mindful that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. 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.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Lakeland

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, 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. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lakeland that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.