Vehicle Shipping in Lake Ridge VA

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 Ridge, 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 Ridge, VA.

Auto transport firms exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of trying to transport numerous vehicles on your own, you can simply seek the services of a company to deal with the job rapidly and safely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the ideal hauler and options may seem difficult. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to choose a car hauler in Lake Ridge that will fit your needs and move your car properly. Many car haulers will carry anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer you a variety of carrier alternatives. These options may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. But first, we’ll explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

What is an Auto Broker in Lake Ridge?

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Lake Ridge. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one location to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but rather they have established a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will contact a variety of Lake Ridge auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Lake Ridge

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul automobiles. The driver may be the proprietor 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. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Lake Ridge auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Each and every Lake Ridge auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be considered a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Lake Ridge auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of fuel in your car when shipping it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better discover any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

The client will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lake Ridge auto transport gets there to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. 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.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Lake Ridge auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Ensure You Select the Right Car Shipping Supplier in Lake Ridge

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Lake Ridge to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing 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. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Distinction Between Lake Ridge Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Going with a Lake Ridge auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally 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 consideration based upon on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Lake Ridge

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. When first browsing auto transport companies in Lake Ridge you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.