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Vehicle Transport in Big Pine Key FL

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Big Pine Key, 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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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 Big Pine Key, FL.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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The auto transport market delivers a practical way to move your autos across long distances for a comparatively low rate. Instead of trying to transfer numerous vehicles on your own, you can simply employ a company to deal with the job rapidly and safely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the proper hauler and options may seem difficult. In this article we’ll review the alternatives and facts that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Big Pine Key. The majority of car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer you a variety of carrier alternatives. 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 explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Big Pine Key Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Big Pine Key, then you may be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before picking a service.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of communicating with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it increases competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Big Pine Key

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Big Pine Key auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the perfect choice for their clients.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Big Pine Key from moving vehicles with personal possessions in them. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not ship your car with a full tank of gas.

Although your vehicle will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be placed 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 fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better determine any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Big Pine Key car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an examination of the vehicle at this time to document any damages that are on the body. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. One more Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may occur in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Big Pine Key companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s charges. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top end or collector’s car.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Big Pine Key

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Big Pine Key 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 getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. Finally, 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 basic knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Big Pine Key

Going with a Big Pine Key auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches 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 usually 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 based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Big Pine Key

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Big Pine Key you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.