Car Transport in Lithia FL

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 Lithia, 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 Lithia, FL.

The car shipping market can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the most effective selection possible for moving your car or truck. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and calling the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Lithia. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lithia

First, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Lithia you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem complicated, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Lithia chances are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most reliable shipping solution for their customers. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Lithia

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move numerous 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 moving vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance 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 believe they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Lithia auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport requirements.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Most people are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Lithia from shipping personal items included in vehicles. Typical household products that might be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the interior of your motor vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

Do not ship your car with a full gas tank.

When utilizing a Lithia auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gas either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Lithia auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Lithia arrives to retrieve your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. 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 documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle 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 taken place during the shipping process.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Lithia car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lithia

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping service in Lithia there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are saying about the auto haulers services.

Lithia Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Going with a Lithia 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. While most auto transport businesses will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Lithia

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Lithia auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.