Car Shipping in Lake Charles LA

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 Charles, 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 Charles, LA.

Are you on the quest for reliable auto transport services in Lake Charles? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport procedure every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one location to another safely. For the most part, auto shippers will supply “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Before jumping into the Lake Charles auto shipping companies, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some agencies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

Lake Charles Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get specific details. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is essentially the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. A car transporter in Lake Charles will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to connect customers with their services. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management company. These brokers also stay in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Lake Charles

When you choose to seek out a Lake Charles auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Lake Charles auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically 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 wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best prices and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Most individuals are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Lake Charles from transporting personal merchandise included in vehicles. Common household items 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 swift inspection of the interior of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before shipping with a Lake Charles car carrier. It’s advisable to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your fuel level too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A car 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.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

In order to document the condition of your car before turning it over to a Lake Charles auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lake Charles auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows 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 driver and consumer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current motor 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 Lake Charles auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Lake Charles for Your Needs

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Lake Charles to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. 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. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Lake Charles

Going with a Lake Charles 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 option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. 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 motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Lake Charles you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.