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Car Transportation in Lake City PA

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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 Lake City, 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 Lake City, PA.

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 can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a tiny bit of homework you can make the very best decision possible for hauling your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and contacting the right Lake City auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. 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. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it must arrive by. One of the most essential distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Lake City?

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lake City it’s important to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the market works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Brokers are essentially the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Lake City negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your vehicle. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Lake City auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Each and every Lake City auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping troubles.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

When using a Lake City car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to recognize dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Lake City car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Lake City 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 always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Lake City

There are several ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Lake City that you’ve chosen. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are saying about the auto haulers services.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Lake City

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. This same concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more economical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Lake City

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a regular 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 exploring auto transport companies in Lake City you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.