JonG

Better than expected

Went great, I am glad I used these folks. The car was picked up on time and delivered as requested. The driver kept me informed at all times. Great move. Thanks

Bob

JonGBetter than expected
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Enclosed Auto Transport to Florida Check List

It’s that time of year again! The snow is coming in a few months, the north is prepping to ice over, and you’re looking to the sunny beaches of Florida for your winter getaway. But you need to get your car there so you can fully enjoy all that Florida has to offer you. What’s the best way to do that? Hire one of the top auto transport companies in Florida!

We know your car is your baby, and that’s why we offer options on how we can transport it for you. If you’re looking to bring your car with you and don’t want to expose it to weather conditions along the way, and decrease the risk of damage, then our enclosed auto transport option is perfect for you! In this post we will talk about some things you should do when prepping your car for auto transport.

Can I Pack Personal Items In My Car?

It is best not to leave any personal belongings in the car during transportation. In fact, most auto transport companies won’t ship cars with personal items in them. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most basic is that there are D.O.T. regulations against many personal items being transported in cars. Most carriers are not licensed or insured to transport household items. Also, the additional weight can put carriers over their weight limit, delaying the cars arrival and possibly increasing the shipping cost. Also, items of value could be stolen from your vehicle.

Here is a brief list of prohibited items:

  • No live items, including pets and plants. No perishable products can be packed.
  • No personal or valuable items, including watches, personal paperwork, cash, jewelry, precious metals or other personal items.
  • No dangerous items, this includes items that can cause a fire or explosion, ranging from ammunition to aerosols, matches, fireworks, gasoline and propane. This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, but a bit of common sense should help you know what to avoid leaving in your car if you want a smooth and quick auto transport to Florida or anywhere else in the country.
  • No illegal items. This is pretty obvious, but needs to be mentioned. You may not have drugs or contraband in your car during the auto transportation process. What may not be obvious to everyone, is that you are also not allowed to transport anything that could be considered illegal without the proper paperwork, including guns (in some states), certain prescription medication, and needles. Keep in mind that anything you plan on packing in your car needs to be legal in all states that your car will be transported through.
  • Vehicle Preparation Checklist
    • Wash your vehicle and inspect and describe any damages with your auto transport company.
    • Remove all personal items from the car (don’t forget the trunk).
    • Turn off your car alarm system.
    • Make sure your gas tank is no more than 1/8 to 1/4 full.
    • Check the battery, fluids, and tire pressure.
    • Patch any holes or open seams on convertible tops to prevent debris from entering the car.

    Also keep in mind that anything left inside your car is generally not covered by auto shipping insurance, because of this anything you leave in your car while it is being transported on an enclosed auto transport truck will not be replaced if damaged. If you have any questions about what can and can’t be left in a car for transport, please call one of our transport professionals today and we will be glad to answer any questions you have and help you prep for your open truck transport to Florida!

    JonGEnclosed Auto Transport to Florida Check List
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    Auto Transport from New York to Florida

    Get your car from New York to Florida with the most dependable auto transport company!

    Convenience and efficiency is what drives the auto transport & car shipping business. It’s somewhat ironic that cars are transported since they themselves are designed and built to provide transportation. Millions of cars, however, must be carried by truck every year for a variety of reasons.

    New cars can’t be driven to their respective dealerships because consumers would consider them used vehicles. New cars, moving, college, and job relocation are the biggest reasons people need their cars moved across the country.

    Why would these reasons be the most often for a person or company to use an auto transporter? Well, new cars as mentioned, can be driven cross country, but then they would become a used car which will sell for much less. When people are moving, they may have to drive a moving truck and not have someone to drive their car, so it’s just easier to have it shipped or they need to move quickly and a drive would take too long, so having an auto transporter move the car for them is much easier and offers them a way to have their car where they need it. In the case of college, every fall and summer students move in and out of their dorms. Some are not going to school close to home and don’t want to make the long drive home, but still need their cars for the off time. So in these cases, hiring an auto transporter makes sure they have their car where they need it, both at school and when at home.

    Methods of Auto Transport

    Vehicles can be transported in a number of ways. But most people don’t need expensive methods like air transport to get their car to Florida from New York, a simple open or enclosed carrier will do the trick!

    When a person is looking into moving their car they have a number of choices: open transport, enclosed transport, and door-to-door.

    Open Auto Transport

    In this type of car transport, your vehicle(s) will be shipped to its destination with the help of an open carrier. The only drawback associated to this type of transportation is that the vehicles are more likely to experience environmental damages during transportation. But, the damages happen very rarely. This type of transportation service is what most people see when driving and pass by a truck transporting cars that are all piled on the back of it. This is the cheapest mode of car transportation.

    Enclosed Auto Transport

    Enclosed car transport is just opposite to the open mode of car transportation. Here, the vehicles are vigilantly shipped with the use of an enclosed carrier, thus the level of safety in this type of transportation is quite higher compared to open mode. The enclosed transportation is basically used for moving expensive and delicate cars from one location to another and it is the most expensive mode of transportation because of the quality and safety provided to vehicles while in transportation.

    Door-to-Door Auto Transport

    Suncoast Auto Transport also offers door-to-door vehicle transport services where your car is picked up from your address and delivered to the actual destination safely and securely. This helps you to save lots of time and energy. Due to hectic schedules and shortage of time, most people today opt for door-to-door auto transport services.

    Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Transport

    This is another method of car transportation where the company is responsible for shipping the car from one terminal to another. When the car reaches the target terminal it is locked in the storage facility and the owners of the cars are responsible for collecting the vehicles from the storage facility and driving them to their final destination. Or the owner of the car can arrange for it to be picked up and shipped a second time from where it is dropped off.

    As you can see, there are a number of ways to get your car where you want it to be! And Suncoast Auto Transport is here to help you with all of them. Over the next few posts we will be talking about how to prep your car for all these different forms of Auto Transport so you will be ready for whatever trip you have lined up next.

    JonGAuto Transport from New York to Florida
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    Great service all around !

    Mike communicated often and even took pictures and forwarded to me. Real Pros! My vehicle wasn’t running so they had to be creative to get it offloaded safely. Great job with this. Agreed to deliver at my garage with no additional charge. Would gladly use again.

    Guyh

    JonGGreat service all around !
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    Online Auto Transport Reviews

    The internet is an amazing thing – it has revolutionized how we do business, how we interact with one another, how we socialize and how we get our news. It’s completely changed how we shop and how we see the marketplace; whereas before, shopping was almost a social exercise, today it’s about getting the most bang for your buck. And with the internet you’re able to research and find the company that is the best fit for you and for your budget.

    Online reviews today are a huge part of any company; and these can be a great way to see what actual customers have thought of their experience with an auto transporter as well as seeing how good the customer service for an auto transporter is. Customers can see how other customers fared using the services, and if they have a bad reputation as a car shipper they are going to have a harder time finding paying customers.

    It’s become more about customer retention in the auto transport industry, which is great news for customers like you, because it means finding a dependable auto transporter is easier than ever. Everyone’s trying to one-up each other to be the best in the business, and this is why as a customer you really should read as many auto transport reviews of prospective shippers as you can. One of the best websites for this is www.transportreviews.com, the leading auto transport review website on the internet. Any shipper who considers themselves worth their weight in salt will be a member of Transport Reviews, and it is often one of the first things a new company does when setting themselves up to ship vehicles.

    Since all auto shipping companies should be on the website, if you find a shipper that isn’t, you should do your homework to figure out why. Maybe they’re brand new and haven’t had a chance yet, but if they’ve been around a while and aren’t on Transport Reviews you should probably find another company. Transport Reviews is unique in that they have a system for kicking out fake reviews – only real customers can post reviews on their website and they also allow shippers to respond to disputes, so you can read both sides of a bad review and determine for yourself who was wrong and who was right and whether or not the review is indicative of that company’s overall services.

    Reputation is important, and with reading online reviews you will be able to judge very quickly which auto transporters are worth working with and which ones are not. Please take some time to read our reviews and give us a call if you have any concerns as we want you to feel safe and secure with shipping your car here at Suncoast Auto Transport.

    JonGOnline Auto Transport Reviews
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    Auto Transport to Nebraska

    Omaha is a city in the county seat of Douglas County, in the U.S. state of Nebraska. Omaha is home to a population of over 434,000 residents in the city proper, and is the largest city in the state of Nebraska by population and is currently the 42nd largest city in the United States. Omaha also anchors

    JonGAuto Transport to Nebraska
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    How to ship a classic car

    We are a society that’s always on the go, and this has made our cars a whole lot more important to us. Whether it is getting to work on time, or moving the kids from one place to another, we spend a lot of time in our cars! Some people even live in their cars for their jobs, going from one meeting to the next. All of this time spent in our vehicles, makes keeping them in good running order an essential part of our lives.

    This is why it is important to do your homework when choosing an auto transport company to move your car. The same way you will only allow your family car to be worked on by a trustworthy mechanic and deal only with a notable car dealership, you will want to choose a reputable auto transport company that will create a great car shipping experience, should the need arise to ship your vehicle.

    If you will go through great lengths to take care of your everyday vehicle, what would you do to be sure your collectible car is safe when being shipped?

    Here are 5 Ways to Create a Smooth Car Shipping Experience for Your Collectible Car

    Seek Simplicity in Expertise When you are looking for a car shipping company to transport your car, make sure you find one who takes pride in what they do and understands how to handle the process, and keeps it as simple and straightforward for you as possible. You want to work with someone who is knowledgeable in the industry, and can walk you through the whole process to make sure your collectable car makes the trip in perfect condition.

    If you cannot get straightforward, helpful assistance from customer service, chances are your vehicle won’t receive the same service when it comes time for delivery either. If your everyday vehicle is your mainstay, your collectible is most likely your baby. The process should feel easy and not leave you nervous about the transport at all.

    Consider a Closed Trailer for Your Collectible Car

    This will cost a bit more, but it will be worth it! When you are shipping a collectible car you want to take every assurance it is going to be safe and free from anything that could cause damage while it is in transport. Open carriers are exposed to the elements and weather, this increases your collectable cars risk of damage. The best parts about using an enclosed transport carrier are:

    • Minimizes risk of damage • Extra added security • Protection from weather elements • Reduces risk of theft or vandalismKnowledgeable

    You want to make sure the auto transport company you are working with has worked with these types of cars before and knows how to handle them. Some classic cars and older models may need special care or may need to be loaded a certain way. Make sure the people you are working with know how to handle the type of car you’re asking them to transport for you. Your experience will more than likely match your conversations in dealing with the company, and here are some great questions to ask:

    • How many years of experience in this industry? • Inquire about outside experiences and knowledge they have surrounding antique car shows, vintage cars, and car show events. • Get into casual conversation with the representatives and even the owners on which shows they have attended, what periodicals do they enjoy, and have they ever bought or refurbished a vehicle?

    If they love cars as much as you do, there is a better chance your car will be well cared for. You don’t want to trust just anyone to transporting your car, make sure you are working with the right people who will handle your car with as much care and respect as you would.

    Passion

    When it comes to everyday business, from a car enthusiast to an art gallery owner, the key to success is passion.

    • Can other representatives of the company relate to your passion for rare cars? • Is this more than just a business endeavor? • Is it a way of life, a hobby and a passion? • Do they have a blog or website that reflects this passion?

    Chances are if they show passion in their work, then your car will receive the same respect and tender loving care that the owner him/herself would appreciate and expect. Getting to know the company you are working with and making sure they understand how valuable your car is, both, to you and as a show piece, can give you peace of mind. The more you know about the company, the easier and less stressful the shipping of your car will be.

    On Being Equipped

    Whether you are repairing something in your home or shipping your collectible car, you want to know how well equipped the business owner is for the service.

    • Do they specialize in shipping luxury and rare automobiles? • What kind of added equipment does the company use that you won’t find elsewhere? • Are there stoppers put in place? Are additional soft- ties or straps used? • What about netting and protective wrappings? • What type of container – is it stacked?

    Ask the right questions and you will find your auto transport experience will be much easier for you to handle and a lot less stressful! If you’re worried about moving your collectable car, we would love to offer advice and give you a helping hand to make the process as simple and pain free as possible. Fill out a quote request or give us a call today to see how Suncoast Auto Transport can help you!

    JonGHow to ship a classic car
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    Auto Transport New York & New York City

    As you most likely know, New York City is the largest city, by population, in New York State. It is also the largest city in the entire United States by population, which sits at over 8.49 million in the city proper. It is considered a global power city and is widely regarded as the cultural and financial capital of the entire world. Over 800 languages are spoken in the city, which also makes it the most linguistically diverse city in the world – not surprising, considering it is the largest terminal of legal immigration in the United States. It has been the largest city in the country since 1790, and served as the U.S. Capital from 1785 until 1790. It is considered one of the most economically powerful cities in the entire world. New York City anchors a metropolitan area that is home to over 20 million residents – that’s more than the entire state of New York – and a wider Combined Statistical Area of over 23.6 million. As such, New York City is perhaps the most popular auto transport location in the entire United States and sees more auto transportation traffic through the city than any other. Because of the size of the city and the sprawl of its metropolitan area, most carriers will have an easy time getting to or from just about anywhere that’s even close to it, including areas in New York State, New Jersey or Connecticut. This generally has a good effect on your shipping price, as it tends to keep your costs lower, and also reduces pickup and delivery windows as carriers can easily include New York City in their routes.

    There are a number of ways that carriers can get into or out of New York City. As a major nexus along the Interstate Highway System, New York City enjoys access via numerous interstates, in particular Interstate 95. I-95 is the main north-south corridor on the east coast and connects cities as far north as Maine with cities as far south as Miami, Florida – and all those cities in-between. It also connects to almost every major east-west interstate in the country and numerous auxiliary interstates along the way, giving auto transport carriers unprecedented access to areas across the eastern seaboard and beyond. With New York City’s dense layout, many areas of the city proper will be hard for carriers to get into or out of, so don’t be surprised if you have to meet your carrier somewhere nearby.

    Most of the time, the climate in New York City won’t affect your shipment, at least during any month that doesn’t fall in the winter. Snowfall is a common occurrence in the winter, but 348661_4641in the denser areas of New York it tends to melt before it accumulates too much. The further north you go, the worse it can get, but on the whole the weather won’t affect your shipping prices or your services all that much. Make sure to talk to your auto transport representative to learn more about it. Sometimes the city can get hit by heavy rains and even hurricanes, as evidenced by Sandy’s landfall a few years back, but that’s pretty rare, and on the whole won’t affect your prices or services in any negative ways.

    If you’re interested in shipping a vehicle to or from New York City, make sure you take a minute to fill out our free online auto transport quote request form. We would love to talk with you and help you get your car transported to New York or out of the city! If you need help with your auto transport in New York please give us a call today at 800-568-5970.

    JonGAuto Transport New York & New York City
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    Austin Auto Show

    For all of you car show and movie enthusiasts! Come see the most iconic cars in television and movie history at the Austin Auto Show this weekend 4/24/15-4/26/15. Travel back in time with the Delorean time machine from Back to the Future, experience K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider, capture ghosts with ECTO-1 seen in Ghostbusters, eat Scooby snacks in The Mystery Machine featured in Scooby Do, and your kids will love Toyota Sienna’s one-of-a-kind SpongeBob van. If that’s not enough to bring you to Austin; how about testing your racing skills on the Ford Racing Simulator…..now that sounds like fun!

    For those of you that are only interested in seeing or buying one of the new 2015 vehicles featured at The Austin Auto Show get off your couches and come to Austin. Some of the 2015 participating manufacturers include: Ford, Austin Martin, Rolls Royce, Dodge, Fiat, Toyota, Bentley, Jeep, BMW, Jetta, Chrysler, GMC, Lotus, Nissan, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Land Rover, and much more.

    You could also be one of the first to get behind the wheel of the all-new 2015 F-150, the toughest, smartest, most capable F150 ever! Participants can also enter for a chance to win an all-new 2015 F-150! Stop by the Ram Ride and Drive tent and sign up to test drive the 2016 Ram trucks! Be the first to check out the hot new features! Ram will be handing out FREE tickets to the Austin Auto Show to those who sign up to take a test drive! For those who love Toyota, get behind the wheel of the re-designed Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Tundra! Test driving is 100% free and 100% fun, so why not come and take a spin in what may be your next ride!

    If you’re afraid your kids will be bored….well, think again! Come experience the all new kids zone, featuring: photos with the ice queen and snow princess, meet and get pictures with Scooby Doo, balloon animals, face painting, bounce house, and more!

    If you’re planning to attend the Austin Car Show and expect to be bringing home a new “Toy,” but you don’t live in Austin and will need auto transportation services to get your new vehicle home, we are here to help. At Suncoast Auto Transport we are your dependable auto transport company and can provide you with a full range of options to ensure you are provided with quality service and experience to suit your needs. Our senior transport coordinators are always on hand to help you and answer any questions you may have. We ship to all 50 states and you can be assured our drivers are the best and most reliable in the business. With our competitive prices and impressive number of happy customers, we make sure there is no need to go elsewhere.

    JonGAustin Auto Show
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    How to prep for Auto Transport…

    When preparing to work with any auto transport company, there are a few things to keep in mind. Shipping a vehicle takes time, money and energy. Oftentimes a lot more than what you thought it would. Budgeting and time management are crucial when shipping a car and can mean the difference between a great, cost-effective experience and a shipping experience that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth and a hole in your wallet – not to mention an empty driveway. If you’re finding yourself in need of auto transport services, you’re going to have to plan ahead if you want to have a great shipping experience. Auto transportation is not for the lazy or for procrastinators; it is very hard to have a smooth auto transport experience when you wait till the last minute.Always Budget Budgeting is the most important thing that you could possibly do when you start shipping a car. While it may not be a huge cost compared to other things, but depending on the route and where you’re going it can add up. Fuel, distance, and route all play a role in the cost. Getting quotes will allow you to be able to budget the shipping in and make your life much easier. These are major factors in the price, and will affect how quickly your shipment will get picked up and how much you’ll end up paying too.Give Yourself Time Timeframes are important when shipping a car, particularly if you’re crunched for time and need to get things going as soon as possible. As you well know, waiting until the last minute is usually the worst thing you can do for many things, and auto transport is one of them. We suggest you start to plan a few weeks out, to give yourself enough time to cover all the bases, and make sure all the needs for your move are in place. It’s important to remember that time management in the auto transport industry will end up saving you money.Do Your Homework It can really help you understand the process and make the best choice if you take time to read as much as you can about the vehicle shipping industry and take the time to talk to an auto transport specialist who can give you answers to most questions. We have one that you can contact via our toll-free telephone number. Getting in the know and understanding how the industry works and what you can expect when shipping a vehicle will make all the difference in the world.If you’re interested in shipping a car and need some quotes to get it moved, make sure to fill out our free online auto transport quote request form – if you do, you’ll receive a free quote shortly. To get in touch with one of our helpful auto transport representatives, make sure to call us at 888-791-9148 and get in touch with a live agent ready to help you through the whole process and plan your car shipping for you.
    JonGHow to prep for Auto Transport…
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