Top Ways to Transport a Car

Have you ever thought about how you would transport your car if you were moving far away? Probably not…it seems like the easiest way to transport a car is to just drive it! However, depending on the circumstances and distance of your move, it might actually be better for you to look into some other, less obvious options. These options could help you save gas, avoid adding mileage, wear and tear to your car, and help ease the overall moving experience for you.

Hire a truck

One of the most popular ways to move a car long distances is to hire a truck. This might be a long flat-bed truck. These trucks hold anywhere from two to ten cars and are designed exclusively for hauling cars long distances. Companies will usually offer you a two-week time frame for delivery, so if it is not essential for you to have your car as soon as you arrive somewhere, this is usually the most cost-efficient option. There are some companies that offer enclosed trucks for long-distance transportation. They are generally a bit more expensive, but you will avoid having your car exposed to the elements on this long journey.  Hiring a truck is a popular option for those who do not want to add mileage or possible damage to their car, and do not need the space of their car to help with the move.

Hire a driver

If, however, you do not mind the mileage, or the wear and tear, but simply do not want to engage on a multi-day road trip yourself, it might be a good idea to hire someone to drive the car for you.  This way, you can still use the trunk and other parts of the car for storage (something that is usually not allowed with car transport services, due to the liability for damage), but avoid actually having to drive the car yourself. There are professional driving services that offer drivers for hire for a set rate. Or, you can always consider hiring a trusted friend or acquaintance to do the job for you – this will probably end up being a little cheaper, but with less insurance than going through a legitimate company.

Overseas driving

The final situation is one which involves transport over water. Clearly you cannot drive it yourself, or hire a truck or driver to take the car for you. In this case, your only option is by way of cargo container. Look into cargo shipping companies to get a price range, and see where the car will be picked up and dropped off.

While this all might seem like a bit of a hassle, the nice thing is if you transport your car, you do not have to buy a new one when you get to your new home! On the other hand, if you are looking to buy a new car you might be able to find a better deal even if the car is not located close to you. You may want to look on some classifieds websites from neighboring countries to see if you find a car at a particularly cheap price, in which case it could make sense to have it send to you. For example, if you live in Africa, you may want to look at a free classifieds website. In this case, you could search for used cars for sale in Nigeria and possibly save on the overall amount you spend for your next car.

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Can a Moving Company Move your Vehicle?

When you take the tough decision to move houses you come to realize the almost literal note of the expression. It is true- you do not really move houses but you move everything else in your house. And even though packing can be a pain it is nothing compared to what follows next- transportation. 

There are a lot of companies that can help you with that and yet you still cannot help it but think of whether the goods will be safe, will they break them, will they lose them? If you spend enough time researching, you will choose the right movers for you and will eventually calm down when you see they are professionals. But there is still one unsolved problem and that is: “Can a moving company move your vehicle?”

The answer is:”Yes.”  It is no lie that most such movers are specialized in moving household goods only. Some of them may indeed offer vehicle transportation but how sure can you be in the professionalism of them fighting at both frontiers? Taking care of one’s car or even bus is different from moving their old couch and some pictures. The latter can be of value and a lot of possessions are delicate and breakable so it takes a well-trained specialist to deliver them safe in one’s new home. And that is exactly why there are different companies providing services according to your needs. If there are any that are specialized in household goods and in transporting vehicles – that is okay but make sure they really are good. Other than that we strongly recommend you choose separate moving companies for your belongings and vehicles.

Once you find proper professionalmovers check out their price. It can vary a lot based on the distance. Also, another thing you should remember to look up is their insurance policy. Damaged house hold goods can be upsetting so imagine what a damaged vehicle can do to your nervous system. After all, you are hiring professionals because you are looking for security and that is exactly what they are due to provide you with.

What is more the main reason why you should focus on searching for a movingcompany that specializes in vehicle transportation is that you can never be sure what happens on the road. Cars going over speed limitations and bad traffic can cause a lot of problems to an inexperienced driver. What is more you should mind government regulations. In many cases entering a new country/ state while transporting a vehicle is very strict. Only a reliable moving company can handle regulations and do the work they are hired to do as smooth as possible.

Plus, not every company has it but see to it that yours offers tracking services. If they do, you should know that it is a certain sign they are professionals. Furthermore, you will be informed of every step your automobile takes and you will know its whereabouts every 30 or 60 minutes. You cannot be any calmer than you will be with tracking services. That is why movers transporting vehicles only is what you need. 

Guest Post by Anthony

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The Importance of Car Insurance When Transferring Your Vehicle

Once you have made the decision of shipping your car and have already went through all the details concerning this undertaking, you might think that it is all over with. However, this is not true. What you have to sustain now is the agonizing concern whether your vehicle will arrive to the appointed destination intact. Even though removal companies have become so professional up to the point that they barely allow anything to happen to your car, there are still some unforeseen factors that could damage the vehicle. That is why you might want to consider the option of insurance.

The type of coverage you will choose depends on the type of vehicle you will be shipping. For example, some insurance policies do not cover antique or exotic cars, whereas other policies may not have enough coverage for expensive brand new cars. Bottom line is that there simply isn't any insurance that covers all types of damages, but, however, you will need to be informed about all the options. When you decide to work with a certain car shipping or movingcompany, make sure you share all your concerns with them and ask about all different insurance policies they offer. The professionals in the company will then be able to advice you on which the best choice for you would be.

Bear in mind that there are types of damages that will not be covered, regardless of the insurance policy's type. Such damages include floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and so on. As it is basically easy to understand why these are not covered, there are also some exclusions that might surprise you: employee theft, negligence, etc. That is why, always read even the smallest print before signing. Insurance policies are sometimes overly sophisticated in terms of words, so be sure to ask about anything you don't fully understand.

If it happens so that you are not satisfied with the overall result of the shipping (any damages inflicted on your car), you have the freedom of filing a claim. However, this leads to the fact that it is good to make a couple of pictures of your car prior to the shipping. This way, you will have a proof of your car's original condition.
In a nutshell, there are all different kinds of insurance policies; you just need to make some research in order to find the one most suitable for you.

Author Bio: Nicole enjoys sharing home organizing tips. She is an expert in car shipping services.

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Preparing Your Car for a Long Distance Shipping

Even if it may sound a bit strange, shipping your car can prove to be way more cost-effective rather than driving it when it comes to moving to longer distances. The reasons for this are more than a few – from high gas prices to food and lodgings expenses along the way. Not to mention the high risk you take when embarking on such a long journey. Especially if you are going to be the only driver, fatigue plays a vital role and can even be the cause of a road accident. So what better way to ensure your car a safe transportation and keep yourself out of harm's way than hiring a professional car shipping company? However, once you have found the one you can rely on and you have hired it to ship your car, you need to take a few things into consideration.

Clean and check
Give your car a proper bath. Clean it up nice and thoroughly before it is loaded on the truck and hits the road. But along the journey, it will get dirty again, so what's the point of this? It's pretty simple. You need your car to be as clean as possible in order for you to scrutinize its exterior, looking for any scratches, dents, etc. In other words, to be familiar with its look before the transportation. The shippers are the ones responsible for your vehicle, so if anything happens to it, they are completely liable for any damage caused to your car during transportation. A few pictures to work as proof might also be a good idea.

Don't forget the inside
What you will also need to do is to inspect the inside of your car. In this case, the reason is exactly the opposite. Shipping companies cannot be held responsible for the disappearing of anything that is in the vehicle. So, in case you have a brand new GPS or an expensive car stereo, you might want to take them out and keep them with you.

Have your car technically checked
The final move to preparing your car for a long distance transportation or moving is to have it technically checked. Make sure it doesn't have any leaking of oil, grease, etc. This might cause severe damage to your car while being transported.

With your car loaded onto the truck and all your possessions packed there is nothing else you need to do than to check the driving rules in your new hometown, as well as all the details around registering your car.

Grace is a passionate writer who enjoys sharing her home and car relocation tips. Stay tuned for more.

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Insuring Your Vehicle in Transport

For some people, it is more practical to transport a vehicle than to drive it to wherever they are going. Whether it is high mileage you are trying to avoid or you are transporting it overseas, nothing will chap your hide more than getting your car back damaged—especially when you are transporting to protect it in the first place. It makes sense then that you’ll want to pay particular attention to what kind of insurance your transportation company utilizes and to understand what is covered. Here are a few tips on protecting and insuring a vehicle in transport.

1.       Show me the certificate

The very first thing you should always do when considering an auto transport company is request a copy of their insurance certificate. Every single auto transport company is required by law to carry a valid insurance certificate. No exceptions. They should be more than willing and able to produce one at your behest—and if they don’t, you might consider another company.

2.       Ask questions

If there is anything on the certificate that is unclear, ask questions about it. Figure out whether or not you’ll be required to pay a deductible if there is any damage, or if all parts of your car are covered or not. Get everything in writing as well, especially if any guarantees or promises come up.

3.       You might already be covered

Some auto insurance companies and policies will cover vehicles being transported, and some will not. Check with your insurance company, or consider picking up an insurer that does cover you.

4.       Take care of personal belongings

You won’t find many auto transport companies that will insure against damage or theft of personal belongings left in a vehicle, nor will they insure against damage done to the interior by loose personal belongings. It’s a safe bet just to take them out of your car so that nothing is banging around the cab during transport.

5.       Inspect your vehicle

The auto transport company, both before and after they take possession of your vehicle, will do an inspection of your vehicle. You should be present for both, and snap some photos while you’re at it. Keep the photos for your own personal records, in case there is a discrepancy between you and the transport company.

6.       Be careful with the Bill of Lading

After the post-transport inspection, you will be required to fill out the Bill of Lading. This is a document that reports the condition of the vehicle after it has arrived. Before you sign it and hand it over, do a thorough inspection of your car. You’re not just looking at the body work here—go ahead and run the engine, check the undercarriage, the whole nine yards—because once you and the transport driver sign off on the Bill of Lading, the auto transport company is not responsible for anything you missed. If there is damage, note it on the bill and get a hold of the auto shipping company directly for reimbursement.

Keep in mind that the majority of vehicles arrive off of transport carriers without any problems whatsoever. Still, it never hurts to take the extra time to ensure that your vehicle is protected by getting the skinny on auto transport insurance.

Guest Post Author: Mark McCrell is an auto aficionado who loves to drive his 1974 Buick LaSabre around town and write about all things auto. He currently blogs for the website AutoInsuranceQuotes, which specializes in cheap auto insurance.

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The Rise of Auto Shipping Business

Auto shipping companies usually have the very best of all the services. However, the people who want to transport their vehicles from one place to another have to be peculiar about the different companies as to how much reliable each one is.

Auto transport industry is one of its kinds in the market. It did not rise to power until the late 90’s because of the high demand of the auto shipping by users. The history of its rise is related to the economic crisis that hit the countries worldwide. Where people were not even to pay for the mortgage loans, and their jobs started to come under the pressures of low paying, they had to make sure they move to some other places where they could find better jobs.

Financial Crunch

The financial crunch rose all through US and gave rise to the percentage of people who started living in green belts. Houses were on sale by the banks but there were no buyers. The banks did not have any consumer ship left. Then the government had to step in. the banks were financed, given loans, the houses were given free to people based on giving the overseas a permanent residence permit and citizen ship in the countries and so on.

This led a lot of moving and shifting from one place to another. The car shipping industry finally had an opportunity to avail. As the crunch still is an ongoing issue, people keep on moving to find good paying jobs, healthy financial conditions, and safer places to live.

Terrorist Attacks

One other reason why people have started to move is due to the unsafe conditions in places where you do not have the confidence that once you step out of your house, you will return alive. Yes, I am talking about the suicide bombing frequency rising in the eastern countries and the Asian specific areas.

Some of the above-mentioned aspects have created a chaos out of which entrepreneurs have directed out the auto shipping opportunities.

Services of Auto Shipping

All around the world, the car shipping companies offer plenty of services that are useful for all the users. I am not being humble, but yes, the companies make sure that your cars reach the destinations safely. 

They offer the following services:

1)      Car insurance

2)      Licensing and registration check-up

3)      Online transport services booking

4)      Online monitoring system

5)      Types of moving equipment to choose from

6)      Car condition report

7)      Car condition matching and reimbursements in case of the car is damaged

8 Car wash and car maintenance services before shipping etc

All you need to do is to make sure you know about the laws and regulations of car shipping in and out of your own country/specific district. Apart from that, you can search for many companies providing the same services, compare them, read their user testimonials and then find out which company is the best in its services, with being reliable and affordable.

Author’s Biography:

Najeen Zahoor writes professionally for all the new and old issues related to cars and other vehicles. She realized at a very small age that she could go on with writing for technical stuff being her expertise later on. She is now an expert in writing about a hundred posts every week or so. Her expertise resides in the category of car transport, car issues, and types of vehicle shipping and so on. She recommends her readers to visit http://www.autotransportdepot.com/ for more knowledge over cars and their issues.

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Shipping Your Car Across the Country Safely

Interstate car transport is a service that is provided by a company. You, the customer, will enter an agreement with the company, provide documentation and agree to let the company load your car in their transporter trucks.  Most people who do this the first time find it difficult to cope with the anxiety of handing over such a precious possession. What if your car doesn’t arrive in one piece? What if the cost of the car transport service is too high?

Deciding to let someone else ship a car from one state to another can be a big decision because your car may be one of the most valuable possessions you can own. But the alternative is not appealing at all because of the tedious chore of driving your car all the way to the location, spending time in motels or gas stations to rest, and paying hundreds on gas. If you’re considering car transport interstate, here are some of the things you should know to avoid pitfalls, and to save time, money and effort.

Choose The Best Deal

Shopping for car shipping quotes can be similar to shopping for a high end item. You need to consider everything from insurance coverage to handling fees. You also need to pay extra for specialized service, like enclosed car transport. If you are particularly concerned about a particular car transport quote being too high for you, don’t sweat it. There are hundreds of companies all over the country that provide this kind of service.

There are some websites online that provide you with a list of companies to contact when you’re shopping for car transport quotes. When you reach the web page of the company, you will be asked what kind of model or type your car is (to estimate the weight of the car), the destination of the vehicle, and the date you want the car shipped to the location. It can be a little daunting to keep track of all the quotes you receive in your mail, but getting the best deal takes time.

Choose The Services You Need

You also need to indicate if you want enclosed car transport or standard transport. The standard transport scheme will expose your car to the elements during the trip because the car will not be covered completely during the transport process. Expect to see dust and grime all over the car as a result of choosing standard transport schemes. An enclosed transport scheme will protect your car more fully because the sides and the top part will be protected.

Choosing the right transporter needs research. Besides using the rates as a basis for your decision, you should also find out if the company you are hiring is registered with the Department of Transport. The company should be eager to give you their Motor Carrier number so that you can check the DOT website. If a company is registered, you can be more confident about handing your car over and letting them ship your vehicle to the location.

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10 Things to Have in Your Road Trip Tool Kit

When heading out on a road trip, you need to cover all bases to make sure you don’t run into trouble along the way. The easiest way to do this is to pack a road trip tool kit so any issue that may have otherwise ground your trip to a halt will only be labeled a minor inconvenience.

Below, we have listed ten things to bring with you during your road trip.

1. A Torch

If your car breaks down under the cover of darkness, no one item will be a greater comfort to you than a torch. Without it, the use of nearly every other item in this list becomes impossible.

If you can, be sure to have a spare set of batteries stored away in your glove compartment. There’s nothing worse than responsibly packing a substitute light source then remembering in the instant you need to use it that the batteries are running low.

2. Jumper Cables

These are essential in the event that you’ll need a jump-start as you cannot always guarantee that a nearby vehicle will have their own.

The great thing about jumper cables is you just have to buy them once, toss them into your kit, and not worry about them again. They’ll be there when you need them.

3. Diagonal and Needle-Nose Pliers

Diagonal and needle-nose pliers are the two items you always wish you had on you when seeing to a job with a standard pair of pliers that are just not making the cut.

Whether you just need to reach a centimeter or two around a corner or want to make the smallest of adjustments, you will never regret packing these pliers along with your standard ones.

4. An Extendable 1/2” Ratchet

Need we say more? An extendable 1/2” ratchet is one of the most useful tools you can carry with you during your road trip. This is because it will most likely be the first tool you pull out of the box should anything go wrong under the bonnet.

From tightening nuts to simply being used to tap the life back into a certain item, nothing can compare to the versatility of uses of a 1/2” ratchet.

5. Screwdrivers

Screwdrivers, much like the ratchet mentioned above, are great in that they can be used for many purposes when it comes to fixing your car up or shocking it back into life.

Any road trip tool kit would benefit from a small collection of screwdrivers, as often the types and sizes of screws on a car can vary, making it incredibly difficult to get to the area you’re after if you only pack one.

6. Bailing Wire

Bailing wire is one of those items that have no defined use yet it steps in to save the day time and again thanks to its versatility.

When looking under the bonnet it’s rare that you won’t be able to find a use for your well-packed bailing wire. From the smallest jobs to the largest, keep some on hand in your tool kit at all times. You’ll need it sooner than you think.

7. Duct Tape (and Electrical Tape)

Duct tape and electrical tape have so many uses it would be hard to write them all down on a roll of the stuff.

Whether to hold together parts under the bonnet or to stop the glove compartment from falling open, duct tape and electrical tape will play an essential role on any road trip.

8. A Fire Extinguisher

This is an added item that not everybody will be able to fit in their road trip tool kit, but if you can they can save you a lot of harm and money.

If you find yourself in the presence of a large fire you should get as far from the vehicle as possible and call 999. If, however, the fire is only small and you truly believe you can put it out, having a fire extinguisher on hand will pay for itself in an instant.

9. A Cheap, Disposable Poncho

Cheap ponchos are the ideal items to have stored away when going on a road trip, as you never know when you may be hit by a torrent of rain as you work under the bonnet.

They’re cheap, small, and lightweight meaning you can always have a few stowed away for when the situation calls for one.

10. Walking Shoes

Lastly, keeping a pair of walking shoes in your tool kit is a must during a road trip. You never know when your car might break down and you need to walk a few miles to the nearest garage  for help. This is something that would be significantly harder to do if you only had smart shoes or heels at your disposal.

About the Author

Car Shop is a leading British used car specialist, offering a broad online selection, along with showrooms across the UK.

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Steps to Prepare Your Car for Shipping

Although it sounds counter intuitive, it can often be a much more cost-effective solution to ship your car to your new home if you are moving a long distance, rather than driving it. Between skyrocketing gas prices and the costs for food and lodging along the way, paying to load your car onto a flatbed truck and have it shipped can save you a lot of time and money. Once you have identified a shipping company and negotiated the best possible price, it is time to prepare your car for shipping.

Clean and Check
The first thing you will want to do is clean it up. Clean your car before loading it onto a truck to drive hundreds or thousands of kilometers? Just so it can get dirty again? Well, yes. Because the first thing you need to do is thoroughly inspect the exterior of the car. Look out for any chipped paint, dents, or scratches. Basically, you want to be aware the condition of the car before you put it into the hands of the shippers. Generally, they will be liable for any damage incurred to the exterior of the car throughout the journey, and the only way to prove if any damage was incurred is if you know what the car looked like beforehand. Going along with this, you should take a few different photographs of the car, so you have a reference point for the state of the car prior to shipping.

Don’t Forget the Inside…
Next, you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning and inspection of the inside. This time, however, it is for the exact opposite reason. Generally, moving companies are not liable for any theft or damage to the inside of the car. So, if you have an expensive GPS or stereo system, it might be best to remove it before shipping your car. These unprotected devices are susceptible to damages or theft.

Even if shipping your car does not save a ton of money, it can still be a huge convenience, in some cases much better than driving all the way across the country, or selling your old car and getting a new one in your new hometown. Research your options and if shipping isn’t in your price range, and driving is too much of an inconvenience, browse a website with second-hand cars for sale. In this way you will get a better idea of how much it would cost for you to buy a new car in your new location. For example, one can check prices of second-hand Honda CRVs for sale on this page. With all numbers in hand, you can be sure to make the right decision. 

With your car loaded onto a moving truck, and your belongings packed and ready to go – there is really only one thing left to do – check out the driving rules and regulations in your new hometown! How long do you have to register your car? Will you have to get new license plates? And is there anything else that you should know as a driver in this new location. Your car is all set, so make sure you are as well!

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How to Extend Your Car’s Life?

In tight economic environment it is very easy to ignore small problems that you experience with the car in the beginning. It is obvious that to escape unnecessary money wastage when it comes to small repairs regarding your vehicle. But most of the times this automobile negligence begets serious troubles in future. Like your ignorance to squealing of breaks each time the car is stopped, can worsen the situation of break pads. 

This can lead to sudden break fail causing threat to lives. So, it is obvious that small inconveniences will turn into big unavoidable situations and mere expenses into major expenditures. If you don’t want to face any such circumstance then continue reading.

The car is your second best investment after your house; protect your investment by keeping in mind the following steps:

• Don’t neglect the car manual: Change the habit of throwing manuals in one corner of the house. Car manual keeps you updated with maintenance schedule that should be followed on proper times to avoid costly repairs.

• Drive smart: Try and avoid short trips a it can shorten the life of muffler. This is because when you start a cold engine there is condensation in the exhaust and if the car is not run longer enough to evaporate all the condensation, water may accumulate n the muffler. Don’t let the car sit for more than a week as fluid start to drain out.

• Keep a check on the breaks: If the breaks are not maintained properly it mat cause damage to break rotors and calipers as well and both these are very expensive to replace.

• Watch out tires: Keep them inflated as under inflated tires will decrease its life as well as mileage. Check the pressure of your tires regularly to avoid any unwanted hassle.

• Follow the routine maintenance: Don’t skip the routine maintenance of the car every six months. It is important that your car should be serviced every 6 months or 12 months, whatever time schedule is mentioned in the booklet.

• Wash the car: To avoid rust at the bottom of the car and corrosion on any part you should clean every part of the car once in a month at least. It can cost you thousands if you will neglect rust related problems.

• Avoid fuel additive: Use good fuels and do not go for octane boosters just buy premium fuels.

• Avoid D-I-Y repairs if you’re a first timer: Avoid self attempts to repair your vehicle if you are attempting for the first time. Repair it under someone’s supervision, because cars are intricate jigsaw puzzles and it’s risky to solve them.

Making sure your car is in a best working condition is the most important part of maintenance. Check the oil every week to make sure that you never run short of oil in any condition. Watch out tires every time you move for a long drive or a long trip, because they can deceive you if not checked properly. Keep maintaining your car at schedules intervals and it will last long.

About Author:-

Annie writes for http://www.mybusinesscentral.com.au/ . Her previous article was about new-car logbook service in Melbourne 

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