Archive for July, 2009

Understanding Car Shipping Insurance

Friday, July 17th, 2009

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Not all car shipping insurances are the same, and just because your contract includes mention of insurance coverage does not mean all types of damages are covered.

The first step is to know what the basic coverage includes. In most cases, this covers protection against theft and damage during vehicle transport. Coverage, however, may not include damage caused during storage (if you’re not available to receive your car on the stop) or once the car is accepted into international customs. Also, insurance from your car shipping company may not cover accessories, such as radios, alarm systems or DVD players, especially if they are not factory standard.

Another thing to ask your car shipping company is whether their insurance is primary or secondary to your own. If it’s secondary, your own insurance company will pay for damages first, and the vehicle shipping company will pick up the tab for anything not covered by your own insurance. While this protects you against out-of-pocket expenses, it may result in insurance rate increases in the long run, so you might want to find out the pros and cons of each option.

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Posted in Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | 4 Comments »

How to Protect Yourself (And Your Car) During Extreme Weather

Friday, July 17th, 2009

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Extreme weather that results in flash flooding, tornadoes or ice storm are difficult to deal with when you’re inside a car. In most cases, it makes sense to simply abandon the vehicle and seek cover in higher ground (for flash flooding) or a basement or ditch (for tornadoes). In icy weather, you may end up losing control of your car and skidding over the pavement or road.

Cars that are well-maintained are easier to control, so always make sure you keep your brakes and tires in top condition. Replace worn tires and keep them well-inflated. Change to winter tires if you live in an area prone to freezing. If you start to skid when driving, ease off the gas and steer to point the front of the car in the correct direction. Cars with ABS technology will get off a skid if you break as you steer. Skids can also happen during the summer, on wet roads.

Extreme cold or hot weather can affect the breaking and steering mechanisms of a car, so try to keep your car in the shade or indoors whenever possible. Also, make sure there’s enough anti-freeze or coolant in the car to protect the engine against sudden changes in temperature.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Summer Car Care

Friday, July 17th, 2009

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While you should keep your car under check year round, there are a few things that tend to pop up in the summer and can end up causing major trouble if not addressed promptly.

  • Make sure there are no cracks in the radiator. If coolant is leaking, it can end up damaging the engine. Also, a low level of coolant can result in your car overheating.
  • Brake pads wear out quicker during the summer because of the heat. Have the brakes checked and replace pads if necessary.
  • Damaged or worn belts can cause the air conditioner to work poorly during the summer. This in turn causes your car to use up more gas to cool down the interior and may cause lasting damage as well.
  • Your car’s emergency kit should include coolant for the car and bottled water for you. If your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, you don’t want to be caught without something to drink and keep you hydrated while you’re waiting for help.
  • Change your oil at the beginning of summer to make sure it’s in good condition to get you through the heat.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 1 Comment »

5 Things You May Not Know About Shipping a Car Overseas

Friday, July 17th, 2009

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  1. Some destinations may not allow you to drive your car from the pickup point and you may be required to hire a car transport company to deliver the car to your door or to a pre-established point.
  2. In order for your car to be released by customs, you will need to show the paperwork given to you by the shipping company, as well as the original title for the car and a letter or contract regarding the lien (if your leasing your car) and your right to move the vehicle. If you own the vehicle outright, you will to present the bill of sale.
  3. Don’t assume that RO/RO (roll on, roll off) service is available from every car shipping company. If not available at your destination, you will need to arrange for transportation after your car has been released from customs.
  4. Not all vehicle shipping companies offer complete insurance. While your car will always be covered for damages that occur during transportation and loading/unloading, some companies may not cover you once your car has been unloaded and stored in a foreign custom warehouse. Make sure you read the fine print and understand how well protected you are.
  5. In most cases, shipping companies allow you to use the empty space in the ocean container to store other items you wish to ship overseas along with your car. This can mean boxes, luggage or other personal belongings.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | 1 Comment »

5 Unexpected Ways to Save Gas

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

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You’ve heard the suggestions: drive less, carpool, get a credit card with gas rewards… But aside from that, is there anything you can do to save money on gas? The truth is that keeping your car in top condition will not only extend its life but also end up saving you hundreds of dollars in gas.

  1. Keep the vehicle in top shape. Underinflated tires lower a car’s gas mileage. The same is true of engines that are out of tune or cars that have failed their emissions test. Dirty air filters cause the engine to overwork, wasting gas in the process.

  2. Switch to high-quality oil. This alone will increase your gas mileage by two percent. If you have your car’s manual, check to see what the recommended brand and grade is for your vehicle. Or buy oil that sports the words “energy conserving” on the label.

  3. Protect your car from the elements. Parking in the shade or inside a garage will reduce evaporative emissions considerably and conserve gas. In the winter, keeping your car warm means that you will waste less gas trying to warm it up in the morning.

  4. Drive consistently. Speeding up, abrupt stops and high speed in general all waste gas. Instead, use cruise control when on the highway and maintain a steady pace when driving within city limits.

  5. Get rid of excess weight. This means clearing out the trunk of the car, removing the roof rack when not in use and not using your vehicle as storage space.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 1 Comment »