Archive for the ‘International Car Shipping’ Category

Papers, Papers, Papers: Things to Check Before Shipping a Car or Bike

Friday, August 6th, 2010

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Once you’ve decided on a vehicle shipping company for your car, you’ll probably receive a list of things to be done. The company will ask you to sign some paperwork, choose pick up dates and let you know what’s allowed and what’s not. For example, most companies require you to empty your trunk and your car of any personal effects.

  • Make copies of your insurance policy, your contract with the vehicle shipping company and any other important paperwork. Keep the paperwork with you at all times. If you’re moving, make sure you’re bringing it along, rather than packing it in a box somewhere. If problems arise, you can always consult your contract.
  • Read the insurance plan thoroughly and make sure you understand what’s covered and what isn’t. If the insurance policy has a limit and you’re shipping an expensive vehicle (such as a collectible or antique), ask about the option of buying additional insurance.
  • Ask for a copy of the car shipping company’s insurance coverage and business registration. Verify that they’re up to date and have the appropriate rights to offer coverage in your state.
  • Make sure you get a signed bill of landing. This will verify that a complete inspection was done and note any problems with the car before pick-up.

Dealing with Vehicle Shipping Payments

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

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Paying for vehicle shipping arrangements can be a confusing endeavor. However, most car delivery companies have a system in place and understanding it is essential to make sure the moving goes smoothly.

1. Before anything else, you should receive car transport rates or a quote. Make sure you understand what the price quoted includes. If insurance, delivery confirmation, paperwork and any extras are not included in the final price, find out what are the charges for those services.

2. Ask what payment method your chosen auto shipping company accepts. Some will only take cash, while others want cashier’s checks. Credit cards are not as popular as you might think, mostly because you have to make partial payment to the truck driver, at the time of delivery.

3. Ask whether you need to pay a deposit or the full rate amount at the time of pick up. This will help you be prepared so you’re not caught short on cash.

4. If you have to pay cash to the delivery driver, make sure you have the exact amount, so you don’t have to worry about change.

5. Make sure you’re compensated if your car is not picked up on time or the car shipping company cancels the pickup at the last minute. Some companies will waive the cancellation fee if it’s their fault, while others will pay for a car rental to compensate for the added days that you’ve been left without transportation.

Finding a Trustworthy Car Shipping Company

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

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When it comes time to move your vehicle, the major difficulty is probably to find the right company. With so many around, both online and in the real world, how do you go about finding the best one for you? What’s more, how do you go about choosing a trustworthy company that will take care of your vehicle and deliver it safely without charging you a fortune for it?

Look online for options. Simply Googling “car shipping company” will give dozens of results. Visit the different websites and read around. See what the company offers (enclosed vehicle shipping, international car shipping, motorcycle delivery) and what the conditions are. Then Google the company’s name to see if you can find customer reviews or complaints about it.

Narrow it down to a few companies and then ask each one for a copy of their license. Licensed companies are fully insured and have to meet some requirements that will improve their quality of service and customer satisfaction. The older the license (make sure the renovation date is recent), the more years the company has experience in shipping vehicles.

Get quotes from several car shipping companies and compare what you get for the price with each one. If a car transport company is too cheap compared to the others, move with caution and find out why. Are they licensed? Are they new and trying to build up a clientele? Remember shipping a vehicle cost the car transport companies money as well for things such as gas, paying driver and so on. So when the price is to low proceed with caution.

Getting a Tax Rebate for Your Move

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

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If you are reconsidering the idea of moving your car because of the expenses involved, keep in mind that there are circumstances under which the costs qualify as tax deductible. This is not always the case and there are restrictions in place, but it’s a possibility worth exploring.

According to Publication 521, you don’t need to be moving for work in order to qualify for a tax rebate. However, you do need to be starting work as soon as possible after your move or after shipping your car. You also need to be moving at least 50 miles away from your old job. To that 50-mile minimum, you need to add the distance between your old home and your old job to meet the “distance requirement” set by the IRS. So for example, if you lived five miles from your old job, you need to be moving at least 59 miles away to qualify.

Finally, you also need to meet the “time requirement,” which specifies you must work at least 39 weeks within the 12 months following the move. So while you can wait a few weeks to start the new job, you can’t wait more than a couple of months or you won’t be able to meet this requirement.

Shipping Your Motorcycle

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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There are a number of differences between shipping a car and shipping a motorcycle. Because there’s more information about car shipping than bike shipping,

Bikes can be shipped ready to drive. No need to empty the tank, take parts off or disconnect the battery.

Bikes are always shipped in enclosed containers. This is to protect them from the environment, as well as to prevent damage from movement and shaking.

Most companies shipping motorcycle offer insurance with a deductible. While amounts vary, a $500 deductible is common. This can be a problem if you want the company to cover all damages, including scratches that may occur during vehicle shipping. If you would rather have a smaller deductible (or not deductible at all), you can probably negotiate a smaller insurance payout.

How is International Car Shipping Different?

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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Shipping your car internationally is, above all, more expensive than shipping it locally. The added expenses come from a variety of places. The most obvious one is the shipping price itself. Also, international car shipping may require additional insurance, as the basic type may cover just total loss but not damage.

Taxes are sometimes charged when vehicles arrive to their destination. This is an expense charged according to local government laws and have nothing to do with the car shipping company itself. You will to contact local embassies to figure out added fees and expenses associated with importing a car.

Vehicles shipped internationally must be in working order. Local car shipping companies will accept a car that isn’t running because the vehicle can be rolled on and off the container. During international vehicle shipping, however, the car must be driven out of the cargo ship and into customs. If the car won’t start once you arrive at your destination port, it will be put into a warehouse and you will be required to pay for a mechanic to fix it before you can take it out of customs. You will have to pay for every day the car is housed there.

What to Look for in the Vehicle Shipping Contract

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

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While all contracts are confusing, those from vehicle shipping companies may be even more so, simply because you don’t know what to expect and look for. Before you sign anything and put yourself (and your car) at risk, keep the following in mind:

Make sure everything that was promised orally is put in writing into the contract. If there are complaints, whatever is in the contract will be used to solve them.

Look for fees and other extra payments that are mentioned in the contract. There should be a cancellation fee quoted, which you should pay if you cancel the pick up. Also, look for fees added if you’re not at home when the car arrives (and it has to be transported to a new location).

Find out what the car shipping insurance coverage includes. Ideally, it should cover both damage and theft. Verify what the deductible is, if any. Also, insurance might be primary or secondary to your own insurance, which makes a big difference in terms of expenses. Finally, find out if anything voids the warranty, so you can prevent the problem. Many car transport companies will void your warranty if you leave items in the trunk, for example.

What are the best ways to get car shipping rates?

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

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Paying for car shipping is an expensive endeavor, and you should make sure, before you sign any contracts, that you have not only the best possible price, but also the best possible service for that money. The less time you have to ship a vehicle, the more important it is that you settle on a quote and a company early, as it takes time to organize the vehicle shipping process.

When looking for car shipping rates, start by doing an online search and comparing different companies. See not only what they charge, but also what do you get for that price. Compare their insurance policies, their customer service and whether there are complaints against them. Look for what’s included in the price for shipping a vehicle and whether there are additional fees you need to keep in mind.

Once you’ve narrowed down the search to 3-4 names, call the car shipping companies and ask to talk to a representative. Be prepared with a list of questions and find out about anything that is missing from the company’s website. Some vehicle shipping companies have a live messenger option, in which case you have a chance to talk to a representative online. Again, don’t be shy about asking difficult questions and don’t accept evasive or obscure answers. Beware of big promises as well, as companies that seem to offer much more than others for a much lower price may have hidden fees.

Finally, check the BBB for complaints about the company. Even if a company has some bad reviews, focus on how many of those were favorably resolved. Accidents and problems occur, and is sometimes more important to see how willing a company is to make good on their promises.

Why You Should Consider Terminal Car Shipping

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Most car shipping companies heavily advertise their door-to-door service, which allows you to stay home and wait for the driver to ring the doorbell and give you your car back. However, door-to-door vehicle shipping is expensive, and it may lead to additional expenses if for some reason you miss the delivery the first time around. A good alternative is to inquiry about terminal car shipping. While this may not be available in every area, it is a much cheaper (and sometimes simpler) option if you can get it.

Terminal delivery is also a good option if you are rarely home. Why pay extra for door-to-door car delivery is chances are high that you will miss the delivery. Instead, have the car or motorcycle delivered to a terminal and then pick it up at your convenience. Do remember that storage fees will apply for each day you leave the car at the car transport terminal, so make sure you pick it up as soon as possible after being notified of its arrival.

How Car Shipping Price Rates is Determined

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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When it comes to vehicle shipping, there’s no such thing as one-fits-all price. In fact, there are a few factors that affect shipping price significantly.

While distance is a major factor in car shipping price rates, traveling cross country is also more expensive than shipping your car north or south, as trucks are more likely to run into highway problems, weather issues or other difficulties when you’re traveling from coast to coast.

Working cars are cheaper to ship than those with engine or wheel problems, since those need to be rolled onto the trucks and require additional man power.

Bigger cars cost more to ship, but so do newer cars, collectibles and other cars that need to be shipped in enclosed car transport carriers or under special circumstances. Large vehicles, like hummers or trucks can cost up to 50 percent more to ship than a standard-size car, as they occupied more space that could be used to ship other cars.

Before you agree to a price for the vehicle shipping services, make sure you understand all the fees involved.