Archive for the ‘Motorcycle 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.

To Ship or Not To Ship

Monday, June 21st, 2010

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If you have a one-of-a-kind bike, an antique or simply one that you love, this question has probably never crossed your mind. But there are cases in which selling your biking or leaving it behind makes a lot more sense than shipping the vehicle.

The basic insurance offered by most vehicle shipping companies rarely goes over $5,000. This means that if you have a very expensive bike, you will need to buy additional insurance, which can be costly and still not cover you completely against loss. If you can’t afford the extra insurance, you need to ask yourself whether you want to take the risk or whether is it better to simply sell the bike.

Another reason to avoid motorcycle shipping is time frame. If you’re only at your destination for a day or two or if you’re not sure of your moving date, it might not be a good idea to ship the bike ahead of you. Shipping dates are approximate and nobody can guarantee you will have the bike back in your possession by a specific day.

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 Car Shipping carriers Looks Like

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

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Car shipping trucks come in two forms: open and enclosed carriers. Open car shipping carriers carry anywhere between 8 and 10 cars. The difference in number is due to the weight of the vehicles being transported. Because the car hauler cannot weight more than a total of 80,000lbs, including cars, trailer and truck, carrying smaller or larger (such as SUV’s) vehicles will determine the final number being hauled. As a general rule, the average car weight is estimated at 2,500 lbs.

Closed car shipping containers carry fewer vehicles. The number rarely exceeds six, and is more likely closer to four. This is because cars shipped inside closed containers need additional space to get in and out of the truck (and for the gate of the truck to operate), as well as for easier maneuverability. Larger vehicles, including trucks and SUV’s, may not fit into closed containers. They provided an increased level of safety for shipping expensive or customized cars.

Both types of car transport trucks are large and difficult to maneuver, which is why they are sometimes impossible to drive through small city streets, making it impossible to deliver cars door to door.

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.