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.

If you know your car well, chances are you will notice subtle changes in the way it drives and feels. Always trust your instinct when it comes to those changes. If it feels like something’s wrong with your car, take it to a mechanic and have it checked. Certain problems can put both your car and your life in danger. Please make note of any issues to vehicle shipping company before getting transport service or get car fixed.

• Warning signs to watch out for:
• A vibrating steering wheel can indicate a faulty wheel or a wheel that’s out of balance.
• A humming noise from tires can indicate a need to rotate your tires.
• A high-pitched screeching sound can be a sign that you need to replace your brake pads.
• A brake pedal that vibrates or shakes can indicate that the rotors are warped and need to be replaced.
• Strong odors can indicate that the fuel tank vent is obstructed, twater is sipping into the car and rotting the mats or other car parts, the wiring system is burning or the tires are overheating. Any unusual smell should be promptly addressed.
• Sounds coming from the engine in the form of knocking or squealing indicate overheating, low oil level, a faulty fuel injector or defective bearings.

If you’re intent on keeping the same car for a long period of time, adding enhancements can prove a worthy investment. Next time you’re considering trading in your vehicle, consider whether it would make more sense to customize and “perk up” the one you already have. Enhancements improve the value of your car and can make it easier to sell when you’re ready to. After all, a 10-year old car is a 10-year old. But a 10-year old with custom seats and grille guards can be a one-of-a-kind vehicle.

When adding accessories to your car, consider the following:

Air dams
Bug deflectors
Camper caps
Carrier racks
Custom seats
Custom wheels
GPS and other instrumentation systems

Grille guards
Keyless entry systems
Stereo systems
Striping
Sun roofs
Vehicle navigation systems
Customized wheels and tires
Window tinting

Every parent has a moment of panic when a teen ask for the car keys. When you certainly have the option of saying no, chances are you will end up sharing your car. Rather than praying for it to come back intact, there are some things you can discuss with your teen to make sure the car stays in good shape and your kid is safe.

• Have a talk about general car maintenance and security. Don’t make it about protecting the car from scratches but instead focus on how to look out for warning signs of car trouble, how to drive in extreme conditions and how to do small maintenance things, including changing a tire.
• Talk about emergency situations and come up with a plan. If the car breaks down in an empty road, what is your teen supposed to do? If you have an AA membership, share the phone number and explain how the process work. They should also have access to a few phone numbers of adults (family or family members) they can contact in an emergency. If you have a trusted repair shop or mechanic in town, give them that number too.
• Establish rules about driving. While chances they will be broken once in a while, you can set rules on how far your teen can drive, whether he can take road trips and how often he should call and check in. Don’t be obsessive and allow for some breathing room. Asking your teen to call if he’s running late is normal and should be enforced.

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.

DO wash off bird droppings or unidentifiable stains as soon as possible. If you end up with a high-acidity stain on the paint, it can actually eat out at it. If this happens, you won’t be able to repair it and will have to repaint.

DO wash your car often to prevent debris from causing scratches.

DON’T forget to rinse your car after a heavy rain. The acidity from the rain can stain the paint if not washed away.

DON’T forget to rinse after manually washing the car. Leaving soapy water to dry on the car will cause stains and might dull the finish.

DO use a dedicated carwash formula to wash your car. Soap, soap dish or other household products are not meant to be used on paint and can dull the finish or affect the protective coating.

DO dry off your car after washing. Letting it dry naturally can cause streaking.

DO use a tougher sponge or scrubber to clean the tires and wheels. A soft sponge or cloth won’t remove all debris. You might need a brush for stubborn mud.

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.

If you just had a baby or are planning on expanding the family, your car will likely become an integral part of your life. When that happens, you need to start thinking about switching to a more family-friendly car that will meet the needs of everybody, including parents, kids and even the pets.

• Make sure your car allows you to attach a car seat or booster. Not all models have the proper formatting or settings for this, and you choose one that doesn’t you will need to make changes later on. This will mean additional expenses, so keep that in mind.
• Having enough cargo space is essential when you have kids. You will have to cart along a stroller, school gear, sports equipment and probably toys or a change of clothes. Whether that means getting an SUV with lots of space in the back or a car with under-floor storage, make sure you can fit enough bags and items to keep everybody happy.
• Comfort gadgets can be a lifesaver if you have kids. If you can get a car with a DVD player, you will save yourself the agony of having to answer “Are we there yet?” one more time. If the car has multiple headphone jacks, even better, so not everybody has to listen to the same Barney song over and over again. Fold-out trays are another great addition to help kids snack in style or spend time coloring their favorite book.

If you’re getting ready to hit the road, there are a few things you should keep in mind. A quick checkup by your mechanic might be in order, especially if you haven’t had one in a while. Otherwise (or in addition to that), here are a few things you should be in the lookout for:

• Make sure the AC or heat system (depending on the season) work properly. You don’t want to get caught in the highway in 90 degree weather with the air conditioner not running.
• Check that the seatbelts are tight and working properly.
• Check the braking and steering system.
• Fill out your tank before you leave, especially if you’re taking an unfamiliar road and don’t know how far the next gas station is.
• Check your spare tire and make sure is well inflated and in good condition.
• Put a repair and emergency kit in the trunk.
• Change the oil if you’re getting close to the schedule changing time. Old oil adds stress to your car’s engine.

While you will get an approximate delivery time from the car shipping company, this cannot be guaranteed for a number of reasons:

Weather. Storms, heavy snowing and slippery roads might force drivers to stop or slow down along the way. The farther apart the pick-up and car transport addresses are, the more chances for something to happen along the way.

Empty House. If nobody is at home when the driver shows up with the truck, the car might go into storage so the driver can keep up with his route. It can take a while for the vehicle shipping delivery to be attempted again or you may need to go pick it up.

Full Truck. If there are a number of cars that have to be delivered in the same area, the driver might run into trouble with the other owners or cars, which means your own auto delivery will be delayed even further.