Car Transporters » Car Transport Tips

Car Movers: Ten Tips That Will Make The Process Easy

Mishelle Green — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:21:59 +0000

Moving a car is no longer the difficult task that it once was. Back in the old days (but not that long ago) a person had to go pick up a vehicle unless they were affiliated with a dealership. They would then have to drive the vehicle back to their home or the destination where they needed the vehicle. Today, however, car movers handle this task for people. Instead of driving and flying, people can just hire a company to pick up a vehicle and take it on a car carrier to the location of their choosing. Not only has this made the process easy, but it has given birth to a whole new online car shopping industry. Regardless of why you might need to move a car, since there are various reasons other than purchasing a car online, it is important to follow these ten tips so that your vehicle makes it to its destination without incident.

1. Research Options: There are many different companies out there, and there are many different shipping options as well. Make sure to look at closed and open shipping, as well as the different costs associated with the various car movers that operate in your area. Decide on what you want before you actually hire anyone.

2. Choose a Good Company: With so many companies on the market, it is vital that you find the company that meets your needs while meeting the requirements of your budget as well. The first step in doing this is to research various companies and make a short list of the ones that have the best customer reviews.

3. Gather Quotes from Car Movers: Once you have a short list of companies, call each of them and get some quotes for how much your job is going to cost. Make sure to get quotes for the services that you need, and keep in mind that closed shipping is always going to cost more than open shipping.

4. Get Your Vehicle Inspected: Once you have chosen a company, get your vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic. This is not only required by the car carrier company to ensure the safety of transporting your vehicle with the others that they will be transporting, but it also helps you document the condition of the vehicle before the service.

5. Empty the Vehicle: Never transport anything inside your vehicle. This is very important for multiple reasons. First, any extra weight is something that you will be charged for. Secondly, things that are inside the vehicle are not covered under the company’s liability and they will not claim any responsibility for it.

6. Document the Condition: Take pictures and document the condition of the vehicle before you release it to the car movers. This will help you at the other end of the transport service in the event that there is new damage to the vehicle. Pictures will help you make a claim much easier than if you don’t have them.

7. Acquire Insurance: Insurance is required for your vehicle when you drive it, and most of the time it will cover the vehicle when it is being transported as well. Still, always make sure to call your insurance company to make sure. If you need some extra, or an extra rider on your policy, this is the time to find out and make that purchase.

8. Provide Copies of Documentation on Pick-up: No matter what the condition of your vehicle is, make sure that you provide a copy of your documentation to the driver when they come to pick up the vehicle. This will prove that your vehicle is in a specific condition before transport and will also help you file a claim if needed later.

9. Do a Walk Around on Delivery: When your vehicle is delivered to its destination, always do a walk around to see if there are any new damages. Make sure to document these with the driver there if you find any. While you don’t have to catch everything at this moment, anything big should be signed off by the driver on delivery.

10. File Claims Fast: If you do find something wrong with your vehicle, make sure that you file a claim with the auto transport insurance company or the movers insurance as soon as possible. There are statutes of limitations on filing claims, so don’t wait. The longer you do, the harder it will be to get reimbursed.

While moving cars is not something that takes too much effort these days, it is important to follow these simple tips so that you don’t have to worry about anything happening to your vehicle when it is being transported. Make sure that you have everything together before handing the vehicle over to the shipping company and you too can enjoy the ease and stress-free transport that these companies offer consumers today.

Five Great Choices for Your Family Car

Transporter — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:42:07 +0000

Purchasing a vehicle for your family can be a nerve-racking experience. Considering the fact that the vehicle will be used to transport precious cargo, you may never find the one vehicle that meets or exceeds all of the ‘requirements’ that you have set forth. However, there are some very good choices out there that meet most of them, so you should allow yourself to be flexible and consider one of these five great choices for your next family car before you look for car transporters.

The Hyundai Entourage: When you are looking for a family vehicle, you are going to be looking for something that has some pretty high crash test ratings. If that’s the case, then you are looking for the Hyundai Entourage. This minivan boasts a AAA rating from Parent’s magazine and is listed as one of the safest vehicles by the Institute for Highway Safety. With its low price tag, this minivan is definitely something to think about when you are in the market for a new vehicle.
The Honda CRV: With a spacious cabin and plenty of family friendly features, it is easy to see how this crossover is now in the running as one of the best family vehicles on the market. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has put the CRV on their list of the safest vehicles in the country, while Parent’s magazine also gave it a AAA rating. With this one, electronic stability and affordability come standard.
The Ford Edge: Parent’s magazine loves the Ford Edge for its spacious cargo area as well as the comfortability of the ride that this vehicle provides. With an affordable price tag of only twenty five thousand brand new, this crossover is another great pick for anyone who has a family. It too is rated one of the safest vehicles in the country by the Institute of Highway Safety.
The Toyota Sienna: Another minivan, the Sienna gets great ratings on account of its side curtain air bags as well as its sliding seats. With the various layout options available to owners, there is plenty of room and lots of choices to make the vehicle perfect for your family. With a price of under twenty five grand, it’s easy to see why this vehicle made it to this list.
The Lexus RX 350: Perhaps you didn’t think that you would see a luxury vehicle on this list, especially with a price that far exceeds that of a normal family vehicle, but if you are looking for luxury and safety, then the RX 350 is your vehicle. From a spacious and luxurious interior, to a stylish design, this is a great choice for the family.

While choosing your next family vehicle might not be the easiest thing that you’ve ever done, there are some options out there that are much better than the others. When looking for safety and reliability, as well as the high tech features that you love, be sure to look into these five vehicles before you make your final purchase. Consider buying online as well, where you can hire car transporters to reduce your stress and bring your new family vehicle right to your home.

Shipping Your Car – Secret Tips That Can Save You Heartache.

Transporter — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:34:54 +0000

Though moving your vehicle with the help of car transporters is not that difficult, there are many steps along the way that might prove to be problematic. As such, it is important to know the secrets behind the process that allow you to protect your vehicle, your money, and your time. No matter how far the vehicle is going, remember these tips and you should find the process simple enough to handle with your eyes closed. Employ the following tips when you are ready to hire a car shipper to move your vehicle from where it is to where it needs to be.

Of Deposits and Money

No matter what the destination is, most auto transporters will require a deposit of some sort. Most of the time, this deposit is only about ten percent of the total cost, but it reserves you a slot on the transport truck that will soon be headed your way. It is a good idea to put the deposit on a credit card or a bank card that will allow you to dispute transactions at a later date. Remember, there are scams out there that can simply take your money and offer you poor service or no service at all. By paying the deposit, and the subsequent total costs associated with the service, you are protecting your money should the company wrong you in some way financially.

Dates and Times

One thing that all car shippers state when you purchase their services is that they never schedule specific dates or times for any of their pick-ups or drop-offs. There are multiple reasons why they will not give you a specific date and time, including the possibility of traffic delays or even a delay in loading, or unloading, another person’s car. Remember that these transport trucks go all over the country and deal with lots of people wherever they go. As such, keep in mind that you will not have a specific date and time. Be flexible and clear your schedule on the days that they give you as possible delivery times.

Delivery Procedures

Delivery is another aspect of car shipping that you should be aware of. Unlike moving, car transporters cannot simply show up and unload things in your home. When you are shipping a vehicle, consider the fact that you might have to go pick the car up instead of having it delivered at your home. If your street is too narrow, or if you simply want to save some money, consider picking the vehicle up at the central hub for the company that is in your area. If you don’t want to do this, then find a place where you can meet the truck driver to get your vehicle. Once it is unloaded, make sure to do a walk around to make sure there are no damages that weren’t there when you handed the car to the company. Note anything you notice on the contract before signing for delivery of the vehicle. The balance due will generally be due right now, so prepare a money order before going to pick up the vehicle. Most drivers will not take personal check or credit cards where they deliver your vehicle.

Claims and Damage

Another thing that you should know about auto transport is that damage can happen even when you take steps and avoid certain things when moving a car. While most car shippers are good at what they do, there are always chances for accidents to occur. You might find that a rock hit your car while it was on the transport truck. You might also find that another vehicle had a leak and has damaged the pain. Regardless of what the damage is, make sure to note it on the form that you sign when you take possession of the vehicle and then make a claim from the company’s insurance first. Once you have done so, you can move on and submit a claim to your own insurance policy so that you know things will be taken care of and fixed one way or another. Regardless, it is a good idea to remember these things when you are moving a vehicle. In the end, it can save you lots of heartache.

Shipping a Car – Five Things You Must Avoid

Transporter — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:13:04 +0000

Thousands of people consider shipping a vehicle each year. Though the service is fairly new to the general public, car transporters already account for a large percentage of the moving industry related business each year. Regardless of the reason that you might be shipping a vehicle to another place, it is important that you take time to learn about the things that you should avoid throughout the process. The overall task isn’t difficult, but people do make some mistakes. Learn from what went wrong from others so that you do not make the same errors yourself. Here are five things that you need to absolutely avoid when using car transporters to move your vehicle.

Loose Stuff in the Vehicle: Since many people choose to ship their vehicles when they are moving to a new home, it might seem to make sense that these people would load the vehicle up with things that also need to be sent to a new home. Some people choose to pack their vehicle full of things before they release it to the transport company. They never know that this is one of the worst things that you can do for a couple of reasons. First, any loose item in the vehicle might be responsible for causing it to slip out of gear and cause damage to the vehicle and those around it. The loose items might also cause damage inside the vehicle, creating problems that you don’t really need when you are moving. Above this, adding extra things to your car can make it weigh more, causing the cost of transport to go up.
Underdocumentation: This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when they are moving their vehicles with a transport service. Failing to document the true condition of the vehicle is one reason that many people use up with unpaid insurance claims as well. While transport companies are good at what they do, there are things that happen that are outside of the control of the company. This is why you need to document the condition of the vehicle as well as any damage that might currently be on it. Take pictures and keep them in a safe place until the vehicle is delivered to its destination.
The Wrong Company: With so many different car transporters out there these days, it can be difficult to find the company that offers everything that you want at a price that you can afford. In order to avoid problems, it is imperative that you locate a good and honest company at the same time. Not putting enough time into the process is probably the worst thing that you can do, so make sure that you have time and energy to spend on looking for the best car transporter company to fit your needs without breaking the bank account. Check the net for reviews and ask around for recommendations so that you can rest assured you have chosen a good company.
Forgetting the Inspection: No matter where you are shipping a car to, or what company you are going to use, make sure that you always get your vehicle inspected prior to the trip. Most companies will require that this step be accomplished, so if it is not when they come to pick up the vehicle, they may leave the vehicle behind and ask you to reschedule. Remember, this inspection will make sure that your vehicle is safe to transport with other vehicles. The last thing that you want is to end up with a huge liability suit after you shipped a vehicle that caused damage to the other vehicles on the truck. Always get an inspection and get it from a highly rated mechanic that will actually do the job.
Filling Up: While some people believe that they need to fill all of their fluids and their gas tank before shipping their vehicle, it is probably a much better idea to avoid filling anything until after you have arrived at your new home or other destination. The vehicle is going to be shipped by the company who will charge you based on weight. Gasoline and other fluids often have heavy weights, so filling up can actually drive the shipping cost much higher. Instead, save the tune up for after the shipment and allow the gas tank to get pretty low. This will save you the cost of shipping fluids and will get your vehicle to its destination much cheaper.

Hawaii Car Transport

Transporter — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:03:09 +0000

Hawaii is one of the most difficult places to move to because it is not connected to any other land mass.
As a group of islands, this state is also one of the places that many people would love to live. Moving to Hawaii with your vehicles is not difficult, but it will take some planning and thought. You should get organized early on and find companies to handle your needs before moving day gets closer. There are professional movers that can take your things over the ocean to these islands, and car transporters that can transport your vehicles. Consider the following, however, when you are looking for the right Hawaii car transport for your needs.

Vehicle Type

Obviously, cars that are more expensive will need special attention throughout the trip. You need to make sure that the Hawaii car transport that you hire is experienced in handling cars that are special. Unlike the normal vehicles that are sometimes shipped to other places, custom vehicles and muscle cars need extra care to prevent damage and other problems throughout the trip. This is why you should call and be multiple car shipping quotes from various companies that offer such services. Be sure that you tell them you need to move to Hawaii when you call so that they can give you an accurate quote.

Get Ready

All car transporters, including Hawaii car transport companies, require that you get your vehicle inspected prior to transport. Be sure that you have enough time to get this inspection done before you hand the vehicle over to the company. Any licensed mechanic can provide this service, so make an appointment with your mechanic so that you can get this step taken care of an out of the way. Once this is done, be sure to document the condition of the vehicle so that you can file insurance claims if you have to once the vehicle is delivered. Pictures are a good idea, as they will make the claims process that much easier.

On Your Way

There are not many steps associated with moving a vehicle to another place, but you need time to really sift through the choices that will present themselves. The research that you put into things will help you avoid problems that plague the moving process and help you get to your new home
without the high stress levels that come from such circumstances. Regardless of what you
choose, make sure that you find the services that will give you just what you need for a price that you can not only afford, but love.

Reputable Auto Transport: Top Five Tips for Hiring a Company

Dasha — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:30:44 +0000

Whether you are moving to a new home or purchasing a car that is currently in another state, moving your vehicle is something that requires careful planning. There are plenty of car transporter companies out there that claim to move cars from one place to another, but because a vehicle is such a large investment, it is vital that you find a reputable auto transport company. Scams are all over the place, so here are the top five tips that will help you weed out the bad from the good when it comes to shipping a vehicle.

Ask Around – Perhaps the best way to locate a reputable auto transport business is to ask around. There are generally people who you know that have used such a service before, and they will be well versed in what to do, how to do it, and what to avoid in the grand scheme of things. They might also be able to point you towards a company that is good or away from one that is bad.
Research Online – The internet is a great tool for anyone who wants to find a product or service. Look online to find out what companies are out there and what services that they provide. Make sure that you go beyond just one company to find multiple companies that work in your area. Keep in mind that there are scams out there, so check into each reputable car transport offer carefully before choosing one.
Compare Prices – No matter how many companies you look at, be sure that you compare the prices that they quote you for the job that you need done. This will not only give you an idea of what you will have to pay for the service, but it will also help you weed out companies that are not that honest. Extremely low quotes can often signify companies that are trying to bait you, but they will sometimes raise the price after they have you caught in a contract.
Verify Legalities – It is very important for you to verify that the companies you are interested in are able to work legally in the sector of business and in the states that they claim to work in. Remember, if you choose to use a company that is not legally able to do so, then you risk not being able to make insurance claims and you trust your vehicle to a company that is not honest and professional.
Contact the Better Business Bureau – The Better Business Bureau keeps records of complaints that people have filed against certain companies. If you are interested in a certain company, it is a good idea to check with the BBB in their operating area to see if there are problems that other consumers have had in the past. This will go a long way towards helping you avoid issues that might otherwise plague your transport needs.

Above all, make sure that you get insurance for your move. In the end, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Car Transport: Ten Important Tips for You

Transporter — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:59:20 +0000

Relocating to a new place requires a lot of careful planning, budgeting and of course, a lot of patience. If you have enough time at your disposal, the entire process may not become unmanageable. However, if time constraint is a major factor in your relocation, assigning some of the work to a car transport company will save you a lot of time and effort.

For those of you who own a car and want your vehicle to be transported to your new place, here are 10 most important car transport tips, directly from the car transporters, that will save your from all the headaches.

1. Get your car serviced before sending it over for reputable auto transport:

This is the first and foremost thing that you need to ensure before you send your vehicle for car transport. You have to check if the brakes are functioning properly and whether the important parts of the vehicle are in working order. It is always recommended that instead of filling the full tank you fill half of the tank gas because full tank of gasoline increases the weight of the vehicle.

2. Remain present during the inspection of your car:

Before sending your car for shipping, you should get your auto inspected. Usually, the transported vehicles are inspected twice. Once, before they are sent over for shipping and the second time on their arrival to the destination. If possible, stay present during both the inspection stages.

3. Remove alarms from the vehicle:

Remove all the anti theft devices as well as alarms from your vehicle before you send it over for car transport. This is because it is quite inconvenient if the alarms suddenly go off during transit, you might be required to pay up extra money.

4. Check for the shipping routes covered by the company:

If you are relocating to the interiors, it is always important to ascertain that the shipping company you have appointed makes the delivery right at your doorstep. There are some shipping companies that transport vehicles to major cities alone and lack of information can make things difficult for you.

5. Auto insurance coverage:

Make sure that you have checked with the company on the insurance of your vehicle. While most car transport companies incorporate insurance in their total costs some don’t. So, you could be required to pay extra. To avoid this, make sure you have all information on the insurance.

6. Get your vehicle ready for changing weather conditions:

This is a particularly important aspect that needs to be taken into account when you are moving to a different part of the country or world. Make sure you regulate the antifreeze levels of the radiator before sending it over for transport.

7. Repair cracks in your auto window:

This will help you to ensure that the interiors of the vehicle are not damaged during the transit procedure.

8. Remove personal belongings:

Remove all your personal stuff from your auto before sending it. These will include CD/DVD players, grill covers etc.

9. Give the full set of car keys to the driver:

You need to do is on the day you meet the truck. Further, it is important that you don’t forget to get the keys back on the delivery day.

10. Check the condition of your car on delivery:

This is also an important thing that you cannot afford to miss out on. In case you find your vehicle damaged, get in touch with your car transport company immediately.