How to Ship a Car Made Easy: 5 Tips to Keep in Mind

Published on: 05 March 2019 Last Updated on: 15 April 2021

If you’re trying to move a car transnationally or overseas, you need to know how to ship a car. Without the right advice, it can be a complicated and expensive endeavor.

Whether you’re moving overseas, trying to buy a car, or receiving a gift, you’ll need to do some research to figure out the best way to ship your vehicle. Many people prefer the convenience of shipping a car to the mental and physical cost of driving it yourself.

It may seem like shipping a car can cost more than driving it yourself. However, when you drive it yourself, you have to consider gas costs, hotel costs, exhaustion, and potential mechanical failure.

To figure out how to ship your car, check out the guide below.

How to Ship a Car:

In the past, shipping a car was quite difficult. Now, you have endless assistance and services at your fingertips. Follow these steps to successfully ship your car.

1. Do Some Research:

The first step to shipping your car is to research the companies you’re considering. You can check the best auto transport companies with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to make sure they are legitimate.

2. Call Your Insurance Company:

Check with both your insurance company and the shipping company’s insurance to determine what kind of coverage is available for your vehicle. They should offer $500,000 to $1,000,000 in coverage.

3. Plan It Out:

Make sure you leave enough time for your vehicle to be shipped, as it is a time-consuming process. You may need four to eight weeks to complete the delivery. Then, decide what exact location you want your vehicle shipped to.

There are only two types of carriers: covered and uncovered. A covered carrier costs more than an uncovered one, but it also offers more protection.

4. Do an Inspection:

Both you and the shipping company should inspect it before sending it out. They will take note of any damage. Make sure to get a copy of this document so you can hold the company accountable should any additional damage happen to your car.

5. Clean It Out:

Although it may sound like a nice idea to ships items inside your car, it’s not the safest. These items can imbalance the car or limit the view through the windows. Make sure to get everything out of the car before you ship it.

The only thing you need in your car is a little bit of gas so the carriers can load and unload the car without concern.

More Guidance:

Although shipping a car costs about $0.40 to $1.00 a mile depending on how far it’s going, it’s about more than the cost. Shipping a car is convenient and allows you to relax while you wait for your car to come to you.

Figuring out how to ship a car involves some research, but it’s much easier today than in the past. Make sure to use this guide to help you with your car’s journey.

For more helpful articles about travel and beyond, don’t forget to stop by our page.

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Get to Know Interstate and Intrastate Heavy Haul Transport

Heavy haul fleets offer interstate and intrastate transport choices, and both cover different regulations and protocols. Interstate hauling refers to the trucks that cross state lines in delivering cargo. Intrastate, meanwhile, means the fleet operates locally. Its permit and operational limitations don’t allow it to cross state lines. They also differ in terms of regulations they have to comply with. Regulations Covering Interstate Heavy Haul Fleet: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the primary agency that oversees and monitors interstate heavy hauling fleets. Trucking companies need to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the Hazardous Material Regulations. Of course, each state has its regulations, fees, and permits covering cargo trucks that pass its borders. Regulations Covering Intrastate Heavy Haul Fleet: For intrastate operations, the state has the primary responsibility to ensure that the fleet is following all rules and regulations governing transport. Typically, the rules and regulations are the same as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. But some states, due to the products they move, have stricter quarantine regulations. They also have different rules on the number of hours a truck driver needs to be on the road, the health qualifications, and age limits. What is a DOT number? The Department of Transportation, where the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is attached, assigns different numbers to heavy haul trucks. For instance, there’s a particular number if the truck is transporting hazardous material across state lines. The same goes for the weight of the cargo or if the truck is carrying 9-15 people. For intrastate trucking operations, the regulations vary. Some states don’t require a DOT number and some do. The DOT number should not be confused with the DOT certification. If the fleet is DOT certified, it simply means that the truck driver possesses the competence, skills, and knowledge to drive such a big vehicle across the country. Truckers can’t secure a commercial driver’s license without this DOT certification, and they have to renew their permit every two years. State authorities always check the DOT certification when they flag down delivery trucks and heavy haul fleet. Fees: In terms of fees, it stands to reason that when the fleet routinely crosses state lines, it is subject to much higher fees. To illustrate, their insurance coverage is higher because they are exposed to more risks. The longer the truck driver is on the road, the higher the risks he would be exposed to. Each state also has its fees, surcharges, and levies. For intrastate cargo, the fees, license plate, and insurance coverage are lower. Again, each state has its own rules covering fees, so for the most part, the trucking company only has to worry about those. These regulations are necessary considering that the trucks remain the primary mode of transport for cargo across the US. For example, statistics show that trucks carry 80% of the total cargo that’s shipped around the country. The industry is also worth $726 billion every year. Read Also: Why Times Are Tough For Truckers And Why It Concerns You How Servicing For Your Commercial Boiler Works: A Step-By-Step Guide To The Process

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Rochester Buick GMC Buying Tips When Wanting A New Car

Buying a new car is a huge investment. Don’t make a haphazard decision just because of you’re frequently encountering good car deals in public places and media such as the internet and television. You have to think of a lot of things first before purchasing one. Buick is an American company under the General Motors group. They are famous for selling luxury cars and most of their clients are the wealthier ones. Their main market is Chinese, but they also have units all around the globe. GMC, on the other hand, is also a company under General Motors that mainly focuses on trucks and utility vehicles. Here are some tips when buying a Buick or GMC in Rochester: 1. Research and read a lot: You might already have a Buick or GMC car unit in mind, but you have to do extensive research if it’s worth to buy that one or you should check out other options. Gather all information—price, specifications, features, performance, etc., and decide if it will be a worthy investment. 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For example, if your reason to buy a new car is that your family is getting big and there’s not enough room for all of you, you have to stick to the idea that you have to get a bigger car—probably a Buick Enclave Avenir SUV or GMC Terrain. Don’t get swayed with deals once you visit a car dealer office. Your priority should determine the choice of car you’ll be buying. You don’t want to end up buying a different Buick that doesn’t fit your purpose just because it’s on sale or it comes with a good deal. 4. Stick to your budget: You have to be financially ready before deciding to buy a new car. Wise car buyers usually set a maximum budget when they plan to purchase a new one and don’t go overboard. Buy a model based on its functionality and not by its appeal. The budget you need to set when you have plans of buying a Buick or GMC should be dependent on the model, transmission, its purpose, and other features. 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How to Ship a Car Made Easy: 5 Tips to Keep in Mind