Moving to a new home can be stressful and downright exhausting. Things can become even more complicated if you are moving across country or to an entirely new country. One thing you must consider when making a move like this is what you will do with your current vehicle and there are a few different things you must take into account when moving your vehicle during a long distance move.
Preparing for the Move
Before you can move your car anywhere, you must properly prepare it for the move. Preparing a vehicle for a long distance move involves a number of things.
First, you will want to make sure your car is protected by insurance. Transporting a car across the country or to a new country does not come without risk and having the proper insurance will protect your car against potential damages. When shipping your car across the country you can often purchase a moving insurance policy through the auto transport service you are using, but if you are transporting your car to a new country it will be traveling across the ocean and it may be necessary to purchase marine insurance.
Another thing to do in preparation of shipping your vehicle over a long distance is to ensure it is completely empty. You will want to remove all of your personal belongings and take out anything that is removable (i.e. CD deck) that you don’t want to risk losing. It is also a good idea to disable or deactivate any alarm systems that may be tripped during the move.
It is also important to inspect the vehicle itself. Make sure that the battery is fully charged and that there is about a quarter of a tank of gas in the car. Also check to make sure your vehicle isn’t leaking any liquids or fluids. At this time it can be a good idea to take some pictures of your car to compare against any potential damages it may incur during shipping.
Making the Move
After you have thoroughly prepared your car for the move, you must decide how to transport it. Although there are some companies that will physically drive your car to the desired location, typically car shipping services will ship your car on a large truck.
There are two main options for shipping your car which include shipping in an enclosed truck or on an open-air truck. As you would expect, the enclosed truck is typically more expensive as it provides more protection for your car. The key here is to get quotes from as many companies as possible to find the best deal for your particular situation.
After the Move
Once the move is complete there are a couple things to do when you get your car.
First off, you want to make sure you plan to be available to meet the driver of the transport company when they deliver your vehicle. With some companies you can save some money by meeting them at a specified terminal rather than have them deliver the vehicle to your house.
Also, you will want to inspect your vehicle again to verify that there aren’t any damages. Referring back to the pictures you took before the move can make it easy to spot any potential issues.
Shipping your vehicle during a long distance move can provide a solution to one of the many complications of a long distance move. However, it is important that you follow the guidelines presented here to ensure your shipment is successful. Making a long distance move across the country or to a brand new country is usually both an exciting and exhausting experience.
Jeanne Longhorne is a car enthusiast who enjoys reading and writing about all things automotive. When she’s not writing about auto transport, you’ll find her attending the nearest car show.
