Moving belongings and furniture across the country can be a stressful and taxing ordeal in itself. A professional moving company might be taking your possessions to your new home, but what are you going to do with your most cherished autos in the driveway?
Read on to find out how to transport a car across the country.
Driving one or multiple vehicles to your new home’s location is not always feasible for those relocating. Fortunately for those with a move on the horizon, there are auto transport companies to assist you in moving your car or motorcycle from Point A to Point B.
Are you getting ready to move cross country? If so, you’ve probably considered how you will get all of your belongings from your old home to the next, many people often come to a standstill when figuring out what to do with their vehicles. Of course you’ll need your car, so what’s the easiest way to get your car to your new home? Consider shipping it! Before you can ship your car to your new home, you’ll want to make sure you have the following done.
Here are 10 tips to help get you (and your car) on your way;
1. Pick A Transport Date
You probably have a general idea of when your move across the country is going to take place, but it’s good to pick an exact date of your move ahead of time. An exact time-frame is necessary to get transportation quotes for moving your automobile.
So it is a smart idea to pick a moving date sooner than later. In most cases, transporters are negotiable and will work with you to accommodate your car-moving needs, but as a rule of thumb, it is best to give them no less than a week prior notice for your move.
2. Updated license, registration and vehicle insurance.
Having an updated license with your new address, registration and vehicle insurance is very important. Keep in mind there may be deadlines as to when you need to update your documents.
When updating your registration, check to see if you can receive a partial refund if you won’t be a resident for the full year you’ve paid for. This should be done after you’ve registered your vehicle in your new country, remember the amount of time needed to transfer your registration from one country to another varies, so give yourself enough time to get this task done.
Your vehicle should also be properly insured, try to keep in mind the coverage you have now may not carry over in another country, make sure you contact your insurance company to update your information and check for proper coverage.
A good insurance policy will safeguard your car from any damage incurred during shipping. Although it is extra, the cost of repairs will almost certainly be much higher should something happen to your vehicle.
Insurance should therefore be considered a non-negotiable part of the total expense of transporting your vehicle.
Look over your current auto insurance policy to see if it covers long-distance shipping.
Be sure to check in with your insurance agent and let them know about your upcoming move.
You want to be prepared for anything, including a potential accident, theft or damage to your vehicle, your insurance agent is a great resource for advice and info on supplemental insurance for your car.
If you choose not to buy insurance, you’ll be completely responsible for damage and defects.
3. Country laws and regulations for vehicles.
What may have been permitted in your previous country, may be against the law in another. For example, if you have dark tinted windows to keep the sun out you may have to get them taken off if you’re moving to a place like New York.
In some countries, your from windows must allow more than 70% of light through the tint, while other country might permit these dark tints.
There are many more laws and regulations in place that vary from country to country, so be sure to check if your car meets the requirements before your move.
4. Empty Your Car
Clear your car of any tools, equipment, clothing, trash and other items before dropping it off with the movers. Not only will this ensure that nothing gets stolen or misplaced, it may also help bring your transportation fees down a little.
Before your car is shipped off to your new home, be sure to remove any miscellaneous items and valuables inside. Unless you negotiated it beforehand, you probably will not be allowed to use your car as an extra moving box.
Stuffing your car with possessions and furniture means extra weight, which can result in extra costs or potential safety issues.
In fact, some auto movers make this step mandatory in order to reduce the risk of liability.
The vehicle’s overall weight is a major factor in the cost of shipping, so the more you can clear out of it, the less you’ll have to pay.
Think twice before loading your car full of boxes and other moving materials.
5. Maintaining your vehicle
The climate can effect the amount of maintenance your vehicle will need. For instance, if you’re moving from a colder, more northern area of the country to a warmer, drier southern country you may want to check your tires and cooling system.
If you find your tires or hose a little weather-worn, or not properly working, you may have some problems when you move to a warmer country.
If you are moving to a climate with a difference of 70 degrees or more, there is going to be more pressure put on your vehicle, particularly the rubber parts. If you have a worn hose, it could burst in the warmer temperatures, the same goes for your tires.
If you’re moving from the south to the north, you should also check your antifreeze levels. You probably won't worry about your car engine locking up due to cold temperatures, but in colder ones. Antifreeze is essential to a well running vehicle, especially in the late fall and winter months.
6. Choose the perfect season for your move.
Moving your auto during the off-season is ideal. If possible, schedule your move for the beginning or end of the year. Auto movers frequently charge less to transport cars during the winter months, when business tends to drop off. When it comes to getting the best deal possible, every consideration helps.
Summer is the busiest time of year for most auto transport services.
7. Ask Around About Car Movers
Chances are you know at least one or two people who have recently made a cross-country move. Ask them how they shipped their cars and what transport company they used to use as a reference.
8. Research Car Moving Companies
It never hurts to compare the competition, especially when it comes to moving. With your moving date in hand, call around or get online to get quotes (including insurance options) from a number of respectable auto moving companies .
Be sure to have the type of car you drive, your destination and the dates of your move on hand. The transport companies need this info to provide you with an accurate quote.Before deciding to do business with a particular auto mover, do a little research to see what level of protection they can guarantee.
9. Pick a Car Moving Company
You’ve done your homework, researched insurance options and received quotes from a number of companies. Now it’s time to pick the moving company that will move your car. In most cases, the transport company will require you to pay up front, so be sure to have a cash or cashier’s check for the exact amount owed.
10. Choose your preferred transport method.
In some cases, you’ll be given a choice of how you’d like your vehicle to be shipped. This may range from a single tow rig to a fully enclosed container. Think carefully about which option best suits your budget and needs before coming to a decision
Why you should choose Victory Van for your Auto move
Contact an auto transport service company like Victory Van that specializes in transporting automobiles over long distances. Check your local listings to find one that operates in your area.
By taking advantage of one of our moving services, you can make sure your car ends up getting where it needs to go without a lot of frustrating coordination or expense.
We understand moving can be hectic, but the list above is important to get to even though they can be easy to forget. Having a plan and following it helps, not only with getting your home packed away, but ensuring the move itself goes smooth and your transition to your new home is as simple as possible. Remember, if you need help relocating your vehicle, call us at Victory Van.
Call today for a free quote, let us know when you need your vehicle shipped and where and see how we can make shipping your vehicle the easiest part of your move!
