The A-Z of Shipping Your Car

By Tom Kearns

When Russia recently launched a unique new brand of sports cars the super-car world was surprised. A popular pet female given Russian name and a play on the English word "Russia", Marussia was coyly christened. It was manufactured in limited numbers and released in two models, B1 and B2.

It requires careful auto shipping as it is now a collector's item: being battered by hail, handled roughly, or brutally exploited is something you do not want for this baby while you're not present.

So how do you get your Marussia, in one virgin piece, from Moscow to Minneapolis? When choosing an auto shipping company; which truck type to use, which service to order, and insurance are the basic things to consider.

Don't just settle for the first company you come by. Well known companies with trusted names you heard or read about are perhaps best regardless of cost. Often there are many companies posing as experts just looking to swindle you out of your money on their way to bankruptcy. There are plenty of reasonable and decent services out there so don't let paranoia take over. With some research and by asking around you can see which companies get the most recommendations and references.

You have the general choice of open and closed carriers when it comes to trucks. Open carriers are numerous and often used, they can be seen hauling vehicles within or between cites. The costlier approach is closed carriers, but the distance your car is to travel and the brand of the car needs to be taken into consideration. It is better, perhaps, to transport an exotic car in a closed carrier which prevents exposure to harmful elements as well as prying eyes.

Next, consider whether you want the truck to pick up your car from your place or whether you would rather drop it off at the company terminal. The car may take much longer to be shipped from the terminal and when it reaches its destination terminal, the owner must pick it up again himself: it's a slower and fussier service. Better to have the car picked up from your garage, where you and the driver can check the car for mileage and any damage already present before committing the vehicle to the company. When delivered at your destination, any damage unspecified in the signed list will be the company's responsibility. Most companies provide door-to-door shipping.

Cargo insurance if offered by the companies for each vehicle they transport. While it is handled by the company any damage done to the vehicle will be compensated. Liability insurance of a minimum $800,000 is usually arranged for, by the trucking companies, so damage to a large number of handled cars is taken care of.

Endangering the property of their clients is not found profitable by good lasting companies so they make sure you are insured. If an organization is the least bit reluctant to offer adequate insurance or they fail to mention it, beware. - 30242

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