If you’re moving overseas, or if you’re staying abroad for a long time, then you may be considering taking your car with you. It’s a good idea, considering it’s easier to drive a car that you’re used to already, and why spend money on a new car when you have one waiting at home? But what comes with taking a car overseas? Let’s find out.
Shipping Companies
There are more car shipping companies available than you may think. Transporting a personal car overseas is a fairly common occurrence, and there are many shipping agencies who will gladly take on your vehicle as cargo.
Due to the amount of options at your disposal, it’s worth doing your research thoroughly and finding the most reliable shipping company you can, and finding the company that offers the best price! It’s worth considering going for reliability, reputation, and reviews over cost effectiveness, as your car is a valuable item, so it’s probably worth spending a little more for a reputable service.
Proof of Ownership
Any reputable shipping company will ask for iron-clad proof of ownership before they ship your vehicle. This is for obvious reasons, as you can imagine the amount of stolen cars that criminals try to move overseas on a daily basis!
You should have all of your paperwork in order to prove that the car is legally yours. This paperwork will include any documents covering your vehicle, such as insurance policies, your in date driving license, and most importantly, your legal proof of ownership. Do your research into exactly what paperwork you need to transport cars and make sure you have it all in order before you proceed.
Get Transport Insurance
The worry with shipping a car overseas is that there’s always the slight chance that your vehicle will end up at the bottom of the ocean! No matter how reputable your shipping company is, there’s always a certain margin for error, even if it’s just rough seas that add a few scrapes and bumps to your car, insurance is always important!
This is why international transport shipping insurance is readily available. These insurance policies will cover your vehicle for the duration of the trip, and ensure that you are compensated if anything at all happens to your car. Make sure you include a copy of this policy with the paperwork you hand over to the shipping company before they set sail!
Time
Shipping your car overseas will take time. Transporting your vehicle from the US to Europe could take anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks, and you should always be prepared for delays! So make sure you’ve shipped your car well ahead of time to avoid any disappointment.
Many companies will offer tracking services, but as your vehicle will be at sea, it’s not always guaranteed how reliable they may be. So give yourself plenty of time, and send your car a long time before you go.
International car shipping is a very achievable prospect in the modern age, and there’s no reason not to do it! Just do your research and follow these easy tips to ensure a smooth and safe shipment!
