Choosing an Car Transport Service in India

Choosing an Car Transport Service in India

Moving house? Need to transport your car from your old house to your new house? Here are some tips to help you choose an auto transport service, and for during the process of transporting your car.

Car transportation service is the primary source of transporting your car or automobile from one place to another, especially while moving house. It is somewhat akin to hiring a packing and moving service to transport your household goods from one place to another. The only difference is that the Car transport service will shift your car or vehicle from one place to another.

Therefore, it pays to ensure, as in any service you opt for, that you get a good deal while receiving great service from the service provider. Here are some tips which will guide you through the process and help you get the most value for money from the deal.

First, ask around for recommendations from friends. The advantage of this is that you get free advice and a glimpse at how different people have different experiences with different companies.

Second, shop around for quotes. Ask as many questions you want about all the different aspects of auto transport. Look at the company websites and ask for a quote. You may have to provide all the necessary details to get an accurate quote.

Then do your own research to see if these companies have the necessary licenses and registrations. This is very important.

Another aspect to research is the number of unresolved complaints in comparison with the volume of cars transported by the Car transport service. This should give you some idea of their effectiveness.

Ask the Car Transport company how they are going to transport the car: whether it will be in an open trailer, or an enclosed trailer. The pricing may vary but then so will the safety and security of your car.

Ask about the various options for insurance: will the company be insuring your car for the duration of the transportation?

Check your car insurance. Does it cover all these aspects such as theft and damage during transportation?

The quotes you receive should include all the pertinent information (apart from the pricing options) such as pick up dates for your vehicle, the time that they need for the transportation of your car, the methods of payment and the insurance options.

Once you have finalized which Car transport company to hire, make sure that you receive a copy of the contract. Read all the terms and conditions properly before you sign the contract.

To make your car transport ready, wash it properly (inside and outside) and remove all your personal belongings from the car. Items which normally remain in the car, such as the spare tire, etc., need to be tied down properly so that they don't move around during transportation.

While picking up your car, the driver should inspect the car for scratches and dents and make a note of these points in the bill of lading document which he will then give you.

When you receive the car from the Car transport service, check the car against this bill of lading document.

Also check the roof and under the car to see if you notice anything strange.

Keep all the documents that you receive in the course of these transactions. They may come in handy later in case of any disputes arising.

Another problem which may arise and cause delays is related to the auto transport service itself. Often, the auto transportation service transports about 8 to 10 cars in one direction or general location. So you may have to wait till the number of cars adds up for them. Make sure that you schedule for these delays. In such a case, you may want to look into authorizing a family member or neighbor to hand over and accept the car, especially for those times when you may not be home when the service comes to pick up your car.

While all these factors are important, do keep in mind that there are other factors which are out of control, even for the owners of the transport service. These factors are natural weather conditions, mechanical problems with the truck used to transport the car, road restrictions, etc.

Ideally, if all these things are managed well, transporting your car should not be so much of a problem.

Checklist for Moving

If you are planning to shift to a new place, you have hit the right link. This article shares a checklist that would help you in a sound shifting process.

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Shifting is not easy. After all, moving your entire world to another place is quite a tedious task. You can't simply pick everything from the current house and place it in the new one. For successful moving, it is important that you plan everything in advance.

Maintaining a checklist while moving helps you in this task as it makes your work more organized. It can help you to think and plan the smallest details. Given below is a stepwise checklist, along with the crucial moving tips that would make your shifting process smooth and easy.

Eight Weeks before - Getting Started

Choose the Movers: The first step is to search for a moving company. There are many such companies, but to get the best service suitable to your budget, you must do some research. Take the estimates from every company, compare them, and choose an affordable one. Provide the company with detailed information, such as moving date and the moving destination.

Inspect the New Apartment: If you are planning to use the old furniture, inspect the new house carefully so that you get an idea about how to fit the furniture. It will also give you an idea whether you need to buy new furniture.

Pick and Choose: Separate the items in your house that you wish to carry along with you to the new apartment, from the ones that you need to leave behind. Generally, the expensive and new articles can be shifted, while the old and out-of-use things are better left behind.

Transferring Records: You also need to think about transferring your medical and veterinarian records. Ask your current doctor if a new doctor can be suggested. You may also need to transfer the essential legal records. Apart from this, you will also need to transfer the school records of your kids (if you have any).

Six Weeks before - Getting Ready

Packing Essentials: Before you start packing, order for the supplies that you would require for it, such as, cartons, containers, wraps, and markers. Arrange for special packing in case of crucial stuff like glass furniture and computers.

Donate the Old Stuff: Things that you will not be taking along with you to the new place, but are in a good condition, can be donated. Dispose the things that are in an unusable state. Check if some items have a resale value.

Inform People: Let your friends, relatives, and colleagues know that you are moving. Make a list of people whom you want to say goodbye to, and call them or mail them for the same. Let them know the date of moving and do not forget to give them the new address and contact details.

Five Weeks before - Getting Prepared

Arrange for Arrival: You must visit the new place and make arrangements for storage. If possible, buy the required furniture. It is also important to clean the new house before you reach there. Also make arrangements for dinner, bathing, and sleeping for the day of arrival.

Look for Service Providers: Search for some good service providers, such as domestic help, babysitting, and newspaper service, and let the concerned people know about the date from which they can join.

Acquire Legal Documents: By now you must have all the important legal documents in hand. Get their extra copies and keep them safe. Revise the documents related to your health insurance, car insurance, and other policies.

Informing Service Providers: Inform your domestic help,milk man, baby sitter, and newspaper service provider of the current apartment that you are moving. You also need to tell them the date from which they should terminate the service and settle their accounts before leaving.

Three Weeks before - Getting Into Action

Start Packing: Start packing with the things that you don't use frequently. If possible, empty one room at a time, and keep the packed stuff inside that room. Use the packing supplies and write a note on each package with a marker. Also maintain a list of things, and tick against the things that are packed. This will keep you updated with the packing status.

Assemble Important Papers: A lot of important papers can get misplaced during shifting. Hence, it is important to assemble them in one bag or folder.

Pay the Bills: Pay the bills and retrieve all the items on loan, or notify your lenders about your move. Return the things that you have borrowed from someone.

One Week before - Crosschecking

Confirm With the Mover: Call up the mover and check if there is any change in the plan. Also, arrange for the mover's payments and road expenses.

Check with the Packing: See if you have packed everything properly. Go through the list you had made and see what else is left to be packed.

Electronic Appliances: Empty and defrost the refrigerator and clean it. Clean other appliances such as oven and microwave and pack them carefully.

Clean the House: Start cleaning the house as you pack. It should be left in a clean state for the new occupants.

On the Day - Move

Shift In: Shift all the packed stuff in the truck or carrier; carry only a handbag with you and some medicines if you will need them during your journey. See that everything is placed in the truck properly so that nothing gets damaged.

Check Locks: Check if you have switched off all the power supplies and closed all the water taps. Lock the house properly. Also check if you have taken the keys of the new house.

Moving Checklist Template

Although there are no fixed criteria for preparing the checklist, some important things should be included always. Given below is a sample checklist, which is a mini replica of the things, mentioned above. You can personalize it and prepare your own checklist as per your requirements.

Sample Checklist for Moving

Eight Weeks Before

Choose the mover.

Inspect the new apartment.

Choose the furniture you would carry to the new house.

Transfer school/ health/ bank/ medical records.

Six Weeks Before

Buy the packing supplies.

Donate the old stuff or hold a moving sale.

Inform important people about your moving.

Five Weeks Before

Get the new house cleaned and arrange for the food/ bathing/ bedding on the day of arrival at the new place.

Look for domestic help, newspaper service, and other essential services.

Complete all the legal procedures regarding the ownership or rent of the house.

Inform your old service providers about your moving.

Three Weeks Before

Start Packing.

Assemble all the important papers.

Pay the bills.

One Week Before

Confirm with the mover.

Verify the checking.

Check the electronic appliances.

Clean the house.

On the day

Ensure that all the things are loaded in the truck properly.

Keep the hand bag and other essentials handy.

Lock the old house and take the keys of the new apartment.