Aside from the standard full coverage insurance that protects your vehicle against dents or damages that occur during the shipping and delivery of your vehicle, there is also an additional type of coverage offered to water-shipped cars: total loss. Total loss insurance pays you back in case the boat sinks or your vehicle is stolen at the destination port. Total loss is optional and it will cost 1.5 percent of the total cost of the vehicle. There is no deductible here, though, if you need to cash in.

Full coverage insurance is needed if you want protection against smaller damage, such as scratches, dents and other small issues. Most companies shipping internationally will not include this in the price of the shipping and will require an additional payment of 2.5 percent of the cost of the vehicle in order to cover it. There is a small deductible for this type of insurance, usually between $500-1,000.

When contracting an auto shipping service, make sure you read the small print to find out what are you being offered and what is optional, so you can choose wisely based on the cost of your vehicle and the risks up ahead.

Cleaning your car often does a lot more than making it look pretty. In fact, having a clean car can extend its life and save you lots of money in the long run. Other benefits:

• Wash and wax to prevent corrosion.

• Clean the inside of the car as well, as dirt particles, spilled food and liquids and other substances can be abrasive, causing damage that can amount to thousands of dollars.

• Apply leather protectant or use upholstery cleaners (depending on the material) to keep the seats in top shape.

• Wash the floor mats frequently. They are meant to prevent dirt and debris from getting into other parts of the car or flying around. They also provide insulation during the winter.

• Check the weatherstripping and make sure it’s in perfect condition. If you feel wind or rain coming in, repair the area immediately to avoid damage to the inside of your car.

• Fix windowshield cracks or chips. This is not merely a cosmetic issue, as cracks can let water in and turn into major (and costly) problems later on.

If you’re shipping your car internationally, there is a chance you may need to keep the vehicle in storage for a period of time. This can mean a nice, climate-controlled place in a storage unit, or it can mean a metal container on the dock. To make sure your car survives the storage process with no problems, there are some things you can do in advance:

1. Make sure the gas tank is not empty. That can cause condensation and lead to engine problems.

2. Find out where vehicles are stored and whether there is high humidity in the area. If so, ask if you can disengage the parking brake. Some companies may refuse, but if they don’t, this can help you avoid corrosion.

3. Make sure the car is clean. Wash it and wax it before shipping. This will protect the paint more than any other thing you do.

4. Ask whether the company can disconnect the battery for you at the destination port. Only do this if you expect the car to be in storage for over a month. It will keep the battery from draining.

5. Don’t put things in the trunk. Many companies will not allow this anyway, but even if they do, avoid storing things that can break, freeze or otherwise cause damage to your car.

It saves you money. While it’s true you are paying a large sum of money all at once, this is all inclusive. When driving, you can run into all sorts of additional expenses, from breakages to tolls to extra gas. It may feel like you’re paying less because you’re spreading the money over a longer period of time, but you’ll probably end up spending more.

It’s easier to plan your budget. Again, shipping your car requires a one-time payment, so you know what to expect. It’s a lot harder to factor in meals, tolls and other expenses for the drive.

You don’t add miles to your car. If you’re planning on selling your car in the future, saving miles can mean a nice price difference.

You avoid wear and tear. From bad roads to the chance of accidents or scratches to the simple wear and tear that comes with using your car everyday, shipping is a lot safer for your vehicle. If you choose enclosed car shipping, you are also protecting your car from the elements.

You get to rest. Moving is stressful, whether you’re shipping a car or not. Do you really want to add to add the physical demands of having to drive hundreds of miles across the country? Shipping your car means you can sit back and relax once the packing is done and before you get on your way to your new location.

If you are shopping for the right car shipping company, locating and comparing prices can be the biggest challenge. Rather than going around calling every single company in the phone book, you can search online for price comparison sites and tables to help you get a better idea of what is available.

A good place to get started is ProAutoTransport.com, which offers comparison tables for companies that ship within the US and Canada. Keep in mind that international movers are not included here, so if you’re looking to ship your car overseas, you need to look elsewhere. Also, the prices offered in sites like this should be considered general guidelines, not exact, billable totals.

If you want something more specific, you can look into www.autoshippingfinder.com, which allows you to specify your needs and car details and then sends your request to companies, which will then contact you directly with a price quote. While this is a lot more specific, it can also get confusing eventually, as there as many as 50 companies listed in their directories, and trying to remember what all of them said in separate emails can get overwhelming.

In the end, remember that taking your time to compare prices and services is essential to a safe and successful shipping, so research your options well, not matter how you do it.