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.

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 shipping your car on an open carrier during the week of Halloween, you will want to have adequate coverage because your car could get “egged” during transport.  If you’ve never experienced getting egged before, it can actually chip your paint.  So, make sure that the auto transport company you choose offers a full coverage insurance policy in case of any damages to your car.

On the day of delivery, if your car is damaged, you can feel confident about being covered because you have adequate insurance coverage. Your car shipping company should not have a problem reimbursing you for damages. But if they should happen to refuse reimbursement, you can simply file a report with the BBB.

Tip: On the day of pick-up, make sure that you receive a copy of your vehicle’s inspection report.  This report will state the condition of your vehicle such as current damages to your car such as nicks and scratches. You will want to keep this report with you for the day that your car is delivered. Also, make sure you thoroughly inspect your vehicle.

When it comes to shipping your car, some things apply to everybody: inspections, contracts and paperwork. If you’re shipping your car internationally, however, there are some special considerations that need special attention to make sure the trip is as uneventful as possible (and that’s definitively what you want when it comes to shipping your car!).

Do you speak the local language at the arrival port? If not, it probably makes sense to spend some extra money and have an agent meet you at your destination to help with the pick up of the car. This is especially important because there will be documents to sign, which you should only do after close inspection.

Make sure you know what you’re getting. International shipping is usually not door-to-door. Instead, you will be expected to show up at the port and process the receipt of the car on your own. Sending somebody else on your place usually not acceptable, so make sure you will be there in time to take the car.

Find out what taxes you will be responsible for at the destination port. Ask the shipping company first, but don’t count with them knowing the exact details or amount. If you get conflicting information, contact the port yourself or talk to your local embassy to see if they have a direct number you can use.

Will you be there to pick up the car? Rules may be different in other countries, and while you might be able to choose somebody to accept the delivery within the US, this option may not be available elsewhere.  

Is car shipping always a good idea? Most of the time, the answer is yes. However, there are a few occasions on which doing so can actually not be a good choice.

• If you need your car delivered on a specific date. Car shipping companies will give an estimate, but they can’t promise you a specific date (and you should be wary of any company that does so).

• If you won’t be available to pick up your car ASAP. After 24-48 hours, storage fees will start running.

• If you have a really expensive, unique car but are not willing to pay for enclosed shipping. An open carrier is not a good choice for a custom-made car. You need protection from the elements.

• If you’re not willing to do your homework. You shouldn’t sign up with the first company you talk to. This will not only end up costing you more, but it will also shortchange your chances for negotiation regarding price, warranty coverage and pick up and delivery issues.

• If you can’t bother to get your car ready. You will need to take photos of your car (to compare its condition at the time of delivery), clean out the trunk, tighten or remove lose objects and empty the car of fluids (almost but not completely). You need to put some time into getting your car ready for pick up in order to avoid complications later on.