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.

Motorcycles need to be less than 40” wide and 96” long in order to be shipped as a standard vehicle. Anything bigger than that will require special shipping arrangements, as the platforms used to secure motorcycles within enclosed shipping trucks cannot support other sizes.

The shipping company will also need to know the weight of your bike. There is no limit on this aspect, but you won’t be able to secure a space until the weight has been established. If you have the original manual for your bike, the weight and dimensions will be specified there. Otherwise, you can conduct a search online to find your bike’s model and see what the specifications are.

While you are required to leave some gas in the tank of a car, you should completely drain the tank of your motorcycle. Steering should be unlocked and all items from inside glove box should be removed. You don’t need to give the key either, as motorcycles are moved by towing, rather than driving them inside the transport truck.

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.

When searching for a car shipping company, price is only one of the many things you need to keep in mind. This is especially true if you are shipping an exotic or one-of-a-kind vehicle or if you have special circumstances that need to be addressed, such as the need for storage (rather than immediate delivery) once the car makes it to its destination.

If you’re searching online for a car shipping company, your best bet is to look into directories, which will list several companies and most likely offer comparison tables. Many directories are also arranged by state or city, so you can find a local company. This can help you cut costs and make things easier by dealing with an organization that knows your area and can arrange pick-ups faster.

If you have a special vehicle that you need shipped, such as a motorcycle or a boat, you want a company that specializes in that or that at least has a specific department or division that can deal with the particularities of shipping that. Large companies are not necessarily better than local ones, but they may have more manpower and experience, especially when it comes to special cases or shipping to particular destinations.