8 Tips on How to Protect Your Items from Being Damaged During a Move

Posted on September 9, 2019September 4, 2019 by Kalgard

Everyone experiences a few moves in their lifetime. We sometimes dread the process, concerned about moving to a new area, or adjusting to a different house. The one thing we often dread most of all is having our belongings damaged or destroyed during the move. Here are eight simple tips you can put to work during your next relocation to reduce the chances of damaged belongings.

Organize the Move

The more you handle an item, the more likely it is to be damaged. Plan your move so that the load in each vehicle is neatly arranged to prevent shifting and tipping of contents. Additionally, have a definite plan for where you will place the items so that you can minimize handling.

Pack Wisely

Proper packaging goes a long way toward preventing damage. Make sure boxes are correctly taped to avoid collapse. Balance their contents so that you can handle them carefully and fill any space with newspaper or another padding to minimize shifting.

Transport Carefully

Some things don’t belong in the moving van. The rough ride and potential for shifting contents pose a severe threat to their condition. According to Ian’s Interstate Movers (http://www.iansinterstatemovers.com/) you should transport the most valuable and fragile items in your passenger vehicle, and maybe even secure them with seatbelts to keep boxes from rolling into the floor.

Get Enough Help

Asking people to help you move is awkward, but it is far better to bring in an army than to be short-handed and end up breaking or damaging valuables. Never send two people to carry something that takes three and be on the lookout for ego trips (including your own) that might tax the limits of a worker’s strength.

Disassemble, Disassemble!

Time is of the essence on moving day, so it often feels wiser to transport items without taking them apart. However, this can make it difficult to load and too heavy to carry. It can also put pressure on connections- warping the item. Take things apart and transport them in pieces.

Invest in Good Containers

It’s a time-honored tradition of moving to spend days searching for boxes, but those containers are often already damaged or only have the capacity for much lighter work. By spending a few dollars on the right moving cartons, you’ll have secure sides and bottoms and fresh tape to hold it all together–and to hold your contents inside.

Remember the Details

We often do well on caring for large items during a move, but sometimes the small belongings miss the list. Some examples are pieces of jewelry. Improper handling can dislodge the stones, scratch pendants, and tangle up chains. Pack these items in styrofoam egg cartons to keep each piece (cheaply) separated from the others.

Get Expert Help

Some jobs are suited for do-it-yourselfers, and some are not. Moving can go either way, depending on how much help, experience, and transportation you have available. A significant benefit to hiring a mover is that the company will carry insurance to cover damages to your items. Making your move can’t offer that protection.

Moving is a big job, and it’s never going to be easy. However, you can do a lot to reduce the risk of having your valuables damaged or destroyed during the packing, moving, and unloading processes. These tips are a great start toward planning a worry-free move.

Whose Car Insurance Covers an Accident | Fault vs No Fault States

Posted on March 2, 2018January 26, 2018 by Kalgard

Traditional personal injury and motor accident insurance covers are so crucial that most states make it law for all motorists to insure themselves, their passengers and third parties against personal injury losses. Furthermore, these state laws always require that we protect the property of others through liability insurance so that our insurers indemnify them if our actions, intentional or not, cause them injuries or damage their property.

1. Determining Fault and Liability

State legislation determines how traffic laws are phrased and enforced. Authorities anticipate that if all laws are adhered to by all motorists, accidents would seldom occur. Only natural disasters would then cause injuries and auto damages to road users. To protect law-abiding motorists, their passengers, and pedestrians, these laws describe fault as the breach of traffic laws that cause accidents. Furthermore, the laws place the burden of liability for injuries and property destruction on the at-fault motorists. They further dictate that all motorists should protect their passengers and third parties from their possible accident-causing faults.

2. What Happens If You Are At Fault and You Suffer Loss?

Your liability insurance only indemnifies your passengers and third parties when you cause an accident. Fortunately, you won’t have to pay their medical bills and consequential losses. Unfortunately, your liability insurance will never pay for your injuries and subsequent losses. However, according to upsideinsurancegreenville.com, you can purchase additional collision coverage. This type of coverage pays for damage to your vehicle in an accident where you are at-fault. Since this is a relatively inexpensive auto insurance, most insurance agents recommend adding this to your policy.

3. No-Fault Insurance

Most Americans, especially the industry professionals, refer to this insurance policy as personal injury protection. Considerate lawmakers in some states recommend and sometimes even oblige motorists to take this policy. It protects all accident victims from personal accident injury losses. Personal injury protection covers have no regard for fault or liability; they protect and indemnify their clients only regardless of what or who may have caused an accident.

4. How No-Fault Insurance Works

No-fault insurance does not replace liability insurance. No-fault insurance states recommend or require that motorists acquire personal insurance protection in addition to their liability insurance. When and if a motorist causes an accident, no-fault insurance states effectively eliminate personal medical crises. While liability insurers only cover second and third parties medical bills, no-fault insurers cover medical bills for at-fault drivers. The policy is, therefore, a good complement to liability insurance covers.

Please note that personal injury protection does not property damage loss. Also, personal injury protection prohibits you from pursuing normal tort compensation unless your injuries surpass certain state thresholds.

Certain State Thresholds

No-fault insurance only covers you on:

Medical bills accrued from minor personal injuries incurred in an accident
Lost earnings for a specified duration of time due to personal accident injuries
Minor out-of-pocket damages resulting from accidents

Every state stipulates different thresholds which justify accident victims to breach the rule prohibiting liability prosecution for pain and suffering damages. Therefore, if you determine that your pain and suffering surpass stipulated state thresholds, you can pursue tort insurance justice if:

Your accident injuries included fractured or broken bones
You incurred considerable disfigurement
You suffered long-term disability
You incurred medical bills that surpassed your no-fault insurance coverage

How to Store Your Car Long Term in Self Storage

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Kalgard

Self-storage is a great way to minimize costs and take care of your vehicle. Nevertheless, without the proper setup, your car could be at serious risk. Let’s look at how to put your car in long term auto storage. Shield from the Elements and Rodents Wind, dampness, daylight, and rain all can be incredibly damaging […]

How to Prepare Your Car for a Long Distance Move

Posted on March 29, 2017September 4, 2019 by Kalgard

Moving across the country can mean extra wear and tear on the family car. Before driving hundreds of miles with all of your household belongings, we’ve worked with this Dallas moving company (Facebook | Google Plus) to list a few ways to prep your vehicle before embarking on a long distance move. Keep in mind that while most moving companies are only authorized to transport household goods, there are a handful of movers out there that provide vehicle shipping services as well. This is a great option if you don’t want to put the extra miles on your vehicle. If you don’t have that option, however, here are the best ways to prep your auto:

Get It To Your Mechanic

Since driving long distances can put a lot of stress on a vehicle, you’ll need to make sure that your ride is in top working condition. Before you head out on your journey, it’s wise to take your car for a tune-up with a trustworthy mechanic. They’ll be able to troubleshoot any major or minor problems that your vehicle may be facing. To avoid serious problems on the day of the move, try and schedule an appointment at least a week before your big trip.

Get an Oil Change

If your car is overdue for an oil change, make sure that it’s taken care of before it’s time to move. While most cars can drive at least 3,000 miles before they need a refill, a cross-country trip can add lots of miles to your vehicle and require additional changes. If you’re not sure that your car needs an oil change, it’s better to be safe than sorry and get the job done anyway, as the last thing you need is for your car to break down while moving.

Clean Your Car

This tip depends on how you’re planning to move your car. If you’re driving to your new home, you technically don’t need to have it completely cleaned out, as it’s most likely jam-packed with household belongings and family members. However, if you decide to have your car shipped instead, it’s best to clean the interiors and remove any loose items that could shift around and damage your vehicle during shipping. It’s also a good idea to leave less than a quarter of a tank of gas to reduce the chance of vapor combustion, and to remove or secure all gadgets and accessories, such as organizers, tire rims, or decorative lights, to protect them from damage as well.

Check Your Tires

Finally, make sure that your tires are properly inflated and in good working order. If a few are looking worn or shabby, it might be a good idea to invest in new tires before your move. It’s also a good idea to purchase a quality spare tire and repair kit and learn how to change a tire as well. And while this is a very practical step when driving your car to a new destination, you should also consider checking the tires when having your car shipped, as you never know when you’ll need to move a car while en-route.

If you are storing your vehicle during your move, follow all these steps plus a few additional precautions. With some planning, your car will be protected throughout the transition process.

Reasons Why You Should Get Your Oil Changed Regularly

Posted on November 12, 2016March 29, 2017 by Kalgard

It’s one of the cheapest maintenance procedures on a vehicle, and it’s also crucial to the well-being of your engine. Changing your oil should be on your agenda as regularly as getting your heart checked. Not keeping up with your oil changes could result in ultimately needing to replace the entire engine, which is so […]

Steps for Preparing Your Vehicle for Auto Transport

Posted on November 5, 2016January 26, 2018 by Kalgard

You’re moving across the country, all packed and ready to go except for that one last, but very important item. You need to figure out something to do with that sweet little sports car you adore. It doesn’t make sense to add miles to it driving it across the country, plus your wife probably expects you to be the one driving the family minivan. Shipping it via an auto transporter is probably the best idea for reducing the wear and tear to your vehicle in route to your new home.

Before you pass your car off to an auto shipping company, you’ll want to make sure it’s ready to go. Prepare with these 10 easy steps so your car can be safely delivered to your new home.

Steps for Preparing Your Car for Shipment

Insurance: The auto transport company must carry a certain level of insurance coverage as mandated by the FMCSA. Be sure to ask the carrier for proof of insurance and the level of coverage provided to make sure it’s adequate. You may also check your carrier’s Department of Transportation registration, insurance status, and safety record on the FMCSA website. Also, inform your own insurance provider of your planned move and inquire about what your personal policy will cover should something go amiss.
Check and Wash Your Vehicle: Always check for scratches and dents to the body of your car. Check the interior for wear and tear, and make sure that everything is intact. Take plenty of pictures before your car leaves your hands in the event of a dispute so you can back up your claims.
Custom Parts: If your vehicle has removable customized parts like spoilers or undercarriage lights, ensure you remove them to prevent damage. These will need to be shipped separately or as part of your household goods shipment.
Maintenance: Checkup on fluids, brakes, and other forms of maintenance to make sure your car is in good shape. Make sure that your tires are fully inflated and repair or seal any fluid leaks. Notify the transport company of any leaks to prevent damaging another person’s vehicle.
Battery: Make sure that your battery is fully charged. This is very important, especially when shipping overseas. An extra fee may be charged if your car fails to start when the shipper goes to the roll the vehicle off the rig.
Gasoline: Most shipping companies request that vehicles be at a quarter tank of gas when they are dropped off for shipment. This minimizes the danger from excessive flammable liquids, but enables the car to still be driven once it’s unloaded. Do not top off the tank.
Put the top up: For convertible vehicles, ensure that the tops are closed and secured, and make sure that your windows are completely rolled up.
Car alarms: Always disable your car alarm and give the alarm remotes to the transportation company in case the alarm was not properly disengaged. For vehicles with remote starter systems, ensure you provide the remotes for these as well.
Payment: Most carriers require an initial deposit and a balance upon delivery. Make sure you have the means to pay when the car arrives at the destination or the carrier can hold it until payment is tendered. Fortunately, shipping a vehicle is far less expensive than moving the rest of your household goods across the country. The cheapest auto shipping companies cost as little as $500 for a long-distance haul.
Patience: Weather, traffic, and other unknowns may cause a delay. If you’re shipping overseas, most transportation companies won’t even give you a guaranteed arrival date because ports and customs are too unpredictable. Make some arrangements for alternative transportation while you await your vehicle’s arrival, and prepare to be patient.

Start preparing your vehicle for transport well in advance; don’t wait until the last minute. Get a list of specific requirements from the transportation company to make sure you have everything covered.

5 Easy Steps for Changing Your Flat Tire

Posted on October 26, 2016March 29, 2017 by Kalgard

A flat tire is not something that anyone wants to deal with, but chances are you’ll encounter one at some point in your driving career. Flat tires seem to strike at the worst times – like when you’re on the way to an important business meeting or in the middle of moving across the country. […]