| Let the Adventure Begin! A Week-by-Week Guide to Moving Abroad
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26 Weeks Until Overseas Move: International Moving Tips (Part 2) - International Auto Shipping & International Moving Insurance
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| Should You Bring Your Car Overseas?
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If you are contemplating shipping your car abroad, check with auto shipping companies (click here for a list of auto shippers) about rates, rules, import duties and other regulations. Also, ask other expats in your future destination what they would recommend.
For most, the decision comes down to whether it will cost less to bring their own car or to lease or buy a car abroad.
Here are some helpful suggestions from members of ExpatExchange about cars:
"Some countries are very expensive to rent a vehicle. Mainly because of high theft rates e.g. South America, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. It is often cheaper to purchase a used car, unless the company is covering the cost or supplying a vehicle."
"We did not get a car as part of our relocation package, and have found public transportation very easy and usually convenient, but the lack of a car limited the places we could live (close to a train station). We are currently looking to buy a car to get us places we cannot go on public transport. Getting along without a car was a good learning experience, but I would recommend insisting on a car as part of the deal because it would make the relocation process much easier, especially if there is a family involved."
"Buying from others in your community is a much easier, and sometimes more reliable option than embarking on the economy. Wait a few weeks and see if it really is essential. Many Americans assume they need a car automatically, while it might be much less of a hassle to take public transport, safer and cheaper."
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| International Moving Insurance
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Colin Gordon from The MIGroup wrote an informative article for ExpatExchange, entitled Insuring Your Valuables Against the Odds. Here are some of the highlights:
- Statistics show that on average, the physical process of moving results in one damage or loss claim for every four relocations, although the more experienced specialists in international moving often have a much better claims record of one in every 10 or more relocations. With more complicated and often longer journeys, international transfers increase the odds.
- Comprehensive, all-risk insurance provides coverage against these hazards, large or small. You should always consider this type of insurance - anything else is false economy.
- To determine the appropriate amount of insurance coverage, you must not only understand the potential for risk, but you must also be able to accurately estimate the value of your household possessions.
- Valuation is the most important consideration in defining adequate coverage. In other words, insurance protection is based on your accurate assessment of the value of your household goods, established long before the family goes abroad.
- An itemized "valued" inventory is necessary to ensure that, in the event of a claim, the appropriate amount can be paid in settlement. In addition, this inventory and the type of policy you choose form the basis on which premiums are assessed. In some assignment locations, where the risk to personal property is great because of civil disturbances or natural disasters, it is useful to update the inventory on a regular basis to keep current records of your household goods.
- Completing the insurance application with detailed valuations is time consuming and complicated. Don't rush this vitally important task. Allow yourself enough time. Be thorough with the valuation, and be specific. Keep in mind that items not declared are not insured.
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This issue was prepared by ExpatExchange.com
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