Print Article for : Nuts And Bolts Achievements

Your Online Guide » Information on Cars » Automobile Guides

[N400]Nuts And Bolts Achievements

by Christine Harrell, Chr

Car shipping is a very safe way to transport your vehicle over long distances and the vast majority of cars and trucks arrive perfectly intact. But in the unlikely event that something happens, you want to be sure you are protected against substantial financial loss.

Examine the shipper's policy

During transit, damage to your vehicle will be covered by the shipper's own insurance policy. When shopping for carriers, ask for copies of each shipper's insurance certificate. If any of them give you static about this, cross them off your list.

Understand the difference between a shipper and a broker. A broker acts as a middleman to make a connection between a shipper and a customer. After that they are out of the picture so they will not carry any liability. You need the shipper to provide a copy of the insurance certificate.

Examine the policy. Although auto transport companies are required by law to carry insurance, the coverage can vary. Make sure the entire car is protected and not just certain parts like the body. Note any deductable or other costs you might be required to pay.

If the company promises you additional protection outside of their normal contract, get these assurances in writing.

Prepare the car

There are two insurance-related reasons to remove personal possessions before auto transport. First, the insurance won't cover the loss of any personal items. Second, any loose item might move around during transport and damage the interior; this kind of damage will also not be covered by insurance.

Take a few pictures of the interior and exterior of the vehicle after giving it a good cleaning. This will help you prove if any damage occurred during shipping.

The car will be inspected by the shipper when it is picked up. It is a good idea to be present during this inspection.

It will be checked again when it is dropped off and this is the more important of the two inspections. If you don't note any damage at this time, it will be impossible to hold the company liable later. Don't do a quick look over; be thorough. Check the undercarriage and start the vehicle up to ensure that everything is functioning.

If you find any damage, note it on the bill of lading and have the driver sign it.

Other auto transport tips for your protection

Check your own insurance policy to find out whether they also offer coverage during transport. Most don't, but it's always good to have additional protection. Those that do cover may require notification prior to shipping.

If your vehicle is damaged and the shipper is not taking responsibility you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. If the vehicle was transported across state lines, you can also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

* Form of Business. Depending on the type of consulting business that you want to operate, you may wish to run the business as a "sole proprietorship" or as a legal entity such as a corporation, legal partnership (such as a limited partnership or “LP”), or a newer type of entity called a limited liability company (also known as an “LLC”). You should talk to a lawyer or accountant for advice on choosing the form of your business. There are also online services that can help you form a corporation, partnership or LLC.

* Liability Insurance. You will want to obtain basic commercial general liability insurance to cover personal injuries or property damage caused by operation of your business. This type of policy also may cover loss or damage to the contents of your office (such as loss of a personal computer). You may need a commercial insurance policy even if you are doing your consulting work from home. In addition, certain consultants may need to obtain malpractice or errors and omissions (“E&O”) insurance. E&O insurance can be more expensive (e.g., more than $5,000 per year). Ask a commercial insurance agent for advice and quotes for rates.

* Health Insurance. Insurance for health issues is often a hurdle for persons leaving a job to become an independent consultant. With some research and planning, this should not be an obstacle. You may need to obtain your own health insurance policy, or rely upon the health insurance of your spouse. Consulting firms that have employees generally can purchase group insurance plans. For details, talk to a local health insurance broker or search and compare health insurers and plans online.

* Office. Your choice of an office will depend on the type of clients that you have and what you need to provide services to them. Many consultants today do not need an expensive office. They just work from home, because most of their work is done by telephone, by computer, or with on-site visits to clients. However, think carefully about whether you are suited to working at home or in a small office with no one else around. Compared to a traditional job environment, this can be very freeing, or very lonely. Also, pets and young children can be noisy at home. You might want to share an office with other consultants or business people, or rent an office from one of the many "turn-key" temporary office providers.

* Business License. Your town, city or county probably will require you to obtain a business license for a modest fee. You need to decide on the location of your office in order to get the license. In addition, if you are in a regulated profession (such as lawyers, doctors, or architects) or industry (such as finance, real estate or mortgages), you may need additional professional licenses or certifications.

* Consulting Contract. Using a written consulting contract is essential to protect you and your business from liability and misunderstandings, and to help you get paid for your work. Most consultants can get by using form contracts prepared or reviewed by a lawyer. They then customize the business terms and project description for each specific client. Pricing can be on a time-and-materials, fixed fee, or even commission or contingent fee basis. It is also important to protect your rights to your work, so that you can reuse it in other projects or for other clients as needed.

* Finances. This is another hurdle for new consultants, but it shouldn't be. For a small consulting business, there is little capital investment and no inventory, so finances are fairly simple. Software or online services can be real time-savers, and help you delay or avoid adding staff. Some consultants use spreadsheet software, while others will use accounting software. These permit simple tracking and billing on a time or project basis. If your consulting practice requires detailed tracking of lengthy time sheets or numerous fixed fee projects, you may want a more powerful (but more difficult to learn) time tracking and billing program. Other consultants will prefer a traditional bookkeeper instead of using software.

Use these tips to help you plan your consulting business quickly and get it off to a fast start.

Article Source : Certified Used Cars In

About Author

Both Christine Harrell & Tom Canyon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Christine Harrell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mortgage, Careers and Job Hunting and Personal Desktop. Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on , visit. Christine Harrell's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.

Tom Canyon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, Cars and Careers and Job Hunting. For more details, get a copy of our Free Report to , The Fast Start Guide to Becoming a Highly Paid Independent Consultant. We offer that and. Tom Canyon's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.