How to Transport Privately Owned Vehicle for Military Personnel
One thing every serviceman or woman has learnt to live with is the fact that they can receive sudden orders to relocate. Sometimes the order may be to relocate within the US which is known as contiguous U.S. (CONUS) or outside these areas which is known as (OCONUS). No matter the location of the move, there is still a level of stress involved in moving one’s family from one location to the other. However, when it is an OCONUS move, it becomes more stressful and tedious.
Although the military have stipulated allowances for such moves based on the rank and position, there are limitations to these allowances. That is why it is important to work with companies that offer specific military vehicle transport services in order to safely transport your POV to your new location. POV in this case means Privately Owned Vehicle.
Although shipping a military vehicle and that of a civilian basically involves getting the vehicles from one location to the other, there are a few peculiarities. That is why this article will explore how military car transport works and how to get the best deal.
How Does Military Vehicle Transport Work?
Like we mentioned shipping military vehicle is basically moving the car from one base to another. However, the peculiarity in this case is that oftentimes, their relocation orders usually come on short notice. This short notice therefore makes the shipping more expensive than regular shipping.
The number of auto transport companies that offer shipping services to places like Guam, Hawaii, Alaska and international locations are fewer than those who do the contiguous U.S. This therefore makes the process more complicated for people who receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders outside the contiguous U.S.
Military Vehicle Shipping Versus Standard Car Shipping
Although the process for military vehicle transport is more complicated, there are companies that understand the process and are positioned to offer unique services tailored for these service men and women. These auto transport firms understand how destination can change last minute, the short notices and the documentation required for such moves.
Based on this understanding, the following are the key differences between the two types of services:-
- More favourable rebates and options for military clients only which reduce their out-of –pocket spending.
- Extended window for pickup and delivery to accommodate uncertain and irregular military timelines.
- Exceptions made for vehicle pick up and drop off by a third party with power of attorney forms.
- In depth knowledge of auto transport to and from different military bases and also overseas FPO/APO addresses. You can visit this site: https://veteran.com/apo-fpo-dpo-mail/ for more information.
Tips for Getting the Best Company for Shipping Military Vehicle
The following are some tips to help you get the best company for your auto transport as a serviceman or woman:-
Always Prepare Ahead
This may sound like an oxymoron because we have earlier pointed out that the major difficulty associated with military auto transport is the short notice given for relocation. However, it is easy to prepare ahead because every military personnel or associated career that needs to move at short notice already know this fact. Therefore, you can always research auto transport companies in your region once you get to a new station.
Get all the information you need about shipping companies that provide specific military shipping services. Then go ahead and pick the one that appeals most to you and file their info for when needed.
Get Referrals and Read Reviews
As part of your research for the best company for your move, you need to get referrals from people who have used the service before you. You should also talk to your Transportation Office Counsellors (TOs) because they have a wealth of experience in this regard.
When you have gathered enough referrals, go ahead and visit the websites of the recommended companies. Read the reviews and find out what past customers have to say about the company. This will give you an insight on what to expect from the companies and which one will suit you best.
Bear in mind that the reputation of the company is very important and this can also be seen through customer reviews. Additionally, you can check out their ratings on individual review sites such as BBB. Click here to find out how to use BBB to ascertain a company’s reputation.
Look out for Insurance
Moving a car from one location to another can be quite risky because there are a number of things that can go wrong. Therefore, it is expedient that you find out the type of insurance that the company has in place.
Conclusion
No matter how many times one has to relocate, it never gets easier. That is why we have put together the above information to help you as a serviceman or woman to always be prepared to move. Getting the right company to move your POV makes a whole lot of difference so bear these tips in mind going forward.
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