Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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Everything to know about collision insurance
Puerto Rico’s roads
Puerto Rico’s traffic
 

Everything to know about collision insurance

Collision insurance for your car is exactly what the name suggests that it is, insurance that will cover you in case you get into an accident with another car or an object such as a telephone pole. What many people do not know is that having it is an optional part of your car insurance policy.

As with other forms of insurance, auto collision insurance comes with a deductible. So, if you have a $1,000 deductible, and you get into an accident that causes your car &5,000 worth of damage, insurance will cut you a check for $4,000. You also need to be aware that your car’s collision insurance will not cover things such as damage to another person’s car, any medical bills or any damage whatsoever that is not the direct impact of a collision.

As you might imagine, the vast majority of people that can afford collision insurance get it. That is because it is important no matter where you are driving. However, it is even more important if you are going to have a car in Puerto Rico, specifically in a highly populated area such as San Juan.
 

Puerto Rico’s roads

Driving in Puerto Rico in general and, more specifically, driving around in more populated areas puts you at a higher risk of a collision than you would be in most places in the United States. This is due to two factors: the condition of the roads and the careless and dangerous way that other people drive.

The roads in Puerto Rico have cracks and potholes in various spots throughout the island. This is due to the more extreme inclement weather and precipitation over the history of the island which includes several massive hurricanes.
 

Puerto Rico’s traffic

The traffic in Puerto Rico can be extremely dangerous. Other motorists will often speed, go right through stop signs, stop suddenly, and turn without signaling from an improper lane. All of this can easily lead to a major collision or at least a fender bender.

If you end up getting into a collision without collision insurance, you will easily be responsible for hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your own car. Odds are that you will have at least a few close calls throughout your time driving in Puerto Rico. So, it is better to be safe than sorry and pay for collision insurance if you plan on driving in Puerto Rico. If you wait until you have an accident to get collision insurance, the damage from that accident will not be covered and the rates will be higher.

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Underbody basics
Underbody protection in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Underbody basics

The underbody of a car is everything on the bottom of the car that faces the ground. It is important to take good care of this because much of it is open and exposed. This means parts of your car like the axels, muffler and various critical engine components are exposed to potential damage. The potential for damage stems primarily from small road debris and moisture from inclement weather.

This might not seem like much but over time it will certainly add up. Once it does, the cost of repairing or replacing these parts could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The way to avoid this and keep your car’s underbody protected is by getting an underbody coating. This will become hardened and act as a barrier that prevents moisture, salt, dirt and small road debris from harming the car’s underbody. Obviously, larger debris can still do damage. Make sure that you have an auto body professional such as a mechanic apply this.
 

Underbody protection in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s roads are unfortunately a perfect storm for potential underbody damage. You have dirt and sand from the beaches and rural areas being tracked all over the roads. Cracks and potholes which are frequently found here, lead to small rocks all over the road. Finally, there is more than enough rain in certain areas to cause damage to your underbody over time.

There are a ton of other things for you to worry about out on the road in Puerto Rico. This includes wild driving habits like people turning left from the right lane and going through red lights, frequent animal crossings and poorly conditioned roads. There is no reason that you should also need to stress about the underbody of your car constantly. Thus, you should schedule an appointment to get your underbody coated as soon as possible.
 

Conclusion

The underbody of your car is always exposed. This makes it one of the most vulnerable areas of the vehicle to damage as well as rapid wear. In Puerto Rico, the road is full of elements that can easily corrode and wear away at the elements of the underbody of your vehicle. These include dirt/sand, small rocks and moisture from the weather. If you want to protect your car from damage that will eventually cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to fix or replace, you need to get an underbody coating as soon as you can. Remember, you need to have a professional do this.

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An introduction to shock absorbers
How shock absorbers make an extra difference in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

An introduction to shock absorbers

Shock absorbers are devices that make sure that your tires stay in contact with the road while you drive. This is important because it not only keeps your drive from being too bumpy, but it also goes a long way to help with steering and handling. Specifically, shock absorbers are pumps that absorb the energy of movement in order to protect your cart, its components, and you.

There are three main types of shock absorbers: telescopic, spring seat and strut type. Telescopic shock absorbers are the most basic type of shock absorber, the least expensive and the lowest quality of the three types. Strut shock absorbers are the most complex and best of the three types of shock absorbers on cars. They are made to absorb much larger forces and can be repaired instead of just being replaced. Spring seat shock absorbers are pretty similar to telescopic shock absorbers, they are a bit better in terms of shock absorption but that is about it.
 

How shock absorbers make an extra difference in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, shock absorbers are quite important. This is because of a few reasons. The first is that the roads are not in great condition at all. Due to hurricanes over the years such as Hurricane Maria, lots of potholes and cracks have developed on the roads. Many have been repaired but there is a long way to go. If you hit one of these without reliable shock absorbers, you can damage your car or, much worse, lose control of the car and get into an accident.

The other primary reason that good shock absorbers are extra important in Puerto Rico is because of how intense traffic can be. We are not referring to traffic jams, but we are referring to the way that many other drivers will drive quite haphazardly. Many motorists in Puerto Rico will frequently do things such as roll through stop signs, turn without signaling, and stop abruptly and park in the middle of the road. On top of that, there are frequently pedestrians and animals crossing the road without warning. As a result of all of this, you will find yourself stopping abruptly fairly often. You will need reliable shocks to help absorb the momentum of doing so.
 

Final word

Shock absorbers are a very basic necessity for any vehicle no matter where you are. In Puerto Rico they are even more important than they already are normally. The number of potholes and cracks in Puerto Rico’s roads combined with the often unpredictable traffic and pedestrian/animal crossings are why shocks are so crucial in Puerto Rico.

When you need your car moved to Puerto Rico and want an easy and stress free experience, get in touch with Puerto Rico Car Transport so you can put those shock absorbers to work.

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Towns and places to visit on the west coast of Puerto Rico
How you can get around when you are there
Conclusion
 

Towns and places to visit on the west coast of Puerto Rico

The west coast of Puerto Rico is considerably less popular than the east coast. This is because the east coast has the premier tourist destination, biggest port and capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan. However, if you stay in Puerto Rico for more than a few days to a week or visit more than once, you should make your way over to the western side of Puerto Rico.

A few of the most popular towns in western Puerto Rico are Rincon, San German, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo and Mayaguez. The overall makeup of the western coast of Puerto Rico includes beaches with surfing and fishing, restaurants, a massive forest and much more.

Specifically, there are a bunch of things on the west side of Puerto Rico that you should definitely consider making part of your stay. The first are the picturesque beaches. This includes Maria’s beach, Domes beach, Sandy beach, Crash Boat beach, and Villa Pesquera beach. Some of these beaches serve as great surf spots while all are great places for relaxing and getting a tan.

Some of the best restaurants in the western half of Puerto Rico are Mi Familias Pizzeria, La Cambija, Kahuna Burger Bar and Grill, Cinco, Zazones, Desecheo and much more. The variety of restaurants in western Puerto Rico will range from Caribbean food, to Latin food to seafood and more.

Finally, the very best attractions in the western part of Puerto Rico include a dry forest called Bosque Seco de Guánica that has over nine thousand acres for bike riding, hiking, and birdwatching. There is also a wildlife refuge, salt flats, a lighthouse, and horseback riding. You can find out where you can find all of these wonderful beaches, restaurants and attractions here.
 

How you can get around when you are there

All of the wonderful things to do and see in western Puerto Rico are not in one small area. In fact, they are spread out over hundreds of miles. So, you will obviously need a method of transportation in order to get around.

Unfortunately, this part can get expensive. If you really want to get the full experience of west Puerto Rico, you should spend at least ten days to two weeks there. For longer periods of time like this, rentals can limit what you can do, and the expense can add up quickly and will not stop until you return the vehicle.

Fortunately, you do have another option that is not using taxis and/or ride share apps. You can always ship your car to Puerto Rico. This is an especially good option if you plan no staying in Puerto Rico for an extended period. Not only will this be the most convient and comfortable option, but for longer stays it will likely help you save some money and stress.
 

Conclusion

People often entirely miss the incredible opportunity to visit the west side of Puerto Rico because of how popular the San Juan area of Puerto Rico is. They are missing out on amazing beaches, gorgeous rainforest, incredible restaurants and much more. If you do plan on visiting west Puerto Rico, you will need a way to get around. As long as it is not a short stay, your best bet will be to ship your car there.

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The best places to use a moped in Puerto Rico
Advice for riding your moped safely
Conclusion
 

The best places to use a moped in Puerto Rico

Mopeds are fairly popular in Puerto Rico. You will see them in various areas across the island. However, what many people tend to not understand is that these moped riders you see are experienced residents of Puerto Rico who have been navigating traffic there for years.

Generally, Puerto Rico has very dense and aggressive traffic across the island, particularly in areas such as San Juan. However, that also includes the interisland highways on your way to places such as El Yunque National Rainforest. This means the main island of Puerto Rico is generally not a great place for inexperienced riders to use their mopeds.

With that being said, riding your mopeds for short trips on the main island of Puerto Rico should be fine as long as you exercise caution. If you really want to be able to enjoy a long ride on your moped in Puerto Rico without dense and crazy traffic, you should consider the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

These are smaller islands off the coast of the main island of Puerto Rico. They are both absolutely beautiful and much less populated than the main island. In fact, there are very few cars on the islands due to the fact that there is no bridge connection between either and the main island of Puerto Rico. There are people who rent cars and emergency vehicles out on the roads on the lesser known islands, but they are far and few in-between.

The one thing to keep in mind about using a moped on these islands is that you only have two options: you can rent one when you get there, or you can take one with you on the ferry. Unfortunately, you will not be able to ride there or even ship your moped there.
 

Advice for riding your moped safely

The heavy and unpredictable traffic in Puerto Rico will make riding your moped in most places a bit of a dangerous trip. Other drivers do not do a very good job at paying attention and obeying very basic traffic laws such as not running red lights.

This means you will need to do whatever is in your power to stay safe while you are on your moped in Puerto Rico. First and foremost, wear a helmet at all times. You also always need to be aware of your surroundings and pay attention.

Keep extra distance between you and the vehicles on the road in Puerto Rico as they have more of a tendency to stop short and/or change lanes suddenly without signaling. You should also take extreme caution when crossing any intersection. Finally, you need to drive defensively at all times.
 

Conclusion

If you plan on riding a moped on the main island of Puerto Rico, you will need to do so with an extreme amount of caution at all times. There is a ton of traffic and much of it drives very aggressively. However, as long as you are knowledgeable of the roads in Puerto Rico, are an experienced moped rider and do exercise caution, you should be fine for short trips. You can also consider riding your moped on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra and Vieques. You will need to take a ferry to get there and there are moped rentals available if you do not feel like lugging one onto the ferry.

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Know what you are doing
Do your homework
Be honest with your car transporter
Give yourself some flexibility
Conclusion
 

Know what you are doing

Before you ship you ship your car, you should research the process. You need to know what you must to do to prepare. Things like having the car cleaned before pickup and only having a quarter tank of gas are things that you need to do in order to prepare for your shipment, yet many people do not know that.
 

Do your homework

Researching the companies that you are considering shipping your car with is a critically important step in the auto transport process. You should read online reviews on sites like Google and Transport reviews. These reviews will let you know how real past customers feel about a particular company and the service that they received from that company.

You will also want to call each company and ask them a few questions. These questions include asking them what services they offer, how their pricing works, and anything else that might make you hesitant to ship.
 

Be honest with your car transporter

It is important that you are honest with your auto transporter about your car’s make and model as well as its condition. If you are not, your car might not be able to be transported and then you will lose out on your deposit. If you need to reschedule your shipment because you gave incorrect shipping details during your booking, the new transport that you book could possibly take weeks before your car is picked up.
 

Give yourself some flexibility

Most car shipping companies will give you pick-up and delivery “windows”. This simply means that you will be given a date range of about three days where your car will be picked-up or delivered. When it comes to shipping a car, it is not possible to say with complete certainty when exactly your vehicle will be picked up or dropped off. This is because there are factors at play which are completely unpredictable such as traffic and weather.

So, you should do whatever you can to be flexible with the dates of your shipment. If this means being without your car for a day or two, you are better off than trying to get your vehicle delivered on an exact date which is nearly impossible. For example, if you are moving from Puerto Rico to a new home in Panama your vehicle shipment will likely take over a week, which means you might have to go a few days without your car.
 

Conclusion

Shipping your car can be a great way to make traveling or moving easier and less stressful. However, if you are shipping your car for the first time, you could possibly find the process confusing. All you need to do to get the most out of your auto transport experience is to do your research before you ship and then prepare for your shipment once you book it.

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Why a dash camera can make a huge difference in Puerto Rico
Dash cam 101
Conclusion
 

Why a dash camera can make a huge difference in Puerto Rico

A dash camera is an extremely useful tool when it comes to defending yourself from being held responsible for an accident that was not your fault. In reality, if you are driving and someone cuts you off and/or stops short and you hit them from behind, even though it is their fault, you will be held accountable for the damage to both cars.

That is because after the accident has occurred, there is no actual proof of what exactly happened except for the damage to both cars. In that particular circumstance, the driver who was hit from behind gets no fault because, generally, there is nothing they can do to prevent that from happening. However, if you have a reliable dash cam, you will possibly be able to prove it was the fault of the other driver in front of you in that situation. This way, you could end up not being liable at all or being only partially liable.

In Puerto Rico, this will be more useful than it is almost anywhere else. As we have alluded to in other posts, driving in Puerto Rico is full of uncertainty. Many drivers here do not obey the most basic traffic laws. This leads to a higher amount of accidents than normal. So, having a dash cam when you are driving here is more of a necessity than it is a luxury.
 

Dash cam 101

Dash cams are small cameras that you mount on the dashboard of your car that are intended to run perpetually as you drive. They are intended to capture and record the perspective of the driver as they navigate traffic.
There are several different types of dash cams that you can choose for your car. They include single lens and dual lens cams. A single lens dash cam will be for recording the road in front of you only. Dual lens will be for recording the road in front of you as well as either the inside of your car or the road behind you. We recommend a dual lens cam that records both the road in front of you as well as the road behind you.

In order to install a dash cam, the process is simple. Keep in mind, depending on the dash cam that you end up getting the overall process could end up differing slightly. First, you will need to put the memory card in, then you will need to mount it on your dashboard which you usually do by attaching it to your dashboard or windshield via suction cup and, finally, you will need to plug it into your car via power adapter.
 

Conclusion

Dash cams are not something that you should forego if you plan on driving with any sort of frequency in Puerto Rico. They can be the difference between you being legally and financially responsible for an accident and not being held accountable at all. This is especially important in Puerto Rico where drivers can be extremely aggressive and careless when driving.

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What to know when you are getting your auto insurance policy
Why car insurance is critically important in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

What to know when you are getting your auto insurance policy

You must have car insurance when you are driving in Puerto Rico. If you are caught driving in Puerto Rico without car insurance, you will get a ticket for five hundred dollars as soon as you are caught. So, car insurance will be another cost of owning a car in Puerto Rico that you have to endure, but it does not have to break the bank.

Believe it or not, each and every auto insurance policy will be tailored to each individual that gets one, based on their particular needs. With this in mind, it is actually possible to make several choices when you are working out a policy with your insurance company that can actually help you save a considerable amount of money.

First, if you are insuring multiple drivers and/or cars, you should bundle them under the same policy. Each car/driver will have a lower rate than if you got an individual policy for each. You can always also take a defensive driving course (every driver on your policy will need to take the course) and your policy rate will be lower as a result.

Next, you can make an effort to drive fewer miles in your car in the months or year leading up to getting a new policy. If you are able to prove that you drive fewer miles when you are signing up for a new auto insurance policy, you will possibly be able to save some money as a result. Also, work on your credit rating in the time before you shop for a policy because having a better credit score will help you save on your policy too.

Finally, you should consider getting an anti-theft system installed in your car. Yes, that will cost you a bit, but it will be well worth it with all the money you save on your car insurance. You can actually save up to twenty five percent on your premiums by doing this.
 

Why car insurance is critically important in Puerto Rico

As we mentioned above, it is illegal to drive around without having your car insured in Puerto Rico just like it is anywhere else. However, there is a much more practical application for having auto insurance in Puerto Rico than just avoiding an expensive ticket. Car insurance protects you in case you get into a bad accident and cannot afford thousands of dollars in repairs for your vehicle and/or someone else’s.

In Puerto Rico, you are at a high risk of an accident in comparison to most other places in the world. Drivers in Puerto Rico tend to ignore or loosely interpret even the most basic traffic laws. This does occur anywhere you drive in the world but not on a widespread basis as it does in Puerto Rico. Here, you will witness other drivers change lanes very suddenly without signaling, stop suddenly and park in the middle of the street, go through red lights without even slowing down and more. Thus, car insurance is critically important here.
 

Final word

There is no way you can avoid getting car insurance in Puerto Rico without putting yourself at a great risk of a big ticket, or worse, being responsible for thousands of dollars of damage from a car accident. Although, it does not mean you need to pay a maximum amount of money on auto insurance. In fact, there are multiple ways of lowering the price of your premium. You just need to put in the time and effort to do so.

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How a pet can distract you while driving
Why you need to focus on Puerto Rico’s roads
Conclusion
 

How a pet can distract you while driving

When you have to drive somewhere with your pet, you risk a lot of distraction. Pets such as dogs or cats do not know any better and might be tempted to jump on you while you are in the middle of driving. This can be disastrous for you and has been in the past for many motorists. That is why you should take every precaution possible when you are driving with your pets, especially in Puerto Rico.

First and foremost, your pets should always ride in the backseat of the car. This way there is much less of a chance that they are able to make contact with you as you drive. If you have a pet small enough to fit in a pet carrier, you should put them in one. This will include cats and small dogs. If not, you should consider buying a barrier that will prevent larger dogs from slipping up front from the backseat.
 

Why you need to focus on Puerto Rico’s roads

Driving with a pet in your car without taking the correct safety precautions can be dangerous no matter where you are. But, driving in Puerto Rico with the risk of a major distraction has much more potential for danger than normal. This is because the casual attitude many drivers have in regards to basic traffic laws in Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, you will frequently see other drivers going through red lights and stop signs. You will also see people doing things like turning right from the left lane and likely without even signaling. On top of that, there are frequently animals crossing the road. All of this makes driving more tricky and potentially dangerous in Puerto Rico.
 

Conclusion

Driving around with a pet in the car can be fun but it also can be dangerous because a pet can suddenly jump on you while you are driving and cause an accident. That is precisely why you should take the proper safety precautions such as keeping your pet in a pet carrier and/or keeping them in the backseat of the vehicle. This is particularly important in Puerto Rico where other drivers can be quite careless and dangerous with the way that they drive.

When you need your car shipped to or from Puerto Rico, let Puerto Rico Car Transport take the stress and worry out of the process for you. We can get any type of vehicle to Puerto Rico or the United States with minimal involvement from yourself. Call today for a free quote at (904) 322-7644.

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The basics about Ponce, Puerto Rico
Getting your car to Ponce
Conclusion
 

The basics about Ponce, Puerto Rico

Ponce is an area of Puerto Rico that you will want to visit when you have the chance to. It is the most populated city on the island other than San Juan and features some incredible architecture. It also features several gorgeous beaches such as Playa Carrucho, Playa Larga and El Tuque. There is also a famous boardwalk for you to stroll if you want some sun and relaxation without the sand.

Ponce also has several islands which you can visit via boat or ferry. There is no lack of things to do when you visit Ponce. You can take tours of museums, historical tours, walking tours and more. If you are a coffee lover, you will fall in love with Ponce. On top of having some of the best locally grown coffee in the northern hemisphere, it also has a coffee museum called Hacienda Buena Vista where you can see exactly how coffee is made.
 

Getting your car to Ponce

Getting your car to Ponce is a bit more complex than if you were trying to get it somewhere like San Juan. That is because all car shipments to Puerto Rico must be dropped off at the port in San Juan. So, that does mean that you will need to get your car in San Juan and then drive to Ponce instead of travelling to Ponce directly.

The ride from San Juan to Ponce is really not too bad at all. The drive will take about the same amount of time as it takes to drive from New York to Pennsylvania depending on when you are driving. In general, the drive will take a little over two hours depending on the route you take and the amount of traffic that is on the road when you decide to drive.

You will need to bring identification when you go to the port to pick your car up. You should also remember to get gas when you leave the port with your car because, at most, it has a quarter tank left and you will likely need close to a full take to make the drive down to Ponce.
 

Conclusion

Ponce has never been nearly as popular as San Juan and when you really take a close look at both cities, this should definitely not be the case. The two cities have similar numbers in terms of population, and both have beautiful cityscapes, beaches and numerous other attractions for tourists and residents alike. This also means that Ponce is a great area to have your own car so that you can get around easily.

If you need your car shipped to Puerto Rico, you can always give us a call with any questions or to book your shipment. We can be reached any time at (904) 322-7644.