5 Reasons Why You Should Keep Your Family Car When Moving to the United States

When you start thinking about relocating to the United States, you need to consider what you’re going to keep and what you’re going to leave behind. In most cases, it’s usually a better option to leave your car behind, but if you want to keep it, there are compelling reasons to take your car with you.

Cars Are Not Cheap

Purchasing a new car is usually expensive, especially when conducting a global relocation. Relocating to the United States is no small feat, and it certainly isn’t something that can be done cheaply. Having to purchase a car after moving can be challenging, too, considering you might not know what’s available near your destination.

If your pocketbook is already stretched pretty thin, you may want to consider shipping your car. If it has bells and whistles that you love, you might not find those same perks on vehicles in the USA. Before making the decision, though, you’ll want to check stateside to see how repairs might be handled. Some cars are common around the world, and others are only found where you live. A standard car will be easier to repair as opposed to UK-only vehicles, as parts for one of those would likely be expensive.

One Less Stressful Detail

Shipping a car can be a way to keep yourself stress-free because you’ll know you have a car to work with when you get to your destination. You’ll need to plan to make it easier on yourself in the end, but it is worth it to know you have a working car when you arrive in the United States.

You’ll have to do some research on car shipping companies to figure out what it will cost for you to ship a car internationally. You can expect to spend £1,300 to ship to the States, but that price tag can vary depending on where you intend to meet your car. The further inland you go, the more expensive it will be, but it might still be worth not dealing with having to sell your car and purchase a new one upon arrival.

It Meets US Standards

Emissions standards are different in the USA than in the UK, and the truth is that most cars in the UK won’t pass the test. Cars can be made to meet standards, but it’s not always an easy thing to do and can be more expensive than selling it before relocating.

Alternatively, if you have a car that will pass United States emissions tests, it is worth holding on to because it’s easier for you to have a car available when you arrive in the States. It also goes back to the lower cost of bringing it stateside instead of selling it in the UK and purchasing a new car upon arrival.

It Is a Piece of Home

When you make a big move, it’s nice to have comfort that reminds you of home. Being in a new place can be intimidating if you don’t know anyone in or much about your new location. When you bring your car with you, you can feel good knowing you are familiar with your car.

Having something that you have a connection with can be psychologically impactful in a positive way when you are in some new place. Draw comfort from being able to sit in your car at the end of the day, listening to music in your new driveway. Your car can offer you a place to regroup on the most challenging days after making such a drastic change.

Don’t Need to Deal With a Rental

The most wonderful thing about bringing your car with you to the States is avoiding a temporary rental. You can get a rental with a UK license, but you’ll likely need to pay more with a foreign license. Insurance can also become a bit pricier because insurance is handled differently in the USA.

If you must deal with a rental, always use a registered agent from the UK. They know how to deal with insurance and can tell you precisely what you’ll need. Avoid going through a USA company if possible because it will be challenging to work through for rental purposes. Once you’ve made a move and have a regular daily driver, you can seek information from the local insurance companies.

A Few Last Words on Bringing Your Car With You to the USA

More often than not, it’s standard to leave your cars behind when you move from the UK to the US. At the same time, it can be a good idea to bring your car with you if your budget is stretched thin and you can’t afford to buy a new car upon arrival. Having your car with you will also cause less stress for you as long as it meets US emissions standards. Your car is like a piece of home, too, making it a familiar place in an unfamiliar country. Perhaps the best thing of all is not having to deal with a rental company or rental insurance upon your arrival.