Beginner’s Guide for First Time Car Shipping in Canada

Shipping your car is a consideration when you have decided to relocate or take an extended vacation at your second home. It also may be a way to send a car to a friend or loved one who is in need of a vehicle. During the pandemic, vehicle transport companies remain an essential part of the supply chain and, unlike leisure drivers, are allowed to cross the border.

Start By Selecting a Canadian Car Shipping Company

Shipping your car in Canada, rather than driving it to your destination or renting one may be advantageous for a variety of reasons including financial efficacy, convenience, or with border closures, the lack of other viable options. So, if you’re ready to ship your car, you will want to take a good look at your options and factor the following criteria into your decision:

1. Credibility and Capability – You will want to ensure that the car shipping company in Canada has a history of successfully shipping cars across the country. Ensuring they are not fly by night shippers who have acquired a truck and are making a go of it is important. A car shipping company should have a fleet of trailers, including multi-level open trailers, and have capabilities to ship your car from coast to coast. Afterall, a vehicle is an asset and getting it safely and securely to its destination requires care.
2. Safety and Touchless Pickup and Drop off – During the pandemic, ensuring your car can be picked up and dropped off with limited contact is a good safety measure. Shipping companies that have documented protocols in terms of PPE and physical distancing demonstrate professionalism and mitigate exposure to contagion. Dropoff and pickup through door-to-door is ideal but there are cost savings if you prefer dropping it off and picking it up at a terminal. Sign-off on delivery can be done straight from your phone too.
3. Reliability and Care – You want your car to get from Point A to Point B in the time established. So, a car shipping company that sets expectations and delivers on time makes for a good choice. No company can guarantee a delivery time due to unforeseen road and weather hazards, but they can be approximate and update you should an incident create delays.  Furthermore, you want to be certain that your car is going to be well cared for along the way so ensuring that your vehicle is covered for any unforeseen damages is important. Of course, that also requires that you respect guidelines around removing personal belongings which any good car shipping company will advise you of.
4. Pricing – Competitively pricing a car shipping company is important. Pricing is a variable based on the size of your vehicle, the destination you are shipping it to, and whether or not you are crossing the border. For example, shipping an SUV from Toronto to Florida will certainly cost more than sending a mid-size or compact car between Toronto and Montreal within Canada. Car shipping from Canada to the Unites States or vice versa requires documentation to be completed on both sides of the border, another benefit that will be taken care of by a car shipping company.

Next Steps After Choosing a Canadian Car Shipping Company

Once you’ve made your decision and selected a car shipping company, simply complete a request form on the company website or give them a call to receive a personalized quote. Once completed and details are confirmed, the process begins.

If you are shipping your vehicle across the border, there will be cross-border documentation you are required to fill out. Some companies include this service within their quote, which expedites the moving process and provides you with a stress-free experience.

The company will arrange pickup and drop-off based on your preferences and your vehicle will be loaded typically onto a multilevel trailer that holds 5-10 cars. Remember to remove personal items from inside your vehicle, as they are not covered by insurance. Also leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas for use during the loading and unloading of your vehicle.

You will receive confirmation when your vehicle has arrived at the destination. Simply sign off and you will receive the keys to your vehicle.

Why SAC

For over 25 years, Snowbirds Auto Connection Ltd. (SAC) has provided reliable, honest, and on-time delivery car shipping across Canada and the US. SAC provides thorough inspection of each vehicle at the time of pick-up as well as upon delivery. All vehicles are insured during transport including at designated terminals, so when you ship your car with SAC, you know it’s safe and secure. As a commercial carrier, the border closure does not affect them, and they are considered as an essential service. Contact SAC today to find out more about their car shipping services and to receive your personalized quote.