There are many reasons someone might need to ship a vehicle across the country, from escaping the winter to the South, to work relocation, to cross country moving, and everything in between. Whatever your reason may be, entrusting a company to transport your vehicle for you is a great way to save time, money, and effort.
What to Consider Before Filling in a Quote
Turn Around Times
Different companies have different turnaround times depending on how busy that vehicle transport route is. For example, Toronto to Florida in the winter is a common route for snowbirds, and thus the company may offer more days/spots for that route.
It is recommended that you reach out and book as soon as you know you’ll need to ship, as time is money: the shorter notice you give when it comes to car shipping across Canada, the more it can cost.
Variability in Price
In the vehicle transportation world, the only way to assess cost is to request a quote. This is because market prices change often and quickly, however a few rules remain constant:
- Larger vehicles cost more to ship than smaller ones
- Longer trips will cost more than shorter ones
- Shorter timelines will cost more than flexible ones
Do note that the cheapest quote is not necessarily the best or safest option. Higher pricing can often reflect the car shipping company’s experience and level of service.
When you receive your quote for car shipping across Canada, ask what is included. Also check to see if there are any hidden fees.
Storage
In the event that you need to store your vehicle before or after transportation, look for a car shipping company that offers this service. Having a one stop shop that offers both storage and transportation makes your life easier.
There are typically outdoor or indoor car storage. Outdoor car storage offers the least protection from weather elements, and costs the least. Indoor car storage will provide the most protection, but will be more pricier.
What to Know Before Shipping Your Car Across Canada
Once you’ve determined which car shipping company to go with, here are some things to keep in mind before shipping your car across Canada.
Insurance
Robust insurance is vital when entrusting your vehicle to a transport company. Our recommendation is that you read all provided documentation, and that you ask questions about whether terminals and storage facilities are also insured.
We also recommend you perform inspection of your vehicle at time of pickup and drop off.
Preparing Your Car
Make sure to properly winterize your vehicle and leave as close to a quarter of a tank of gas for use during loading and unloading of the vehicle. Do not overfill your gas tank.
Also wash your car prior to pick up so a full, detailed inspection of the vehicle can be performed before the vehicle is handed off.
Typically, most car shipping companies do not allow personal items to be left in the vehicle. It won’t also be covered by insurance. Check with your car shipping company to confirm.
SAC Professionals Will Help You Ship Your Car Across Canada
For over 25 years, Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) has been helping customers ship their cars 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. Contact SAC today to receive your personalized quote on car shipping across Canada.