Blog
If you are looking for reliable information about vehicle transportation, you are in the right place! Whether you are a snowbird, or you are relocating across the country or border, the SAC blog is your inside source to make your travel hassle-free. Here you’ll find:
- Everything you want to know before you move or travel
- The latest in vehicle transportation technology & practices
- Important updates about our new and existing services
- Tips and tricks to make your cross-border move or travel as smooth as possible
We encourage you to explore our blog, share useful information with friends, and connect with us.
Car Shipping Across Canada: What You Need to Know
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.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship Your Car From US to Canada?
If you’ve decided that you’d like to ship a car from the US to Canada, there are several logistical items to consider, not to mention cost. Chief among the factors impacting cost are vehicle size, season, distance, and time to delivery.
Costs Involved in Shipping Your Car from US to Canada
When considering companies to transport your vehicle cross border, your quote will typically be impacted by the following factors:
- Size: A heavy SUV may cost as much as twice of a compact car, as it takes much more space on the transportation carrier and uses up more fuel.
- Location: Door to door delivery to a remote location will cost more than dropping it off and picking it up at a terminal.
- Distance: The industry standard in the United States for distances less than 200 miles is approximately $2.00 per mile; for distances greater than 200 miles, the price decreases to $0.58 per mile. These numbers can increase or decrease depending on size, location, timeline, and season.
- Season: Winter is much less expensive to ship your car from US to Canada than summer due to decreased demand.
- Timeline: On average, a cross-country journey can take up to 2 weeks. If a shorter timeline is desired, rush service may be available depending on the transportation company.
- Type of carrier: Car carriers are either open or enclosed. Enclosed carriers can cost approximately 40% more than open carriers.
- There is tremendous variability among quotes based on how up-front companies are with their pricing and hidden fees. If you receive a quote to ship your car from the US to Canada that is significantly lower than others, consider scrutinizing their add-ons a little closer.
Ship Your Car from US to Canada with SAC
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) can ship your car from US to Canada on our licensed, insured open car carrier. We will help you navigate cross-border documentation so that you don’t have to worry about the details. We have partnerships with reputable brokerage firms on both sides of the border. This expedites the moving process and provides our clients with a quick, reliable and stress-free experience. Contact SAC today to find out more about our services and to receive your personalized quote.
Tips For Finding the Best Car Shipping Company in Canada
Like most business markets, the vehicle transportation industry has hundreds of businesses across Canada and the United States. And like most markets, the vehicle transportation industry has dozens of businesses claiming they are the best in the industry. How then can you discern the good from the great? We share some tips below for finding the best car shipping company in Canada.
1. Experience
This is an easily deduced first step at assessing the quality of services provided. The vehicle transportation industry is one built on word of mouth; poor quality does not last long. The oldest companies out there are often the best: they know all the major players, have established shipping routes, and have existed as long as they have because they provide the best service.
2. Cost Benefit Analysis
In the vehicle transportation world, the only way to assess cost is to request a quote. This is because market prices are forever changing based on supply and demand. 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
Less expensive does not always mean the best bang for your buck as some companies will low ball you into a contract only to increase the cost with hidden fees. It is best to thoroughly read a contract, and evaluate what benefits each company has to offer.
3. Customer Service
A company either has good customer service, or it doesn’t. A good approximation for its transportation services is the professionalism of their front desk staff. These are the individuals that communicate with you on an ongoing basis to answer your questions and concerns, and work with you to ensure a successful delivery of your vehicle to its destination.
4. Check Reviews
Check online reviewing forums (such as Google) and read client testimonials. When reading reviews, consider the experience of those with similar shipping needs as your own (car size, distance, border crossing) to get the most relevant data that will apply to your needs.
Choosing the Best Car Shipping Company in Canada
Trusting a company with your vehicle can be nerve-wracking, but with good research and the abovementioned tips, we are confident you will make the best choice in selecting the best car shipping company for your needs.
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) has provided reliable, honest, and on-time delivery vehicle transportation across Canada and the US for over 25 years. SAC provides a thorough inspection of each vehicle at the time of pick-up as well as upon delivery. All vehicles are insured during transport, so when you ship your car with SAC, you know it’s safe and secure. For more information about the best car shipping company in Canada, contact us today.
Expectation Versus Reality in the Auto Shipping World
Expectation 1: Every Auto Shipping Company is the Same
In the same way we expect grocery stores to provide the same basic services, there is an expectation that every auto shipping company is the same.
Reality: From scope of services offered, reputation, reliability, and relationships in the transportation and customs worlds, every auto shipping company is different.
Snowbirds Auto Connection Ltd. (SAC) has established transportation lines across some of the most common transport routes in North America, ensuring timely and seamless movement of vehicles in a way other companies simply cannot. We have over 25 years of experience, and with that comes established relationships and comfort with the major players involved in cross border vehicle transport. Finally, our reputation is unmatched in the industry! But don’t take our word for it; take the word of our many happy and repeat customers here.
Expectation 2: Projected Auto Shipping Timelines are Guarantees
Reality: The actual time of your delivery may vary due to the route taken, weather, road conditions, occasional truck break down and border crossing custom delays. Thus no auto shipping company can offer you a guaranteed date, day or time for the above reasons.
However, given our established transport routes to the highest volume destinations, we will get your vehicle where it needs to go faster and on a more reliable timeline than our competition.
Expectation 3: The Quoted Price is the Final Price
Reality: In the shipping industry, another word for quote is estimate. This is because shipping is primarily a bidding-based industry. And this is why we don’t have a listed price, but rather opt to offer you a quote: to make sure we are getting you the most up to date and honest estimate possible. We believe in honest transparency with no hidden costs.
Expectation 4: Auto Shipping is Safe
Reality: Everyone has their reasons for having their vehicle transported for them, but one of the most common reasons we hear is safety. We take the safety and security of your vehicle very seriously. We do thorough inspections of vehicles at the time of pickup and delivery. If storage is required, we use secured storage facilities. Your vehicle is insured during transportation, including at designated terminals. After 25 years, we have seen everything and thus have plans to protect your vehicle from anything.
Expectation 5: Once Hired, There is Nothing Else I Need to Do
Reality: This is also mostly true! Our aim is to make this process as seamless as possible. All you need to do is gas up, remove additional items (including removable electronics) to avoid ancillary damages, and we will take care of the rest!
Contact SAC For Your Auto Shipping Needs
SAC provides clients with reliable, worry-free, secured auto shipping on open, car-carrying transport trucks. We can help you transport your vehicle within North America. For a personalized auto shipping quote, please contact us here to get started.