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.
Ultimate Checklist for Shipping Your Car from Canada to the US and Back
Relocating from Canada to the US or vice versa? If you are contemplating shipping your vehicle to your destination, vehicle transport companies can make the process relatively easy for you. There are, however, steps you need to take to ensure the experience is a good one and doing your research is first on your list. Check out this handy dandy checklist of what you need to consider as you plan to ship your car from Canada or the US.
Steps to Shipping Your Car from Canada to the US and Back
The process of shipping your vehicle can be subdivided into these 5 key areas:
- Research
- Selecting a shipping company
- Preparing your vehicle for transit
- Required documentation
- Receiving your vehicle
Research
First and foremost, you need to determine whether shipping your vehicle across the border makes sense. Your options are typically to either drive the vehicle yourself, have someone you know drive it for you, sell your car and buy a vehicle at your new location, or to get a professional vehicle transport company. If you’re relocating, want to continue driving your current ride, and do not relish the thought of a long road trip and adding mileage and wear and tear to your vehicle, a car moving company might be the way to go. While likely more expensive than driving it yourself even when factoring in food, gas, and hotel costs along the way, shipping your car provides added convenience and safety. There are clear benefits in shipping your car from Canada to the US especially if your time is valuable.
Selecting a Shipping Company
Determining which company to go with does not mean picking the first one that comes up on your browser, nor does it mean being sold a bill of goods by a fast-talking salesperson. You need consider:
- The type of transport vehicle being used
Most companies use open air multi-level vehicle transport carriers which are preferred and have less impact on your wallet. If you have an exotic or luxury car that needs special attention, an enclosed carrier may be your mode of choice. However, that will also run you at a higher price.
- Get a quote
It’s easy to get a personalized quote by going onto competitor websites and putting in relevant information. Most companies have calculators that provide you with an approximate cost and timeframe. By going through this exercise, you can anticipate costs. That does not mean, you should immediately go with the lowest one, but it should ballpark the amount. Outliers that are significantly pricier or cheaper should be viewed critically as either they may not be comparing apples to apples or they might be using low costs to lure you only to extract more dollars through the process. Get a total price upfront. Also, you will want to make certain that the company has liability insurance to cover any unforeseen damages that may occur during transport. Most will have this included although some may have additional levels of insurance to consider. Your quote should also reveal any costs associated with cross border documentation.
- Reviewing the competition
Look at reviews. If you see that a company has many complaints, for instance, vehicles transported were damaged or costs were increased or timeframes were very inaccurate, you may want to veer in a different direction. Reputation is everything especially as there are many carriers competing for your business.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport
Now that you’ve selected the car moving company to transport your vehicle from Canada to the US, you will want to ensure that your vehicle is ready for transport. Readiness falls into two buckets:
- Roadworthiness and mechanical integrity
Your vehicle needs to be prepared for the journey. There needs to be enough gas to allow your car to be driven at its destination but not too much to weigh down your vehicle. A quarter tank is usually prescribed. Servicing your car in advance will also mitigate issues at your new location.
- Interior and exterior preparedness
Before your vehicle is picked up for transport, you should clean both the interior and exterior and photograph it as a record of its condition prior to handing off the keys. You will also want to record the mileage. The driver will do an inspection to protect the company from any post-journey claims. Personal belongings need to be removed as most companies will not insure personal items and they may even be a target for theft on-route. Toll transponders should also be removed and deactivated. You will also want to have a spare set of keys at the destination, so you are not stranded if the driver has accidentally lost or misplaced them.
Required Documentation
As your vehicle is crossing the border from the US to Canada or vice versa, you will need to ensure that all the paperwork and customs forms are accurately filled out. Reputable vehicle transport companies who are accustomed to continent-wide shipping for relocations and snowbirds, will have this covered for you with brokers on both sides of the border and associated forms to be completed where required.
Receiving Your Vehicle
Once your vehicle arrives and is delivered at your door (or you have opted to retrieve it at a specified delivery terminal), you should check its condition against your pre-journey inspection and itemize any concerns right then and there. In most cases, this will be a mere formality as incidences are uncommon. If all is intact and everything checks out, you’ve successfully gone through the process. Rating your experience on-line can help others like you to assess their options so we suggest you write a review. Now you can settle into your new residence.
SAC Will Keep You in Lockstep with Your Vehicle
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) vehicle relocation services can help you avoid the downside of driving your car. With easy-to-follow recommendations in preparing your vehicle and a reputation for delivery excellence, SAC provides you with everything you need from start to finish. Contact SAC today for shipping your car from Canada to the US or the US to Canada and to find out more about their services. To begin your journey, start by getting your personalized quote.
Moving Across Canada: Should You Sell or Transport Your Car?
If you are moving across Canada and are deciding whether to sell or transport your car, you’ve got a little bit of math homework to do. Firstly, you’re most likely asking yourself this question because you’ve determined that driving your vehicle yourself does not add up. Perhaps the distance you are moving does not warrant putting that sort of mileage and wear and tear on the car or possibly the inconvenience of the long road trip is enough of a reason to review other options.
Sell Your Car Or Transport Your Car?
So, you’re either going to sell your car and get another one when you move or you’re going to use a car transport company. Let’s take a look at some of the variables you should be factoring into your decision:
- Value and Condition of Your Vehicle
- Affordability – Cost Analysis
- Convenience
- Regional Environmental Regulations
Value and Condition of Your Vehicle
Before assessing costs, you first need to ask yourself, “What is this car worth to me?” The question is not always an established monetary value. You may have babied your car and kept it in near mint condition, or you may even have developed a relationship with your car that encapsulates journeys of experience that you are not prepared to clinically dismiss for a cold hard number. Perhaps your vehicle is a classic collectible or has sentimental value having been passed down from a loved one. The condition of your car can also play a role. If your vehicle is near the end of its life, dumping it and starting afresh may be the logical choice rather than paying shipping. Doing a mental balance sheet of tangibles and intangibles is your first order.
Affordability
Now for some math. The impact to your wallet is likely the number one consideration and that means assessing Canada car transport costs versus the cost of buying a new vehicle. In almost every instance, shipping your car will be more affordable than buying a new car. There are costs and benefits associated with both of course.
Selling your car means money in your pocket from the sale and cost savings from not having to incur car transport costs. Conversely, those costs are transferred to your destination where you will need to buy another vehicle. New vehicle costs will far surpass saved transport fees unless you are looking to acquire a used car and/or the car you have has low value and is near the end of its life. Another cost consideration is insurance and registration fees for your new vehicle that are unavoidable.
Transporting your car means short term costs that you will need to outlay to have it shipped across Canada. These costs should be assessed as they depend on the distance you need it shipped and the type of carrier, whether you want it shipped door-to-door or terminal to terminal which has some cost savings. If shipping your vehicle can piggyback on shipping other household goods, you may realize additional savings. Either way, you will want to get a few quotes on well reviewed and reputable vehicle relocation companies. You will also incur costs to register and insure your car in your new abode. On the positive side, you are saving big by not having to buy a new car when you get to your destination.
Convenience
Car transport in Canada may appear cumbersome; however, vehicle transport companies are quite easy to deal with. While there is a process in ensuring your car is ready including cleaning it inside and out and making certain it is running smoothly, these shipping companies take care of the rest.
Selling your car and/or buying a new car have their own processes and may eat up your time depending on the particulars of your market and what you need in terms of sale or purchase price. The search, purchase, delivery, and registration process for a new vehicle may also leave you without a ride for a period of time, adding inconvenience.
Regional Environmental Regulations
Another cost consideration that you will want to investigate is whether the Province you are moving to has a progressive energy policy that stipulates whether vehicles registered there need to meet drive clean emissions regulatory requirements. Shipping an old car only to find it will be subject to additional costs for registration or even mandatory retrofitting could sway your decision.
Ship or Sell?
Now that you’ve looked at the pros and cons of both options, you’re ready for the big move. If you sell your car, you can look forward to something new to drive as you embark upon your new adventure. If you decide that shipping is your way forward, it’s time to get a personalized quote and review your options of car transport companies. Take care to go with one that has the capacity to deliver and the reputation to make the experience seamless so you can pickup where you left off at your new residence. Whichever route you have chosen, if you have done your homework, you can’t go wrong.
SAC Car Transport in Canada
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) can help you transport your car across Canada with an easy quoting and guidance process to ensure the safe and seamless delivery of your vehicle to its destination. Contact SAC today to find out more about their services and to receive your personalized quote.
Top 4 Benefits of Using a Vehicle Relocation Service
Are you taking a snowbird trip down south, relocating to another city, or driving a vehicle to provide your son or daughter with transportation at their new college residence? When distance is a measure of time as it is when driving, you might well consider shipping your car instead of driving it yourself. Let us explore the top 4 benefits of using a vehicle relocation service.
1. Is Time on Your Side?
Time is a scarcity and saving it in practical terms means foregoing a long road trip. If relocating, use a faster method of transportation like a plane or a train and get that time back. The days or even weeks that driving will eat up may be precious time that you can use to complete a project, spend more time with loved ones, or merely relax. By shipping your car, you need to only prep it for pickup by the vehicle relocation services company and then collect it at your destination.
2. A Simple and Convenient Truth When Moving
Shipping your car truly is convenient especially if you are moving. Moving is possibly one of the most stressful undertakings that requires lots of unpacking and other preparations that can weigh heavily on your person. By choosing to ship your vehicle, you will no longer be burdened with the added worry of planning your drive, so you truly focus on your move and settling into your new home.
3. Forego Car Trouble and Reduce Wear and Tear
Driving long distances means wear and tear on your vehicle. Vehicle reliability can always come into question with heavy daily mileage use. In your hometown environment, should problems arise, you might have a support network or just call your local garage or dealer. Inconvenient yes, but manageable. On a trip, it could happen anywhere and that might put a huge dent in your plans and your pocketbook. Using a car shipping company saves that wear and tear and mitigates unforeseen problems along the way. Which brings us to the final reason.
4. The Cost of Doing Business
You might think using vehicle relocation services will add unnecessary costs to your relocation but ironically it may save you money. The hotels, food stops, mileage and gas when driving can all add up to very close to what you might pay to ship your vehicle. The wear and tear may mean costs that possibly hit you weeks or months after the trip is made. The time savings might even allow you to generate money or work extra days. Now if you factor in the convenience and mitigate the wear and tear on not just your car but on you having to endure a long trip, vehicle relocation services look like a pretty good option.
SAC Can Save You the Drive
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) vehicle relocation services can help you avoid the downside of driving your car. With easy-to-follow recommendations in preparing your vehicle and a reputation for delivery excellence, SAC provides you with everything you need from start to finish. Contact SAC today to find out more about their services and to receive your personalized quote.
Myths About Auto Shipping
Auto shipping may sometimes be perceived similar to movers, where one is seen to be no different than the next, where quality and care are compromised for price and hidden costs. Auto shipping may also be viewed as complex and company reviews unreliable.
Myths abound and it may surprise many that auto shipping is a far more positive experience. So, let us examine 5 common myths and give you the real deal when it comes to auto shipping.
Myth#1: Same Auto Ship, Different Day
Myth: One auto shipping company is no different than the next.
The Real Deal: While many industries have only minor nuances especially when it comes to service, auto shippers can vary across the board according to geographical scope, quality and type of trucks, care in managing and tracking your vehicle, and reliability with drop off and delivery.
Recommendation: Ensure you look at options when reviewing auto shipping companies. Selecting a reputable company that operates across the country or the continent, and has safety protocols for both driver and car is a good start.
Myth#2: Buyer Beware
Myth: Bait and switch pricing happen all the time. These companies cannot be trusted!
The Real Deal: Auto shippers move vehicles and sometimes get the same sullied reputation that follows home contents movers. Movers have been known to quote you one price as a lure and then suddenly, hidden costs put your totals much higher than anticipated. It can be a devastating blow to someone on a budget. However, most auto shippers have secure and proven processes to ensure that your price is set according to variables determined beforehand, such as distance, season, timing, and fuel prices. Discrepancies from what you agreed to and what you pay should be minor.
Recommendation: Fill out a personalized quote online and get everything in writing. Auto shipping companies are dealing with high value assets and have established liability insurance; they forge their reputations based on loyal returning customers. Duping you with pricing, especially unusually low pricing, is short sighted if not suspicious and signals an untrustworthy operation.
Myth#3: Auto Shippers Do a Bang-Up Job
Myth: My car is going to be delivered with new scratches, dents or worse.
The Real Deal: Damage to your vehicle during the auto shipping process is rare and unlikely. In such unforeseen cases, all reputable shippers will have liability insurance to mitigate out of pocket expenses.
Recommendation: Clean your car and take pictures both inside and outside to capture the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping and to identify any changes or damage upon receipt. You should also read reviews online to see what others have experienced.
Myth#4: Auto Shipping is Money Down the Drain. Drive it Yourself
Myth: Shipping my car makes no sense when I can drive it myself.
The Real Deal: The truth of the matter is that it depends. Convenience aside, driving your car especially when the journey spans days should factor in costs including gas and mileage, wear and tear, hotel stays, food expenditures en-route and possibly even lost wages due to the time you need to allocate.
Recommendation: Do a cost analysis between both options where driving is even feasible. During the pandemic, driving across the border has been restricted as an example. Also consider, convenience and whether you can afford the time that it takes to drive and whether you have coverage should your car have mechanical issues while driving en-route to your destination.
Myth#5: Getting My Car Ready for Auto Shipping is Complicated
Myth: Paperwork and preparation make shipping my car a chore. I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
The Real Deal: You do in fact need to get your car ready for its journey, but good auto shipping companies make it very easy with touchless pickup and drop-offs.
Recommendation: When shipping your vehicle, it is recommended that you ensure your car is in good working order, that you clean your car both inside and out, remove personal belongings, and that you have proper identification upon delivery. The rest is taken care of by the auto shipping company.
SAC Debunks the Myths
Snowbirds Auto Connection (SAC) can help you ship your vehicle with an easy quoting, guidance and tracking process to ensure the safe and seamless delivery of your vehicle to its destination. With easy-to-follow recommendations in preparing your vehicle and a reputation for delivery excellence, SAC provides you with everything you need from start to finish. Contact SAC today to find out more about their services and to receive your personalized quote.