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.