4 Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask About Snowbird Car Transportation
Sunday, Nov 3, 2024 by Professional Car CarriersTable of Contents
Summary
This blog provides key insights into snowbird car transportation for Canadians heading south for the winter. Learn about the service, cost factors, timing for booking, and insurance considerations to ensure a smooth and cost-effective journey.
Introduction
For Canadians, heading south for the winter has become a tradition. A tradition that earns them the fitting name of snowbirds. As the name suggests, snowbirds love to migrate away from the cold, winter weather and to warm, sunny destinations like Florida and Arizona. Most of these folks not only have a home in their favourite community, but also love to bring their cars with them. Having their vehicles allows them to travel around their destination with the ease and comfort of what they know well. Unsurprisingly, most prefer to have their vehicle transported via snowbird car transportation instead of driving, as driving down from Canada it is both costly and time-consuming. If you are planning to join their ranks this year but have little knowledge about this kind of vehicle transportation, then this blog is for you. Here you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions when it comes to car transportation for snowbirds.
- What is Snowbird Car Transportation?
Let’s start with the most basic one, what is snowbird car transportation? This is a transportation service designed specifically for Canadians who prefer to spend their winters in the south, in the United States, especially in states like Florida, Arizona or California. The hired car transportation company is responsible for transporting their vehicle across the border from their home to their destination.
2. How Much Does It Cost?
The next important thing to know is, of course, the cost of transportation, which will depend on several factors, like:
- Distance: The further you go, the costlier will be the transportation charges
- Type of transportation: There are various types of transportation open transportation, closed transportation, terminal-to-terminal transportation and door-to-door transportation. Each of them cost differently.
- Vehicle type: Larger vehicles will naturally cost more than smaller vehicles as they take up less space so more of them can go in a trailer.
- Time of the year: Fall and Spring are the peak seasons; so if you book near to this period, it will cost you more.
To get the best price, you should always seek quotes from more than one transportation company. Tell them about your destination, vehicle type and other needs and see what price they quote. Be cautious about those quotes that are vastly lower than the average, because many times they may have hidden fees and other charges that ultimately make it costlier!
- How Far in Advance Should I Book?
As said before, booking during peak season when snowbirds move to and return from their winter vacation will cost you more. This is why you should book as early as possible once you’ve set your travel dates. Book the snowbird car transportation in such a way that the vehicle reaches a day or on the day you reach your destination. Avoid booking close to your departure date, as options may be limited. Most transport companies will recommend that you book at least a month in advance so that you have the best rates and a secure spot.
- Is My Vehicle Insured During Transport?
If you book transportation through a reputable transportation company that specializes in snowbird transportation, your vehicle will be insured. But you need to know well what their insurance covers and what is excluded. Most companies have a basic insurance fee and then charge extra for other coverages. Even what is covered under basic insurance will differ from company to company. So, when you are checking out different companies and their prices, you should check this point well. Also, ask your auto insurance provider to see if your plan has any coverage for your vehicle during transit or if they offer any supplemental coverage for vehicle transport.
Conclusion
Snowbird car transportation can make your seasonal migration easier, safer, and more convenient. So, don’t hesitate to look for a reputable and dependable company to ship your vehicle as you become a snowbird for the first time in your life.
If you are interested in shipping your vehicle, you can get an instant quote today!
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