Tag: auto transport

Why Using Auto Transport Brokers May Be a Good Idea

Why Using Auto Transport Brokers May Be a Good Idea

Why Using Auto Transport Brokers May Be a Good Idea

Auto transport brokers are very vital in the Canada car shipping service industry. When you are looking for auto shipping services, the brokers act as the middlemen between you and the major shipping companies. They specialize in helping clients find the right companies to trust with their car shipping needs and since they work with multiple carries, they can facilitate car shipping to destinations that some companies cannot manage.

How the auto transport brokers work

Auto transport brokers usually have a list of reputable car shipping companies including the areas they serve, the rates charged, and their truck profiles. Most importantly, they have inside information about the companies offering discounts, specials deals and other incentives which may not be known to you as a client.
Most of the reputable auto transport brokers in the Canada car shipping service industry will have the ability to access instant quotes from multiple car shipping companies, both in your area of origin and the final destination. A majority of them have websites where you can submit your requirements for car shipping and you will be automatically matched to multiple companies around you.
Though the car shipping companies in Canada do not require you to access them via the brokers, using the brokers will save you a lot of time and hassles associated with searching for a reputable company and negotiating with them the terms of your car shipping.

Benefits of using auto shipping brokers

There are additional benefits you will get by using the services of auto shipping brokers to meet your car shipping needs in Canada. They include but are not limited to the following:

Brokers can get you better deals

The auto shipping companies in Canada rely on the auto brokers to find clients. In most cases, the shipping companies are constrained in terms of marketing work and budget and instead of sweating it out on their own they rely on the brokers to keep on getting business. As a result, they offer better deals to the brokers who in turn use the deals to entice you to get business. Ultimately, you benefit from good rates when working with the brokers.

You work with reliable car transporters

By working with a broker, you increase your chances of working with a very reliable Canada car shipping company. The brokers are keen to work with transporters who are fully licensed, insured and have good customer feedback. The brokers already have a list of such companies at their disposal and it would take you a great deal of time and effort to vet the vehicle moving companies until you find the reputable ones to work with.

Brokers offer you with a single point of contact

With the brokers, you will get a one-stop-shop for all your car shipping needs. You will be able to make reservations, submit payment, report complaints or compliments, and track the progress of your shipping all from one place. Because they have been in the industry for long and they have all the necessary contacts, they will preempt any troubles you may encounter, thus giving you the peace of mind to ship your vehicle without worrying.

The Vehicle Transport Options at Your Disposal

The Vehicle Transport Options at Your Disposal

The Vehicle Transport Options at Your Disposal

Canada vehicle transport companies offer various options to ensure that your car reaches the intended destination securely. The options available are suited to meet the varying needs and preferences of each and every client. It is also important to point out that these options will be available at different price ranges, though this should never be the main factor of concern when you are looking for the right auto transport company to take care of your car shipping needs in Canada. The following are some of the options you will have at your disposal:

Car Transportation by Trucks

Car transportation by road is perhaps the most common type of auto transport. Most of the people with the need to move their cars prefer this means if they need to move the car from one city to another within Canada. It is a relatively safe mode and not very expensive, hence within the range of most people. Below are some of the options for car transportation by trucks:

Enclosed auto transportation

In this method of Canada auto shipping service, the car is transported in an enclosed container, making it safe from all the flying debris, harsh elements of the weather as well as the prying eyes of the public. This is the best option if you needed to ship an antique car, a classic car or a very expensive SUV. But be prepared to pay slightly more compared to the other options.

Top Load Vehicle Transport Services

With top load vehicle transport services, your car will be placed on top of a car transport truck. This option is normally preferred if you wanted to expedite or prioritize the shipping process. Though you will pay more, the car will be safe from debris and fluid leaks from other vehicles which might end up causing damage to your car. It is a nice option if you need to ship a sedan or convertibles.

Car shipping by a boat or ship

Car shipping by boats or by ship is for when you need to ship your car overseas. With this option, you can decide to use dedicated containers or RoRo ships. With the former, your car will be placed in a dedicated container where it will be fastened securely before being shipped to the desired destination. With the latter on the other hand, the car will be driven onto a RoRo ship at the port of origin and driven off the ship at the port of destination. It is the most affordable option if you are looking to ship overseas.

Car Transport by train

Though it is not very popular, auto transport Canada by train is another option at your disposal for shipping your car in Canada. With this method, you can save between 15% and 30% of the cost you would have used with the conventional means of shipping cars. It is ideal when you need to move your car long distances and since your car will be transported in a fully enclosed container, you don’t have to worry about damages or the elements of the weather affecting your car.

Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Your Car in Canada

Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Your Car in Canada

Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Your Car in Canada

When you are looking to use the services of the auto shipping companies in Canada, all you want is a smooth provider who will deliver your car in one piece to the final destination. It goes without saying that the responsibility to find a good Canada car shipping company lies with you and below are five points you want to follow to ensure that you do not have a bad car shipping experience:

Research the shipping company

When looking for the company to task with your auto shipping needs, take time to check out for legitimacy and good service delivery. Find out if they are truly registered by the relevant authorities and if they have the necessary insurances.

Additionally, look them up in online review websites such as Better Business Bureau to find out if they have any active complaints and read what the past clients have to say about their services. This is the first step towards eliminating illegal companies and those who offer poor services.

Don’t pay too much

Sometimes we associate a higher cost with better service, but that is not always the case. As much as you want to get the best services, you should avoid paying the Canada car shipping companies a lot of money. The rates will vary from company to company and you should ask for free quotes from multiple companies so that you make a comparison. The idea here is not to work with the cheapest company but rather a company with a good compromise between the cost and the quality of the actual services offered.

Keenly investigate the rates and be sure that you know the specific services you will be getting for the rates offered. Additionally, take time to read the fine print so that you are not surprised with hidden charges once you append your signature to commit to the shipping.

Have your documents ready

Any Canada car shipping company will require a set of documents when you want to ship your car with them. These documents may include car registration documents, certificate of insurance, vehicle inspection report, amongst others. For a more precise list of the documents needed, simply ask the shipping company what they will need and ensure that you have all of them by the time you will want the shipping done. Failure to have all the documents can cause unwarranted delays in the shipping and it can potentially land you into problems with the law enforcers.

Adequate insurance coverage

Most companies offering auto shipping service Canada will have the necessary insurance to cover your car in case there is an accident or damages during the shipment. However, you should not take their word for it. Ask to see a copy of the insurance information and call the provider to verify if the coverage is valid and is per the terms stated by the auto shipping company. If the coverage is not sufficient, you may opt to get your own insurance for the shipping or additional cover for things that might have not been covered by the company’s insurance.

Auto Shipping Requirements You Should Know About

Auto Shipping Requirements You Should Know About

Auto Shipping Requirements You Should Know About

Less than 5% of the cars shipped by Canada auto shipping companies usually report significant damages from the shipping process, but it is always a good idea for you to protect yourself against potential issues which might arise during the shipping. This is done by getting the right insurance and understanding the specifics of the items covered.

The minimum auto shipping insurance requirements

Legally authorized car shipping companies are required by the law to have liability insurance. It is also recommended that you make sure that the company you want to entrust with your auto shipping needs have cargo insurance. With these two, it implies that the shipping company is well insured, and should take care of any damage caused during the transportation process once you pay the insurance deductibles, if there are any. The specific terms as well as the amount of coverage vary from company to company and thus you should inspect the shipping company’s coverage before agreeing to any terms of the auto shipping.

Is the minimum coverage enough?

While inspecting the auto transport Canada company’s insurance, keep in mind that you are free to purchase additional insurance if you feel that what is offered is not sufficient for the kind of coverage you desire for your car. Always do whatever is necessary to guarantee the safety of your vehicle while it is being shipped.

The amount of insurance offered by the auto shipping companies as required by law will in most cases offer the minimum coverage, which may be sufficient for some people. However, it is your responsibility to scrutinize the coverage and determine if it fits your needs. Also, remember to call your own auto insurance company and ask if they offer any coverage when your car is being transported and if so, what specifically does the cover include. Whether there is cover for your car during the shipping or not, it is still recommended that you inform your insurance company about the shipping.

Pertinent questions you need to ask regarding the auto insurance

As indicated earlier, you will want to verify with your preferred Canada car shipping company about the specifics of their insurance when transporting your vehicle. To help you get a clear picture of the coverage, below are some relevant questions you ought to ask:

• Are there any deductibles, and if so,
• How much will pay in terms of deductibles for the damage claims?
• Is the whole car covered or just a few parts?
• To what extent does the coverage apply?
• Is there specialty items such as ground effects or spoilers covered?
• Are there possibilities to purchase additional coverage?

If you need to make a claim

Upon delivery, take time to inspect your car to ensure that it is delivered in the same condition as you gave it to the auto shipping company. If the car was delivered with damages arising from the shipping, take note of the damages on the Bill of Landing and let the employee who delivered your car sign the form before you accept the car. Then contact your insurance and the car shipping company immediately informing them of the damages to kick start the process of resolving the issues.

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance

When considering Canada auto transport, you will always have many questions lingering in your mind about the coverage for your vehicle when under shipping. It is always a shocker for many Canadians to find out that they will have to dig into their pockets to cater for damages that might have been occasioned by the shipping process and which they thought the shipping company would take care of.

To avoid such situations, it pays to have a clear understanding of what is covered and what is not covered from the moment your vehicle is loaded onto the auto transport truck for shipment to your new destination. Here is what you need to know as far as the auto insurance is concerned:

Demand to see proof of insurance from the car shipping company

It is a legal requirement for every Canada auto transport company to have a valid auto insurance certificate and they ought to provide it upon request. As a client entrusting them with the safe shipment of your vehicle, you should demand to see this policy and request to be told in terms that you can understand the particulars covered by the policy. It is of interest to you to know what kind of damages are covered, if the whole car is covered or just a few parts and whether you will be requested to pay deductibles should there be any damages.

It is always a good idea to counter check with your auto insurance company

Depending on the policy you hold, your insurance may offer certain coverage when the vehicle is being transported, but you should not assume and this is why it is always a good idea to call them and confirm the specifics of the coverage when your vehicle is being transported.

Loose items shipped inside the car are never covered

Most of the Canada auto transport companies will never cover damages to the interior of the car. This applies to any items shipped with the car and this is why you are encouraged to remove any loose items from the car’s interior before shipping. Theft of any form of the interior accessories is also not covered and this is why it is recommended that custom accessories such as GPS systems, DVD players, cassettes, CDS and other lose items should be removed before the shipping.

Always be present during pre-possession inspection

Before the auto shipping company assumes possession of the car, they will conduct a thorough inspection and take note of existing damages. For insurance purposes and for the sake of dispute resolution, you should be present during the inspection so that both of you agree on the condition of the car. In some instances, taking photographs is highly recommended so that you can have clear records of the car’s condition prior to shipping.

When to make claims

Should there be damages which you feel the insurance should take care of, you should file claims immediately once the car is delivered. The damages should be well captured in the Bill of Landing, which you should also attach a copy when submitting the claim. There is always a timeline within which such claims ought to be filed and you are recommended to do it as soon as possible.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping Cars in Canada

Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping Cars in Canada

Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping Cars in Canada

The cost of Canada car shipping services is always a factor of great concern for the individuals looking to ship their cars from one location to another. Some people are fond of accusing the auto shipping companies of charging exorbitant rates, but if you are keen enough, you will realize that the rates are never the same. Several factors dictate the car shipping rates and unless you understand them, you will think that the car shipping companies are ripping you off. The following are a few factors that the companies consider when coming up with your auto shipping quote:

The distance from the point of origin to the final destination

The first factor that affects the rate you will pay to the Canada auto transport company is the distance between the port or point of origin and the final destination. Naturally, the longer the distance, the more fuel and time the auto shipping company will use and consequently, you will be required to pay more if you have to ship your car long distances.

The actual location of your car

Most companies offer pick up and drop off services for clients looking forward to shipping their cars, but all these come with additional expenses. If you can drive your car to the pick-up location, you can save on the accompanying fees and reduce the overall cost of the shipping. If, however, you are unable to deliver the car to the designated pick up location, you will be charged additional expenses to have the company come and pick your car from its current location.

The type car

It goes without saying that shipping a classic car is more expensive than shipping an ordinary sedan. Most car companies will consider the value of the vehicle when calculating the quote. The more expensive the car, the more care it will require and this also extends to the insurance since it will cost slightly higher to cover for the duration of the shipping. All these costs are passed on to you as the client.
Along with the type of car, auto shipping companies in Canada will consider the size and the weight of the car, and these will have an impact on the final quote. For example, a larger vehicle like a Chevy Tahoe will take up more space on the transport truck compared to a Honda Civic.

The Type of Truck

Different kinds of trucks are available for auto shipping depending on the type of car to be shipped as well as the preferences of the clients. For an everyday family car shipping, an open transport truck would suffice, and it will be less expensive, though your car will be exposed to all the harsh elements of the weather and debris such as flying stones when the truck is moving.
If you wanted to ship a classic car or a very expensive sports utility vehicle, you may require enclosed auto transportation. This is a very secure option and your vehicle will be protected against all the elements of weather and things like falling debris. You will, however, have to pay slightly more for enclosed auto shipping.

Tips for Lowering Your Auto Car Shipping Cost

Tips for Lowering Your Auto Car Shipping Cost

It never hurts to save money in any endeavour you hope to take on. Expenses can quickly add up when transporting your vehicle, whether it may be within the country or overseas. If you are looking for car shipping services, the following tips will help you save and lower the car shipping cost.

Choose the shipping method carefully

For international auto shipping, RoRo services would be the most ideal and affordable option to ship your vehicle. However, if you are thinking of shipping a high-end car or an antique car, then the using an enclosed shipping container would be the most appropriate.
If you are shipping your car within the country, a cheaper selection is open truck shipping. Doing your research can help you find good deals.

Consider the sourcing location

When you are looking for a car, consider the location of the main ports in the country of origin. To find this information, you can simply use the internet or the services of a reputable international auto shipping company. If the location of the car is far away from the main ports of exit from that country, expect to pay more for the shipping. A good idea would be to source for the car from locations that are near the main ports so that you don’t pay much on the shipping.

Be careful with the car shipping insurance

Insurance is a major cost factor for auto shipping. Although it is a onetime purchase, the fees can add up. It is common for insurance companies to try and sell you the “best” coverage for your vehicle, but you should be keen on buying only the insurance you need for that shipment. The auto shipping company that you have signed up with will have their own insurance in place; if you need additional coverage, then focus on getting insurance for what the auto shipping company’s insurance does not cover.

Always buy from a dealer

If you are purchasing overseas and you want to lower the car shipping cost to Canada, you will be better off making the purchase from a dealer as opposed to private sellers, usually found through the internet.

Many private sellers will make unrealistic promises to you and demand more money once they deliver the car at your doorstep. Whereas, reputable dealers already have structures in place to ensure the safe delivery of the vehicle to your destination of choice. Besides, their quote will include the shipping costs and this will be far much affordable compared to shipping the car on your own.

Auto Transport Broker Vs Auto Transport Carrier

Car Transporter Auto Transport Canada

Auto Transport Broker Vs Auto Transport Carrier: What You Need to Know

If you are considering car shipping in Canada, you have probably come across the terms “Auto transport broker” and “Auto transport carrier.” Both are options available at your disposal whenever you need to ship your car, and the choice of either will depend on a number of factors. The fundamental thing is to understand the different between the two and know how they operate so that you will be better placed to make an informed decision when making your choice.

The Difference

Irrespective of whether you use an auto transport broker or an auto transport carrier, the basics will remain the same, in the sense that your vehicle will be shipped from destination A to B and you will have to pay for the car transport Canada services. But that’s generally where all the similarities end.

In the Canada car shipping service industry, an auto transport broker is a company that resells the services you outsource to them. For instance, the brokers will charge you a fee for shipping your car even though they are not the people who will do the actual shipping. They will in turn call several car shipping companies to sell your car shipping job to and when they find the right company, they will be out of the picture.

An auto transport carrier, on the other hand, will be tasked with the actual moving of your car from destination A to destination B. It is like going straight to a wholesaler and bypassing all the retailers when you need to buy your jewelry or furniture. You thus don’t have to deal with the middlemen in between.

Merits and demerits of using either brokers or carriers to take care of your auto shipping needs

Below is a brief look into the merits and demerits of using either carriers or brokers for your car shipping needs-:

Selection – brokers present the widest selection for car shipping. In most cases, they have a preapproved list of carriers they can give your job to or they will post your job online for a carrier to select. When working with a carrier directly, you will be responsible for all the arrangements and communications and this might take some time.

Fees and cancellation – Brokers search for carries at rates below what they charged you so that the markup becomes their profit. With brokers, you will pay a non-refundable deposit. Carriers on the other hand will collect their balance upon delivery of the vehicle and they will allow you to cancel the agreement anytime before pick up. Brokers don’t entertain cancellation and once you pay the deposit, you are bounded to them, unless you decide to forfeit the payment and work with another auto shipping company.

Guaranteed pick up – brokers don’t guarantee any pick up because they are not in direct control of the actual shipping. Auto transport carriers on the other hand can offer guaranteed pickups.

Door to door deliveries – carriers can arrange for door to door deliveries or you can arrange to meet the driver in a nearby landmark or shopping center for delivery. Brokers may not be able to arrange for door to door delivery because once they pass over your vehicle to the carrier, they get out of the picture and you hope that the vehicle arrives safely to the collection point.