There are several reasons why anyone would want to ship their cars. It could be relocation, sending it as a gift to someone abroad, or even selling it. Whichever reason it is, the primary goal is to save money on the entire process. So if you have a car to ship anytime soon and you are searching for the cheapest way to ship your car to your new location, then you are on the right page.
In this article, we will talk about the various ways you can ship your car and some other factors that could influence the cost of shipping.
Car Shipping; Mode Of Delivery
When it comes to car shipping, there are two modes of delivery— Terminal to terminal car shipping and Door to door shipping.
Terminal to Terminal Car Shipping
With this option, you will be the one to move your car to the loading terminal and be available to pick it up when it lands at the destination. There are various terminals across Canada, including Winnipeg, Albert, Ontario, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, to name a few.
If you choose terminal to terminal shipping, you should note that your car could stay in transit for 8 to 11 days on average. However, good car shipping companies will allow you to track the current location of your car while on transit.
Door To Door Shipping
Door to door auto shipping method is the most convenient option. If you choose this method, your car will be picked up and delivered to your front door. This model is perfect for damaged or none functioning cars as you cannot drive to terminals.
Most Canadians prefer open or enclosed truck car shipping methods. Check out the best furniture shipping companies.
The Most Affordable Way to Ship a Car That’s Non-Operational
Open Car Transport
Open transport is the most popular car shipping method used by average car shippers in Canada. Open car transport is a cheap car shipping method that uses a multi-car trailer to move vehicles from one place to another. This shipping method offers extra visibility to the driver and anyone inspecting the car during the shipping process.
Enclosed Car Transport
Enclosed car shipping is perfect for non-functional cars. For this shipping method, they will load your car into enclosed trucks or rail carriers with the help of lift gates. This method is cost-efficient and suitable for low clearance cars.
Cheapest Way To Ship A Car based on Mode Of Transportation (Carrier Options)).
Train Carriers
When you consider transportation, one of the most affordable ways of shipping a car is via rail carriers. This form of shipping is safe and offers adequate protection for your car. The enclosed trailer carrier offers protection from hail storms or dust and helps preserve the value of your car. Also, with train carriers, you can cover long distances.
Trucks Carriers
The different types of trucks used for shipping cars include open trucks, enclosed trailers, and expedited trucks. The open trucks are the cheapest in the truck categories, closely followed by enclosed trucks. The expedited trucks are the most expensive ones in this category.
Factors that Determine The Cost of Shipping Cars
The following factors influence the price of shipping cars in Canada.
Location and Distance
The distance between the pick-up point and destination will significantly affect the price you’ll be charged for your shipment. It would help if you noted that most auto transport companies charge per mile.
Season
The cost of shipping cars is also influenced by the year’s seasons. When you ship during summer, shipping cost drops a bit due to the high shipping traffic associated with summertime. During the winter, prices could increase due to the dangers of snowy routes.
Mode of shipping
Another factor that could affect your shipping cost is the mode of transportation you choose. So before selecting a shipping method, always ensure to ask about the cost of each suitable method.
Delivery Time
Most shipping companies usually offer two types of delivery time to their customers—the average or general delivery time and the Expedited delivery time.
Expedited shipping is designed to meet urgent needs. So it will reflect in your overall shipping cost. As such, the shipping company may end up shipping only your car or even change the shipping route. All these come at an extra cost to the company.
Expedited shipping is also perfect for moving expensive cars since it will accommodate more cars and take more security measures.
