What is snowbird car shipping?
Snowbird car shipping refers to the seasonal transport of vehicles for people who migrate between northern and southern regions, typically during the winter and summer. These services cater to “snowbirds” who relocate to warmer climates in the winter and return north in the summer.
Snowbird auto transport provides convenience for those who spend part of the year in warmer regions like Florida, Arizona, or California to escape harsh winter weather and return to their primary residences in cooler climates when the season changes.
Snowbird car transport ensures their vehicles are transported safely and efficiently, allowing them to enjoy their seasonal homes without the hassle of driving long distances. It’s a popular choice for retirees and vacation homeowners.
Why snowbird car transport is better than driving?
Snowbird car transport is better than driving because it saves time, reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, minimizes the stress and fatigue of long-distance travel, and ensures safe, professional handling of your car. This convenience allows you to focus on enjoying your seasonal relocation.
Snowbird auto transport is often a superior option to driving for several reasons. It significantly saves time, allowing you to fly to your destination rather than spending days on the road. It also reduces wear and tear on your vehicle, preserving its condition and value.
Additionally, using professional transport services minimizes the stress and fatigue associated with long-distance driving, particularly over unfamiliar and potentially hazardous routes.
Safety is another key benefit, as auto transport companies ensure your vehicle is handled by experienced drivers and covered by insurance during transit.
The convenience of snowbird auto transportation allows you to focus on enjoying your seasonal relocation without the logistical hassles of driving. For retirees and vacation homeowners who split their time between different regions, snowbird auto transport offers a reliable, efficient, and hassle-free solution.
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How much does snowbird car shipping cost?
Snowbird car shipping costs vary based on factors such as distance, vehicle size, transport type (open or enclosed), and seasonal demand. Prices typically range from $500 to $1,500 each way. For the most accurate estimate, obtain quotes from multiple reputable auto transport companies.
Understanding the factors that impact car transport costs is essential for making well-informed decisions. Analyzing the factors provides valuable insights to help you throughout the snowbird vehicle shipping process.
- Market demand: During peak snowbird seasons (fall and spring), higher demand can increase prices due to limited carrier availability.
- Truck availability: Limited truck availability, especially during peak seasons, can drive up costs as more people seek transport services.
- Distance: The further your vehicle needs to travel, the higher the cost. Cross-country shipments are more expensive than shorter, regional ones.
- Vehicle dimensions: Due to space and weight limitations, larger and heavier vehicles, like SUVs and trucks, typically cost more to ship than smaller cars.
- Vehicle value: High-value or luxury vehicles may incur higher costs because the carrier uses enclosed transport for added protection.
- Vehicle condition: Non-running vehicles require special equipment and handling, leading to higher shipping costs than operable vehicles.
- Seasonality: Prices can fluctuate based on the time of year, with higher costs during peak snowbird migration periods in fall and spring.
- Fuel prices: Rising fuel costs can directly impact shipping prices as transport companies adjust their rates to cover increased expenses.
- Expedited auto transport: If you need your vehicle shipped quickly, expedited services are available but come at a premium price.
- Guaranteed car pick-up service date: For an additional fee, you can ensure your vehicle is picked up on a specific date, providing greater scheduling certainty.
- Transport type: Open car transport is generally cheaper than enclosed car shipping, which offers more protection and is usually recommended for high-value vehicles.
- Pick-up and delivery locations: Remote or hard-to-reach areas may incur additional fees compared to urban or easily accessible locations.
- Extra services: Additional services such as top-loading can also affect the cost.
- Discounts: Transport companies often offer car shipping discounts for military personnel, students, senior citizens, or repeat customers, which can help lower overall costs.
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Why snowbirds prefer car shipping instead of driving:
Ship personal items It’s possible to ship one or two pieces of luggage, either suitcases or bags, in your vehicle's trunk or cargo area during shipping. You won’t need to worry about the cost of baggage when you fly, and all your essentials are waiting for you when you get there.
Save time Driving long distances can take days, even weeks. Let WeShipCars transport your vehicle securely and safely, and you can choose a quicker way to travel to your destination.
No extra travel spending While a road trip down south might sound appealing, there are many additional expenses to consider. The cost of hotels, gas, food, and drinks quickly adds up throughout your journey.
Avoid lengthy driving You can choose a better way to travel and avoid all the frustrating traffic jams, detours, road works, and stress. Rather than driving your vehicle, choose to ship it with us.
Which auto transport service is preferable for snowbirds?
Door-to-door transport
Snowbirds prefer door-to-door auto transport because we can arrange for a carrier to pick up your car from your doorstep. There must be a suitable open space and no restrictions on the street outside your home. However, don’t worry if that’s not the case, as the driver comes as close as is legal and safe to do so. An additional option is our guaranteed pick-up service. You can make exact arrangements to pick up your vehicle on your chosen day. Snowbird express auto transport is another added service we provide for customers who are in a hurry.
Why choose WeShipCars for your snowbird car transport?
Zero upfront payment
At WeShipCars, you don't have to worry about any upfront payment. You only pay once we’ve assigned a carrier to your shipment.
Free cancellation
Life is full of surprises, and we understand that. That's why we believe you should have the flexibility to cancel your booking without any charges.
Full insurance coverage
Rest assured, your vehicle receives full cargo insurance coverage during transport. Our comprehensive insurance guarantees complete protection for your car throughout the shipping process, giving you peace of mind every step of the way.
Fully vetted and insured car shipping carriers
Rest assured that we prioritize vehicle safety and customer satisfaction above all else. During snowbird vehicle shipping services, we exclusively collaborate with fully vetted and insured carriers that maintain the highest standards of professionalism and care.
Customizable services & dedicated car shipping experts
At WeShipCars, our services are customizable, and our team comprises dedicated car shipping experts. When you choose us, you can tailor your snowbird car transport to fit your specific needs, and our knowledgeable professionals are always there to guide you throughout the process.
24/7 customer support
Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any questions or concerns.
How do snowbird auto transportation services work?
Snowbird auto transportation is a very straightforward process. We ship your vehicle in three easy steps.
- Get a quote and book your order: Start by getting a quote and booking your order. Take advantage of our free, instant online quote calculator and receive your quote in seconds. Alternatively, you can speak directly with our car shipping experts by calling (708) 300-0063 or using our live chat option.
- We pick up your car: We assign one of our fully vetted and insured carriers. The pick-up is as close as is safe and legal to your chosen location.
- We deliver your car: The carrier contacts you beforehand to inform you they’re almost at the destination. After inspecting your vehicle to ensure everything is in order, you sign to accept delivery of your car.
step 1
Get a free, instant quote and book your order
Start the car relocation process by getting a car shipping quote. Use our free instant auto transport cost calculator or speak directly with our car shipping experts by phone or live chat for a personalized quote. Our online quote calculator is quick and easy, providing your quote seconds after you enter basic details like pick-up and delivery locations, vehicle info, and transport type.
You’ll also need to let us know the date when your car is ready for shipping, which is known as the First Available Pick-Up Date.
Your quote is all-inclusive with no hidden charges and is valid for 14 days. If you book later, we can recalculate the cost without needing your details again. We offer a price match promise, ensuring you get the best deal.
Booking is seamless, and no upfront payments are required. You can also cancel for free before we schedule your shipment. If we’ve assigned a carrier, we refund the difference, keeping only up to $199.
step 2
We pick up your vehicle
The carrier contacts you the day before and a few hours before the scheduled pick-up to confirm availability and ensure that the pick-up location is safe and legal. If you can’t be present, you can nominate someone over 18 to release the car. The carrier wants to ensure the pick-up location is accessible. If there are any restrictions, you can arrange a suitable location nearby.
During pick-up, you and the driver inspect the vehicle for existing damage, noting it on the Bill of Lading (BOL). After completing the documentation, you hand over the keys. You can stay updated by contacting our car shipping experts or the carrier regularly.
step 3
We deliver your vehicle
The carrier calls you the day before and a few hours before delivery to confirm your availability and that the delivery location is safe and legal. If you cannot receive the vehicle, you can nominate someone over 18 to act on your behalf. Upon arrival, inspect the vehicle with the driver, compare it with the original BOL, and sign to accept delivery. Finally, make the necessary payment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
With snowbird vehicle shipping, you can transport various vehicles, including cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, vans, vintage, and collectible vehicles.
A carrier transports vehicles using specialized auto transport carriers during snowbird car shipping. These carriers can be either open or enclosed, depending on the level of protection required. Here’s how we transport vehicles:
Open Car Transport: The carrier loads the vehicles onto an open-air trailer exposed to the elements but securely tied down to prevent movement. This method is cost-effective and suitable for most standard cars.
Enclosed Car Transport: Vehicles are loaded into an enclosed trailer with walls and a roof, offering protection from weather conditions, road debris, and other hazards. This method is ideal for high-value, classic, or exotic vehicles.
Loading and Securing: Carriers carefully load vehicles onto trailers using ramps and secure them with straps or wheel chocks to prevent shifting during transit.
Transportation: The carrier then transports the vehicles along scheduled routes, adhering to safety regulations and ensuring timely delivery.
Delivery: Upon reaching their destination, vehicles are unloaded and inspected by their owner or designated recipient to ensure they arrive in the same condition as when they were loaded.
Preparing your vehicle for auto transport helps ensure a smooth and safe journey. Here are the key steps to prepare your vehicle:
- Wash and Clean: Wash your vehicle thoroughly to help you document any existing damage and identify any new damage upon delivery.
- Inspect for Damage: Conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle. On the BOL (Bill of Lading), note any existing dents, scratches, or other damages.
- Remove Personal Items: Remove all personal belongings and valuables from the vehicle. Auto transport carriers are not responsible for items left in the car.
- Avoiding wear and tear: Long-distance drives can put significant mileage and wear on your vehicle, potentially decreasing its value or leading to costly maintenance needs. Shipping your car can help preserve its condition.
- Check Fluids and Tire Pressure: Ensure that your vehicle has adequate fluids (e.g., coolant, brake fluid) and check tire pressure.
- Disable Alarms: Disable car alarms to prevent them from going off during transport.
- Secure Loose Parts: Secure or remove any loose parts or accessories on the vehicle's exterior or interior.
- Quarter Tank Rule: Keep the fuel tank around a quarter full for safety and weight considerations.
- Provide Copies of Keys: Provide the carrier with copies of all keys, including keys for ignition, trunk, and any locked compartments.
- Communicate Special Requirements: Inform the auto transport company of any special requirements or conditions for your vehicle.
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Get a free, instant quote today and see how easy and affordable auto transport can be with WeShipCars.