May 4, 2023

Do I Need Insurance When Using a Car Hauler in Canada?

If you’re preparing for a big move across Canada, or even just to a province next door, and have decided to ship your vehicle to your new location, you may have “find car hauler Vancouver” at the top of your to-do list. While this is a great step towards getting your car from one location to another, you’ll need to prepare a few more things before you hand over the keys to a car shipping company. Here are some things to think about when it comes to insurance and vehicle transportation in Canada.

Who’s insuring who?

Legally, a car hauler in Canada must have auto transport insurance to cover the shipping of vehicles from point A to point B. With that said, some gray areas may leave you scratching your head and wondering whether your car is covered or not. For example, some companies only carry insurance that will cover your vehicle while in transit (loaded on a transport truck) but not while being driven on or off the lot. Moreover, some companies hire out transportation to third parties who would then need to have their insurance policies as well. Things can quickly become convoluted if you’re not asking the right questions and looking at the right paperwork when trying to ascertain proof of insurance.

Companies that pride themselves on transparency and accountability should carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and require any independent contractors to supply them with COIs claiming their business as additional insured. For situations where the vehicle will be driven outside of truck transit, it’s important to talk to your insurance provider and decide whether additional insurance is necessary to protect your asset and your peace of mind while your vehicle is making its journey.

Establishing a baseline

One helpful practice when handing your keys over to a car hauler in Vancouver is to establish a clear picture of the state of your vehicle when it begins its shipping journey. Conduct a detailed inspection of your car with the shipping company and take pictures of any existing dings or damage to establish a baseline condition of your vehicle. That way, when you go to retrieve your car at the new destination, you can repeat this process making comparisons to how your car looked in the beginning. If there are any issues or new damage found, you’ll have a clear picture of when it was sustained and who is liable. This is not the only step you can take to protect the value of your asset. Depending on your vehicle and preference, you can select a car hauler in Canada that suits the value of your car.

If your car has already seen a lot of life and you are shipping it for practical and sentimental purposes, you may not be as concerned about its environment while in transit. If this is the case, then a standard open-hauler-style truck would be just fine. However, if you are shipping an antique or a high-end vehicle, you may want to consider an enclosed car hauler to mitigate exposure to the elements and any flying debris while being transported.

There are quite a few things to sort out when preparing to load your car into a car hauler in Vancouver, not the least of which is insurance. If you’re planning a move, save yourself the stress and reach out to vehicle transportation experts like the professionals at Able Auto for reassurance about your insurance options when shipping your car across the province or country.