November 22, 2024

What Information Do I Need to Give a Vehicle Transport Company to Get a Quote?

If you are planning on getting a vehicle shipped within Canada, it’s always a good idea to get a few quotes. This may seem like a time-consuming and honestly tedious task, but when entrusting someone with something as valuable as your vehicle, those extra few minutes can make all the difference.

To help you streamline the process just a little, this blog will cover the basic information any reliable vehicle transport company will ask for to give you your quote. We’ll also cover why it can be a major red flag if a car shipper agrees to transport your vehicle without getting these important details.

Basic Information Needed to Get an Accurate Vehicle Shipping Quote

Vehicle Year, Make, and Model

Some of these details might appear obvious, but you’d be surprised. One of the first questions a car transport company needs to know is what they are shipping. There’s a big difference between a Dodge Ram 3500 and a Honda Civic, and from a shipper’s perspective, there’s even a difference between a Ram 3500 and a Toyota Tundra (even though they are both pickup trucks.

Since most vehicles are transported on 10-car open carriers, the type of vehicle you’re shipping will impact logistics for the shipping company. When gathering your quotes have the year, make, and model of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Description of Modifications

If you’ve raised your truck several inches and added oversized tires, the vehicle transport company needs to know. Similarly, if you’ve lowered your ride, added a skirt or otherwise modified the vehicle, the shipper needs to know. Once again it comes down to space and transport logistics. Big trucks take up more space. Vehicles with extremely low ground clearance might not be able to get on a conventional transport carrier at all and will require specialized services.

Is the Vehicle Operational

Can non-drivable vehicles be transported: yes. Do you have to let the transport company know in advance: also yes. Depending on what the issue is, non-operational vehicles may require special equipment to get loaded onto a truck or carrier. It will also impact ***

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

Most people know where they are shipping their car from and to, but there are cases where you might not have your new address yet or another reason you might not be able to provide an exact location. The transport company needs these details for two reasons. First, most quotes are based on a combination of distance and accessibility so there could be a difference between a location in an urban zone versus a rural address. Secondly, some residential or rural addresses might have access restrictions on larger vehicle transport carriers.

If you do not have an address to provide, consider having your car shipped to the nearest terminal to your desired location.

Preferred Time Frame

Are you flexible or in a rush? Do you have specific pickup and drop dates? The vehicle transport company needs to know. This information will not only impact availability, but it could also affect pricing. Generally, the more flexible you are with dates, the lower your rate as this gives the carrier more freedom to plan and optimize their routes.

Why It’s a Red Flag If a Vehicle Transport Doesn’t Ask for Details

Consumers should be wary of vehicle transport companies that offer to give a quote based on partial or incomplete information. A company that doesn’t ask for details might be inexperienced in the industry, or they could be attempting to draw you in with low-ball quotes only to significantly raise the price or add extra fees later.

So, in closing, providing your vehicle and shipping details not only ensures you get the most accurate quote, it also ensures that you are dealing with a transparent, trustworthy vehicle transporter.