Brantley Kendall 08 Nov 2024 1 month ago The time has come, and snowbird season is about to be in full swing. If you count yourself among those heat-loving, sunshine-dependent folks and want to move down south with your car in tow, you should go through some basic preparatory steps to ensure a smooth process. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to prepare for snowbird season, including preparing a car for shipping as a snowbird, to make sure the whole thing is as headache-free as possible. What Is the Snowbird Season? In short, snowbird season refers to the time (usually between October and December) when temperatures drop in the northern reaches of the United States—and even further up, extending up to Canada—which entices many to migrate to warm-weather havens like Florida, Arizona, and Texas. This creates a significant surge in the demand for auto transport services, and car shipping brokers have their hands full at almost all times. For you, as a snowbird, the most important preparation step before the season arrives is to start your research phase approximately 6 to 8 weeks ahead of your intended move date. At that point, though most companies would usually have some availability left, you might have to resort to a last-minute booking. However, those might come at a higher cost. The Essentials: Necessary Steps for Preparing the Car for Shipping as a Snowbird Once your scheduled shipping date is approaching, you’ll want to take care of a number of things to increase the chances that transportation goes on without a hitch. Perform a Physical Inspection Before handing over your vehicle to the driver, you’ll want to verify and document its condition. This protects you against auto shipping scams, whereby the driver or company would blame you for any damage the car sustained on the road, claiming that it had been there since the start. While car shipping is generally safe, incidents do happen, even in enclosed car shipping. Remaining vigilant is your simplest and best weapon to keep everything above board. Remove Personal Belongings Shipping companies typically have policies against allowing clients to ship their cars with stuff inside—and for good reason. Heavier items can affect the car’s overall weight, increasing shipping costs and the possibility of interior damage, while smaller things can become displaced, damaged, or lost. At most, you’ll be allowed just a small amount of personal belongings to be transported with the car. The rule of thumb is: if it’s easily detachable, it shouldn’t be in the vehicle. Take your time to empty the car, removing items like sports gear, emergency kits, cleaning supplies, GPS devices or phone chargers. Check Fluids and Battery While shipping a non-running car is possible, most snowbirds want to have a usable vehicle once they’re down south. This means that for loading and unloading, the car has to be operational. To ensure it’s in proper working condition, check the oil, brake fluid and the coolant levels, as well as the battery’s charge. Top off low fluids and address any minor maintenance issues before the car gets shipped off. Consider Seasonal Preparations If you’re shipping from far up north and/or you’re shipping last minute, your car may already be facing winter weather conditions, which could have affected its battery, fluids, and tire pressure—critical factors that you’ll need to address beforehand. If anything requires defrosting, like your windshield or windows, take care of that, and be sure to check antifreeze levels if necessary. Confirm Insurance Coverage & Other Necessary Documentation Before the car is shipped, confirm the type of insurance coverage included in the shipping contract. Many shipping providers offer basic liability coverage, but it may be limited. For additional peace of mind, you might consider purchasing supplemental coverage, especially if your vehicle has high value or sentimental worth. Clarify any exclusions, as some policies might not cover certain types of damage. The Takeaway Preparing your car for shipping in the snowbird season may feel like a daunting task. As we showcase above, though, it really isn’t all that complicated, especially if you give yourself enough of a headstart to avoid peak season! With these tips, you’ll be well on your way south to escape the biting cold. Still haven’t sorted anything out with your migration? Contact Sakaem Logistics today for a free quote! We’ll be happy to explore options and get your car down to the specified destination safely and reliably—with decades of experience, it’s what we’re best at! You may also read: Auto Transport for Relocation – How to Plan Ahead Brantley Kendall Share this: