Whether you're relocating, purchasing a vehicle from another province, or simply looking for a convenient way to move a vehicle across Canada, professional vehicle transportation can save you time, mileage, and stress. However, the shipping process is often unfamiliar territory for most people, and that can lead to misunderstandings along the way.
At Hansen's, we have noticed that many of the same issues can create unnecessary delays, confusion, or complications during the shipping process.
The good news is that these mistakes are easy to avoid with a little preparation. Here are some of the most common vehicle shipping mistakes we see and our recommendations for ensuring a smooth transportation experience.
One of the most frequent misconceptions is that personal items can remain inside the vehicle during transport. Even when this has been discussed beforehand, customers occasionally leave bags, clothing, electronics, or other belongings in their vehicle.
In most cases, personal items cannot be transported inside vehicles. These restrictions help ensure compliance with transportation regulations and reduce potential risks during transit.
Before pickup, take time to thoroughly check your vehicle and remove all personal belongings. A quick inspection of the trunk, centre console, glove compartment, and storage areas can help prevent delays.
For customers using terminal-to-terminal shipping services, it's natural to want to pick up a vehicle as soon as possible. However, arriving at a terminal before receiving confirmation from Hansen’s can lead to frustration.
Even if a vehicle has arrived in the city, it may not yet be available for release or accessible for pickup. Our team will contact you once your vehicle is ready.
To avoid unnecessary travel, wait until you receive confirmation from our office before heading to the terminal.
Many customers assume that once their vehicle is picked up, it will travel directly to its destination. In reality, vehicle transportation often involves multiple connections, transfer points, and transportation corridors.
Depending on where your vehicle is travelling within Canada, it may be moved through different terminals or carriers before reaching its final destination.
Understanding this process from the beginning can help set realistic expectations regarding transit times and delivery schedules.
Another common issue involves payment requirements. Customers occasionally assume payment can be completed after transportation has begun.
To avoid delays, full payment must be received before the vehicle can be transported. Confirming payment details early and ensuring everything has been processed before your scheduled pickup date can help keep your shipment on schedule.
Modern vehicles often come with connected apps that allow owners to lock, unlock, track, or remotely manage their vehicle. While these features are useful in everyday life, they can create problems once a vehicle is in transit.
Our transportation teams require full access to the vehicle throughout the shipping process. Remotely locking the vehicle, restricting access, or disabling certain functions can delay transportation operations.
We also recommend avoiding the use of vehicle apps for tracking purposes while your vehicle is in our care. The information displayed may not always reflect the most current transportation status. For the most accurate updates, rely on the tracking information provided through Hansen’s.
Vehicle inspections are a critical part of the transportation process. Before pickup and again upon delivery, the vehicle's condition must be reviewed and documented.
Someone must be available to inspect the vehicle and sign the required paperwork at both ends of the shipment. Keys should never be left unattended with the vehicle, as they must be exchanged directly during the inspection process. Planning ahead and ensuring a responsible party is present can help prevent scheduling complications.
As electric vehicles become increasingly common, this issue is becoming more frequent. EVs need sufficient battery power to be moved, loaded, unloaded, and transferred throughout their journey.
Before pickup, make sure your electric vehicle is fully charged. This simple step helps ensure your vehicle can be safely handled at every stage of transportation.
Preparing your vehicle properly before transportation can help prevent delays, improve communication, and create a smoother shipping experience from start to finish. At Hansen’s, our experienced team guides customers through every step of the process and helps avoid common issues before they arise. If you're planning to ship a vehicle anywhere in Canada, contact Hansen’s today to learn more about our vehicle transportation services and receive a personalized quote.
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