The weather is warming up, and if you’re a snowbird, you may be preparing to move back north for the summer. Living this semi-nomadic lifestyle can be a great way to enjoy our country’s best weather. But it does come with some challenges, including figuring out how to get your car back and forth from your two homes each year.
Car transport services can make moving your car from Maryland to Florida and back easy.
It will allow you tread warmer regions, such as Florida with ease. Just as snowbirds make the flight every single year, you seem to be catching on the trend. All it requires is a little planning ahead for the summer and winter seasons.
Whether you’re retired or you work from home, becoming a snowbird can be a great opportunity. However, there are some questions that need answering before you can make it happen. At Geyers Towing, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
What are snowbirds?
“Snowbirds” has become the term to describe retirees who wish to move from the cold weather to the warm weather. Many people don’t want to deal with the snow and ice, especially as they are enjoying their golden years.
When you become a snowbird, you decide to have two homes. The first is the home that you have in Potomac, MD. The second is the home that you would have in Florida – and this can be either a rental or a home that you buy and choose to rent out during the months you are not living in it. Moving to warm weather for part of the year can be very relaxing and liberating.
The snowbird season varies based on temperatures and your own personal preferences. However, many officials from the tourism bureau said that the season runs from November until March. This would mean that you would leave your home in Maryland sometime in November and return in March.
Challenges of Snowbirding
While being a snowbird can have several wonderful benefits, it also comes with challenges. It’s no easy feat to pack up most of your daily essentials every six months and move them across the country. And even if you have duplicate sets of things like kitchen utensils and linens, there are a few things you will have to move before your southern auto transport journey.
Getting your car down to Florida and back to your summer home can be a real adventure for us older folks, so why not invest in snowbird auto transport. For example, driving from Potomac, MD, down 95 South to Florida can take eleven and sixteen hours, depending on your final destination. So save the miles on your vehicle. Car hauling is the way to go!
Why would I want to migrate?
There are a number of reasons why you would want to migrate to warm weather. It can offer you a significant amount of freedom. With so many snowbird rentals in Florida, you can choose so many amazing cities.
Additionally, when you rent a property, you can choose a different city to snowbird in each year. Some of the top cities to snowbird in include:
- Naples
- Sarasota
- Key West
- Venice
- Madeira Beach
In addition to being able to explore some beautiful parts of Florida, you can also make sure to get away from the cold. Imagine being able to wear shorts and tank tops in December and January when all of your Maryland neighbors are bundled in jackets and scarves. You won’t have to worry about de-icing your driveway and you can drive on the roads with greater confidence because there won’t be any snow.
Your love of outdoor sports won’t have to come to a halt in the winter, either. Florida is known for its countless golf courses. You can also find plenty of tennis courts, biking paths, and more. You may also want to find a new hobby to enjoy in sunny Florida, such as water skiing or taking a few jet skis onto one of the waterways.
Snowbirds tend to be healthier, too. Why is that? You are able to enjoy the best weather in Maryland and Florida without experiencing any of the negative aspects. You escape the harsh climate of Maryland so that it doesn’t lead to getting sick and rundown. You also escape allergy season in Florida because you have already returned to Maryland by then. Further, you will start to build a community in both places, which can lead to improved mental health.
With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why so many retirees are choosing to become snowbirds. It’s something that you can do each and every year. In fact, you might already know some of your neighbors who have become snowbirds. It can ensure that you have someone to turn to in order to ask important questions. Plus, you can already know someone in Florida once you get down there for the winter.
How can I go about making the move?
If you decide that you want to be a snowbird, it’s important to consider the various challenges that are ahead of you. This includes:
- Deciding where you will live
- Deciding whether to rent or own
- Deciding whether you will drive or fly down to Florida
- Determining what your budget is going to be
It is important to know that you are going to have some challenges. It will take quite a bit of work for you to get ready for your temporary move to Florida. While there are services that can help you, there will be the need to forward your prescriptions, forward your mail, and even cancel your newspaper. You will also want to check with your insurance to make sure that you have the coverage where you’re going.
You will also need to prep your home so that it can be left unattended for several months. This will ensure that you don’t come home to a big mess. It may be a good idea to leave your house key with someone so that they can come in and check on things periodically.
If you do decide that you want to take a road trip, you can also explore towing for vintage vehicles.
If you have a classic car that you love to show off, there are some amazing car shows all throughout Florida. It will allow you to meet other car lovers when your vehicle is on display. Plus, you won’t have to worry about putting unnecessary miles on it to get it from Potomac, MD.
After you have made some important decisions, you can start to explore transport services. This ensures that you can have your vehicle with you when you come down to Florida. It can be a lot easier to fly down to Florida and have your vehicle brought down with the help of a professional vehicle transportation company.
Becoming a snowbird can be one of the greatest adventures once you retire or even before. Even though you may call Potomac home, the relief from the cold during the winter months can be just what you need. When you are ready to schedule snowbird transport, contact us at Geyers Towing to learn more.
What Are Snowbird Car Transport Services?
Let’s talk about how Snowbird car transport services can take the headache of getting your vehicle to your winter home in Florida.
Geyers Towing will load your car onto a truck and take it to Florida for you while you hop a plane and relax on your way down to the land of sunshine and sand. Next, prepare to pick your car up in Florida without one extra mile, safe and sound. We provide snowbird auto transport for the following vehicles:
- Any Size Pickup Trucks
- Any Size SUVs
- Any Size Cars
- Minivans
- +More!
Benefits of Using a Snowbird Auto Transport Service
Let’s explore the sunny benefits of using a snowbird auto transport service, beginning with the fact that you don’t have to make that drive yourself. No long drive down 95 South- count me in snowbird!
Car transport services allow you to get your car to Florida without scratches, dents, or dings. It will reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, extending the life of your tires and many of the major systems in your car. It can also allow you to take vintage cars to your winter home, where you can ride around the Florida coast in style- woo-hoo!
Finding the Right Auto Transport Company in Florida
When you decide to use a snowbird car transport service, you need to find a company you can trust. You’ll be giving these people free access to your car for days or weeks – you want to be sure it will be in good hands. So it would help if you asked a few questions before deciding which company will take your vehicle down South and maybe even back up North.
Snowbird Car Insurance
Ask your potential companies what documentation they require to transport your car. If they don’t at least ask for your registration and proof of insurance, you need to find another company. The auto transport company should also provide you with an option to inspect the vehicle upon arrival. Your vintage ride should arrive in style (& mint condition).
Fill out our auto transport form for more information on payment arrangements, including when you’ll need to pay – before or after your car is delivered.
Decide on Your Car Transport Style
You’ll also need to consider what sort of transport style you want to use for your vehicle transport service as you’re shopping.
These services usually use one of two types of transport: open carriers and closed carriers.
Open carriers are the trucks you pass on the highway with cars lined up on two available platforms. Closed carriers have either metal grates around the outside of the vehicle or a fully enclosed cargo bay to protect the vehicles from debris and damage.
Closed carriers are a good option for rare or expensive cars, but they will raise your towing costs. Open carriers are more affordable, but they may leave your vehicle vulnerable to dings from flying rocks and other road debris.
Get Quotes Before Shipping Your Car to Florida
Once you’ve decided on your transport style and talked to a few companies, it will be time to start getting quotes. In general, car transport services cost between \$500 and \$2,000, with most people paying between \$1,000 and \$1,500. However, your cost can depend on several factors, beginning with how far your car is going.
Opt for the company that can give you the most detailed and reliable quote. But also make sure to be open to one that offers the best customer service. Geyers Towing has been hauling vehicles down south since 1993. We are a family-owned company, we care about your car and know how special it is when you can take it with you.
Set Your Schedule For Optimal Car Transport
If you’ve settled on a transport company (Geyers), it’s about time to make those travel plans! Going away for the winter and coming back has never been easier, especially when planning ahead for the summer or winter.
Our car transport services run down to Florida twice a week. But, as with any shipping process, the faster you want your car to get there, the more money it will cost. Rush shipping can add several hundred dollars to your quote since the company has to prioritize your delivery in their schedule.
If you want to keep costs down, plan ahead with your vehicle transport company to determine the best schedule for your vehicle delivery. When planning the right way, your vehicle can arrive as soon as your feet hit the sandy beach! Or, if you are heading back home, we’ll have your exotic car back in action as soon as the Maryland snow melts away and the spring flowers bloom.
Ultimate Prep Tips for the Car Hauling Experience
In the days before you drop your car off, you’ll need to prepare it for transport. We know this may seem like a golden opportunity to send some of your things down to Florida without spending extra on a moving truck. But loading your car down with stuff will drive up the transport price since it will be heavier.
Instead, limit yourself to a few suitcases filled with non-fragile materials in the trunk. You may also need to make sure your car’s gas tank is below a quarter of a tank to keep weight down on that front. And it’s a good idea to talk to your insurer about the best way to ensure your car during the transport process.
Drop Off Your Car for Transport
Once your car is prepped for transport, drop your vehicle off at the terminal closest to you. Many snowbird car transport companies have several terminals spread out throughout the region.
Dropping your car off at these terminals allows them to load vehicles in the appropriate order for weight distribution and required schedules.
Depending on your towing company’s payment setup, you may need to pay some or all of your transport fee at drop-off.
It’s Important to sign all the necessary paperwork and get a receipt that will allow you to pick up your car in Florida. Call the Geyers transport company about the exact procedure you should expect at drop off, and the team would be happy to discuss all of your questions and concerns.
Pick Up Your Snowbird Car
After you drop your car off with the transport service, all you have to worry about is sitting back and enjoying your flight down to Florida. Your transport company will give you an estimated delivery date when you can pick up your car. Remember that this date may be a range since unexpected delays can happen on the road.
When your transport company notifies you your car is in town, you can go pick it up from any of their regional terminals. You may also opt to have your vehicle delivered to your front door- Yup, Geyers Towing does make it that easy and is ready to lend you a hand! We are so dedicated that we’ll drop your car off at the front door. No hassle and no worries- just relaxing sunshine.
We Drive Snowbird Cars to Florida
Hiring a car transport service can be a great way to get your car from your summer home to your home in Florida. Look for a company you can trust that provides the transport style you prefer.
If you’d like to discover the best towing services for your car transport, check out the rest of our site at Geyers Towing and Recovery. We are Maryland’s leading 24/7 towing, auto transport, and vehicle recovery service. Request a fast quote from us today and make your next move more accessible.
Still have Questions About Car Transport Services?
Florida is one of the top retiree destinations. However, many people move BEFORE they retire, and opt to go back and forth so they can escape the cold and unenjoyable northern weather during the winter.
Those people are called “snowbirds.” The term has even been around for 100 years! It was first used to refer to seasonal workers who moved south during the winter, but nowadays, it’s commonly used to refer to those retiree tourists who flock to the south.
And it’s an ideal life when you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. But auto transport to Florida can be an annoying detail for many of those snowbirds.
Are you trying to decide whether or not to keep your car out of the harsh winter weather?
Here are the Most Frequently Asked Questions & the Answers
about Snow Bird Car Tranport
Aside from buying a home, vehicle purchases are next in line for the biggest purchases you’ll make during your life. Why leave your precious ride behind to suffer through the North’s harsh winters when you can take it with you to the Sunshine State?
If driving stresses you out, you have nothing to worry about. All you need is a professional, reputable transport service to bring your beloved car down south for you.
The sooner you book your car’s transport to where you escape to during the winter months, the faster you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re that much more prepared for your multiple-month getaway.
That being said, we offer 24/7 service, and you can get a quote for your snowbird reservations all in the same day! Click Here to get a quote or give us a call anytime.
Some people are wary about shipping their car with a transport service. That’s because they don’t want to find their car scratched, dented, or stolen. Those things do happen, but only with unreliable and unprofessional companies.
We offer safe and reliable transportation at your convenience. We’ve mastered our approach and the way we handle our customer’s prized possessions. You can rest easy knowing that your vehicle will arrive safely and on time.
You can probably get away with putting some stuff in the trunk. United States Transportation law says that a carrier can be fined up to $10,000 for hauling household items in a particular vehicle.
While the law is rarely enforced, it’s better not to take the risk. Items that way less than 100 pounds in total (about 2 suitcases) should be ok.
We would never transport a vehicle or anything else without making sure it’s insured first.
Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to inspect your vehicle upon arrival and sign off on its state.
We do our absolute best to make sure your vehicle arrives in the exact same state you saw it last. In the rare case that an accident does happen, we’ll make sure it’s all covered by insurance.
Every reputable transport company should be able to show their clients a Certificate of Insurance.
Don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle. Take the time to clean it out beforehand, including any loose items wherever possible.
It’s rare for anything to be stolen during transport, but it’s always better to take extra precautions. Keep those extra items to a minimum, and if you store anything in the car, keep it light and in the trunk. Try to keep your car at a quarter of a tank of gasoline.
When you give your keys to the auto transporter, provide them with any special instructions, like if your car is hard to start or is difficult to steer.
When you make your snowbird central reservations, you’ll go over costs and payments. Unfortunately, there isn’t one set rate because there are variants to consider, like whether your car will get shipped in an open carrier or an enclosed one.
Things like seasonal fluctuations and the size of your car are factors as well. Keep in mind we will do everything we can to provide you with the best rate possible.
The answer is yes, we do!
And if it’s going to be an unusually heavy or difficult job, don’t worry! We’ll always take the challenge, and we’re well versed in the transport of a variety of vehicles.
There are many companies that offer auto transport to Florida and other snowbird destinations.
But it’s crucial for the cargo you ship and your pockets to choose a company that is reputable. We’ve been around for over 20 years, and there’s almost nothing we can’t ship!
At Geyers Towing and Transport, we ALWAYS put the customer first. We are proud of the prices we offer and the variety of vehicles we can handle and ship.
When you choose Geyers, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting the best pricing. Plus, we take our responsibility to you and your vehicle very seriously, and we do everything in our power to make sure nothing happens to the many different vehicles we transport.
Do you have more questions? You can learn more about our family and us here or give us a call anytime!