Auto Shipping FAQ — Your Questions Answered

**Can I put stuff in my car during shipping?** Technically, most carriers will tolerate up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk, below the window line. But here's what we tell every customer: don't do it. Carriers are federally licensed to transport vehicles, not household goods. Personal items left in the car are not covered by any carrier insurance policy -- period. If a box shifts during transit and cracks your center console trim, that's your problem. If items are stolen at a truck stop, that's your problem. We've seen laptops, golf clubs, designer handbags, car seats, and once even a small safe left in vehicles. None of it was insured.

**What about the glove box and center console?** Clean them out completely. Remove phone chargers, sunglasses, garage door openers, parking passes, toll transponders (E-ZPass, SunPass, TxTag -- you don't want tolls accruing during transport), dashcams, GPS units, CDs, USB drives, and personal documents. If it's not permanently attached to the vehicle, take it out. The driver should have nothing to do except drive your car onto the trailer.

**Can I pack boxes in the back seat of an SUV?** Some carriers allow it, but most won't, and here's why: the weight adds up fast, it raises the vehicle's center of gravity on the trailer, it can shift during braking and damage the interior, and it's a liability the carrier doesn't want. If you need to ship boxes and furniture along with a vehicle, list them as separate shipments on our marketplace -- you'll get better pricing and actual insurance coverage on both.

**Do I need personal insurance to ship my car?** You don't need to purchase separate insurance for standard auto transport. Every licensed carrier is required by federal law to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance. Most also carry cargo insurance ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence. Your vehicle is covered from the moment the carrier takes possession until delivery. That said, for vehicles valued over $100,000, verify the carrier's per-vehicle cargo insurance limit -- if it doesn't cover your vehicle's full value, consider supplemental coverage.

**Does my personal auto insurance cover my car during shipping?** It depends on your policy. Some comprehensive auto insurance policies provide coverage during third-party transport; others exclude it explicitly. Contact your insurance agent before shipping and ask specifically about coverage during carrier transport. The answer varies by insurer and policy type. Even if your personal policy does cover transport, the carrier's insurance is the primary coverage for damage claims.

**What if the carrier damages my car?** Note any new damage on the delivery Bill of Lading before you sign. Photograph the damage immediately. Contact your shipping company within 24 hours. To file a claim, you'll need the pickup and delivery BOL, your pre-shipping photos, photos of the new damage, and a repair estimate from a qualified body shop. Most claims resolve within 30-90 days. This is why thorough pre-shipping documentation is so important -- without clear evidence of the vehicle's condition before shipping, proving that damage is transport-related becomes very difficult.

**Can I ship a non-running vehicle?** Absolutely. Non-running vehicles ship every day -- project cars, barn finds, accident-damaged vehicles, and cars with mechanical issues. The key difference is cost: expect to pay $150-$300 more because the carrier needs a winch or dolly to load and unload your vehicle. You must disclose that the vehicle is inoperable when requesting a quote. If you tell us it runs and it doesn't, the carrier will arrive unable to load it with standard equipment, and you'll face a refused load or an on-the-spot upcharge.

**What about vehicles with modifications?** Lifted trucks, lowered cars, widebody kits, oversized tires, and aftermarket modifications all affect shipping logistics and cost. Lifted trucks over 7 feet tall may not fit on a standard multi-car carrier and require flatbed transport. Lowered vehicles need carriers experienced with low-clearance loading -- ramp angle matters. Widebody vehicles take up more lateral space on the trailer. Always provide accurate dimensions and disclose modifications when booking. A carrier who shows up expecting a stock F-150 and finds a 6-inch lifted, 37-inch-tired monster is going to have a problem.

**Can I ship a vehicle that doesn't have plates or registration?** Yes. The carrier doesn't need your vehicle to be street-legal -- they need it to physically load onto the trailer. Unregistered vehicles, vehicles with expired plates, and recently purchased vehicles without title transfer completion all ship regularly. The Bill of Lading documents the vehicle by VIN, not by registration status.

**What payment methods are accepted?** Deposits are typically paid by credit card at booking ($50-$200 for standard transport). The remaining balance is paid to the carrier at delivery, usually by cashier's check, money order, or cash. Some carriers accept credit cards at delivery, though a convenience fee of 3-5% may apply. Always pay your deposit with a credit card for chargeback protection -- never use wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or other non-reversible payment methods.

**What is the cancellation policy?** Cancellation policies vary by company. At American Auto Shipping, you can cancel before a carrier is dispatched with no penalty. Once a carrier has been assigned and is en route, cancellation fees may apply. Read and understand the cancellation terms before you book -- every legitimate company puts them in writing.

**Do I need to pay the full amount upfront?** No, and be cautious of any company that demands full prepayment. The industry standard is a small deposit at booking with the balance at delivery. This structure protects you because you maintain financial leverage until the service is complete. Companies requesting full prepayment before any service is rendered are a red flag for deposit scams.

**How long does pickup take once I book?** Standard pickup windows are 1-5 business days from your first available date. During peak season (summer, snowbird months), windows can stretch to 5-7 days on high-demand corridors. During low-demand periods (January-February), next-day pickup is possible. The pickup window exists because carriers need to be routed through your area with available space -- they can't teleport.

**How do transit times work?** Transit time is the number of days your vehicle spends on the carrier. Regional moves under 500 miles: 1-3 days. Mid-range 500-1,500 miles: 3-5 days. Cross-country 1,500+ miles: 5-10 days. Total shipping time is pickup window + transit time. Federal Hours of Service regulations limit drivers to 11 hours of driving per day, so carriers cover roughly 400-500 miles daily. Your vehicle shares the trailer with 6-8 others, with multiple stops along the route.

**Can I get a guaranteed delivery date?** Guaranteed service is available at a premium (30-50% more than standard). For standard service, carriers provide estimated delivery windows. We always recommend building a 3-5 day buffer beyond the estimated delivery date to account for weather, traffic, and route variables. If you have a hard deadline, communicate it when booking so we can plan with appropriate buffer.

**How much gas should I leave in the car?** About a quarter tank. The driver needs enough to start the vehicle, drive it onto the trailer, maneuver into position, and drive off at delivery. A quarter tank covers all of that without adding unnecessary weight (a full tank weighs 100-150 lbs). Don't leave it on empty -- the driver shouldn't have to find a gas station to move your car 50 feet.

**Should I wash my car before shipping?** Yes. A clean car makes existing damage visible for both your pre-shipping photos and the driver's Bill of Lading inspection. Dirt and grime can hide scratches, dents, and paint chips. If damage is hidden at pickup and then becomes visible at delivery (because the car gets rained on during transit and some dirt washes off), you could have a dispute about whether the damage is new. A 10-minute car wash prevents this entirely.

**Do I need to disable my car alarm?** Factory alarms that arm/disarm with the key fob are fine -- the driver will have your key. Aftermarket alarm systems with motion sensors, tilt sensors, or impact sensors must be disabled or set to valet mode. Your car will be on a moving trailer, surrounded by other vehicles, parked at truck stops -- every one of these events can trigger a sensitive aftermarket alarm. Disable it before pickup.

**How do I verify a company is legitimate?** Spend 10 minutes on FMCSA.gov. Search by the company's MC number or name. Confirm the license status is "Active -- Authorized," the entity type matches what they claim (broker vs. carrier), and insurance filings are current. Then check Google reviews, BBB rating, and Transport Reviews. A legitimate company is verifiable across all sources. If you can't verify them, don't book with them.

**What's the difference between a broker and a carrier?** A broker coordinates logistics by connecting you with a carrier from their network. A carrier owns the truck and physically moves your vehicle. About 85% of auto shipments go through brokers because no single carrier covers every route. When you book with a broker, a separate carrier company handles the actual transport. Both must be FMCSA-licensed.

**Why are some quotes so much cheaper than others?** Legitimate auto transport costs are based on real expenses: fuel, driver pay, insurance, and equipment. These costs don't vary drastically between companies. If one quote is 25-30% below the rest, it's likely a bait-and-switch -- the company will raise the price after you've paid a deposit. Ask if the quote is binding. Compare 3-4 quotes from different companies and look for the cluster in the middle, not the outlier at the bottom.

**Can I ship a vehicle to or from Hawaii or Alaska?** Yes, but it requires a combination of land and sea transport. Vehicles are trucked to a port (typically in California for Hawaii, or Washington/California for Alaska), loaded onto a cargo ship, and then transported to the destination. Costs are higher due to the ocean freight component: Hawaii shipping typically runs $1,500-$2,500; Alaska runs $2,000-$4,000 depending on the specific destination. Transit times are 2-4 weeks including the ocean crossing.

**Can I ship a leased vehicle?** Yes, but check your lease agreement first. Most leases allow you to relocate the vehicle, but some have mileage or geographic restrictions. You may need written authorization from the leasing company. The vehicle will be shipped like any other -- the process is the same regardless of ownership structure.

**What if I'm buying a car from a private seller across the country?** This is one of the most common reasons people ship vehicles. You can arrange transport before or after the purchase. Many buyers arrange shipping, pay a deposit, and have the carrier pick up directly from the seller's location. The seller needs to be available for the pickup inspection and BOL signature. Alternatively, the seller can deliver to a nearby carrier terminal for terminal-to-terminal service.

**Can I track my vehicle during shipping?** Most carriers provide updates during transit, and your broker should relay this information. Some carriers offer GPS tracking -- ask about it when booking. At a minimum, you'll receive notice when the carrier is dispatched, a call 12-24 hours before pickup, and a call 12-24 hours before delivery. Between those touchpoints, you can call your broker for a status update.

**What happens if there's bad weather during transit?** Professional carriers monitor weather closely and will delay travel rather than push through dangerous conditions. This is exactly what you want -- a delayed vehicle is better than a damaged vehicle or an accident. Most weather delays add 1-2 days to transit time. Major events (hurricanes, multi-day blizzards) can cause longer delays but are rare. The carrier should communicate any weather-related delays proactively.

**Is my vehicle locked during transit?** Yes. Once loaded, your vehicle is locked and secured on the carrier trailer. The driver has your key (stored in a lockbox or key pouch) but doesn't need to access your vehicle during transit unless there's an emergency (like needing to reposition for weight distribution). The vehicle stays on the trailer until the delivery point.

**How much does it cost to ship a car in 2026?** Standard sedan, open transport: $400-$700 for regional moves under 500 miles, $700-$1,000 for mid-range routes around 1,000 miles, $1,000-$1,500 for cross-country. Enclosed adds 40-60%. SUVs and trucks add 10-20%. These are broad ranges -- your actual quote depends on the specific route, vehicle, season, and current carrier demand.

**Why is summer more expensive than winter?** Supply and demand. Summer is peak season: families relocating, college students moving, military PCS orders, and vacation vehicle deliveries all spike simultaneously. More shippers competing for the same number of carriers drives prices up 15-25%. January and February are typically the cheapest months -- demand drops, carriers need loads, and pricing is most competitive.

**Are there hidden fees I should know about?** With a reputable company offering binding quotes, there should be no hidden fees. The price you're quoted is the price you pay. Common additional costs that should be disclosed upfront include: inoperable vehicle surcharge ($150-$300), expedited service premium (30-50% more), enclosed transport premium (40-60% more), and rural location surcharges. Ask specifically about any potential additional charges before booking.