--- title: Car shipping FAQ - **everything** you need to know meta_title: "Car Shipping FAQ | CarShippers.ai" description: "Direct answers about car shipping costs, timelines, insurance, open vs enclosed transport, and booking with CarShippers.ai." publisher: Carshippers AI language: en-US og_title: "Car Shipping FAQ | CarShippers.ai" og_description: "Direct answers about car shipping costs, timelines, insurance, open vs enclosed transport, and booking with CarShippers.ai." og_type: website og_url: "https://www.carshippers.ai/faq" twitter_card: summary_large_image twitter_title: "Car Shipping FAQ | CarShippers.ai" twitter_description: "Direct answers about car shipping costs, timelines, insurance, open vs enclosed transport, and booking with CarShippers.ai." canonical: https://www.carshippers.ai/faq format: agent-markdown source: static generated: 2026-08-21T18:57:40.265Z breadcrumbs: Home > FAQ --- breadcrumbs: Home > FAQ # Car shipping FAQ - **everything** you need to know > Direct answers from our shipping specialists. No hedging, no fluff. *HELP CENTER* (image url: https://cdn.carshippers.ai/car-shippers-ai-website/images/page-faq-hero.webp) ## Pricing & Costs ### How much does it cost to ship a car? Car shipping costs between $400 and $1,800 for most domestic US routes. The average for a standard sedan on open transport is around $950. Distance, vehicle size, transport type, and seasonal demand are the main drivers. ### What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Open transport on a flexible pickup window booked 3-4 weeks in advance. January and February are the lowest-demand months. ### How is price calculated? Price is a function of route distance, vehicle size and weight, transport type (open vs enclosed), and current carrier supply on that lane. Our AI matches you to the lowest available carrier in real time. ### Does vehicle size affect price? Yes. A full-size truck or SUV costs 15-30% more than a standard sedan on the same route because it takes more carrier space. ### Are there hidden fees? No. CarShippers.ai shows all fees in the quote before you book. The quoted price is the price paid. ### Does it cost more in summer? Yes. June through August is peak season - demand drives prices 15-25% above average. Book 3-4 weeks early. ### How much does enclosed cost? Enclosed transport costs 30-50% more than open. For most routes: $700-$1,200 short haul, $1,500-$2,500 coast-to-coast. ## Timing & Process ### How long does shipping take? Transit time depends on distance: 1-3 days under 500 mi, 4-6 days for 500-1,500 mi, 7-10 days for cross-country routes. We show estimated transit on every quote. ### How far ahead should I book? Book 3-4 weeks ahead for the best price and pickup window. Last-minute bookings (under 3 days) typically pay a 20-40% premium. ### What happens after I submit a quote? Within 30 minutes a shipping specialist verifies the carrier match and locks the price for 7 days. You then confirm online and we dispatch. ### How does pickup work? Door-to-door in nearly all locations. The driver calls 24 hours before pickup with an arrival window. We send them as close to your address as is safe and legal for a 75-foot truck. ### What is a Bill of Lading? The BOL is the legal document signed at pickup and delivery that records vehicle condition. Inspect carefully and note any damage before signing. ### Can I track during shipping? Yes. Real-time GPS tracking via your dashboard from the moment your car is loaded until delivery. ### What if my car is delayed? We monitor every shipment. If a carrier hits an issue we proactively rebook or compensate per your booking terms. ## Safety & Insurance ### Is car shipping safe? Yes. We only dispatch FMCSA-licensed, insured carriers vetted against a 47-point operator scorecard. Damage rates are well under 1% across our network. ### What insurance covers my car? Every shipment is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance (typically $100,000-$250,000 per vehicle). Top-up coverage is available for high-value vehicles. ### What if my car is damaged? Document damage on the Bill of Lading at delivery before signing, photograph it, and notify us within 24 hours. We file the claim with the carrier insurance on your behalf. ### How do I document my car before pickup? Take timestamped photos from all four corners plus close-ups of any existing scratches or dents. The driver does a parallel inspection on the BOL. ### What is cargo insurance? Insurance carried by the trucking company covering damage to vehicles in their care, custody, and control during transit. ### Are all carriers insured? Yes. We never dispatch a carrier without a current insurance certificate on file. We re-verify every 30 days. ## Transport Types ### What is open transport? An open multi-car carrier, the standard for moving most vehicles. Cheapest option, fully insured, but exposed to weather. ### What is enclosed transport? A fully covered trailer, used for luxury, classic, exotic, EV, or high-value vehicles. 30-50% more than open. ### What is door-to-door shipping? Pickup and delivery as close to your address as the truck can safely reach. Default for nearly all routes on our platform. ### What is terminal shipping? An older model where you drop off and pick up at depots. We don't typically use this - door-to-door is faster and easier. ### What is expedited shipping? Guaranteed pickup within 1-2 days at a premium rate. Available on most lanes for time-sensitive moves. ### Can I ship a non-running car? Yes. We have carriers with winches and forklifts. Add 'inoperable' on the quote - the surcharge is typically $150-$300. ### Can I ship an EV or motorcycle? Yes. EVs ship the same as ICE vehicles. Motorcycles use specialised crating or open trailers depending on volume. ## Preparing Your Car ### How do I prepare my car? Wash it (so damage is visible), keep the fuel tank 1⁄4 full, remove personal items, disable toll tags and alarms, and document existing damage with photos. ### Can I leave personal items? Up to 100 lbs of soft items in the trunk only. Carriers are not licensed to transport household goods and items above the limit are not covered by cargo insurance. ### How much fuel should be in the tank? Roughly 1⁄4 tank. Enough to drive on and off the trailer without adding unnecessary weight. ### Should I clean it first? Yes - a clean car makes the pre-pickup inspection accurate, which protects your damage claim if anything happens in transit. ### Do I need to be present at pickup? Either you or an authorised representative (18+) needs to be there to sign the BOL. ### What modifications should I report? Lift kits, lowered suspension, roof racks, oversized tires, and any non-stock dimensions. Affects clearance and trailer fit. ## Dealer & Business ### Do you offer dealer pricing? Yes. Tiered volume rate cards based on monthly units. Custom contracts available at 100+ units/month. ### Can dealers batch-book? Yes. Upload a CSV or paste a VIN list. Quotes return in seconds, dispatch happens in parallel. ### How does Manheim pickup work? We integrate directly with Manheim, Copart, IAA, and ADESA. Submit gate pass -> we dispatch within hours. ### Do you integrate with DMS? Yes. Native integrations with the major DMS and TMS platforms, plus REST API and webhooks for custom workflows. ### How does invoicing work for business accounts? Net 30 terms, monthly consolidated billing, dedicated AP contact, and per-PO line items. ### Can we get a dedicated account manager? Yes - every business account gets a named AM from day one. ## Military & Specialist ### Do you offer military discounts? Yes. Active-duty, reserves, and veterans receive a standing 10% discount with valid ID. PCS shipments are eligible for additional flexibility. ### Can you deliver to base? Yes. We coordinate with base gate staff for pickup and delivery on most installations. ### How does PCS shipping work? Get a quote with your orders, lock the rate in advance, schedule around your move date. We handle changes if your timeline shifts. ### Can you ship to Hawaii or Alaska? Yes via port consolidation in CA/WA. Allow 14-28 days door-to-door including ocean transit. ### What is the process for shipping a luxury car? Enclosed trailer, soft tie-downs, two-driver verification at pickup and delivery. Often a single-vehicle dispatch for collector pieces. ### Can you ship to auto shows? Yes. Climate-controlled enclosed trailers with timed delivery windows for show staging. ## About CarShippers.ai ### Is CarShippers.ai a broker or carrier? We are a licensed transportation broker. We arrange transport with vetted independent carriers; we do not operate the trucks ourselves. ### How does AI carrier matching work? Our system continuously scores every carrier on price, capacity, lane preference, on-time history, and damage record. It surfaces the best match for your route in real time. ### What carriers do you use? 10,000+ vetted FMCSA-licensed US carriers. Each runs through our 47-point operator scorecard before joining the network. ### How do you vet carriers? FMCSA license check, insurance certificate, safety scores, customer feedback history, and a 30-day re-verification cycle. ### Are you licensed and bonded? Yes. 1624892, 4208679, BMC-84 surety bond on file with the FMCSA. ### What is your MC/DOT number? MC #1624892 (fmcsa-mc-number: FMCSA licensed auto transport broker authority MC #1624892) | USDOT #4208679 (fmcsa-dot-number: FMCSA US Department of Transportation number USDOT #4208679) - displayed in the site footer and on every quote. ## Sitemap See the full [markdown sitemap](/sitemap.md) (all pages) and [XML sitemap](/sitemap.xml) (search engines).