Enclosed Auto Transport – How It Works & Much It Costs

Usual auto transport is rather easy, especially when moving 2nd or 3rd time. But when it comes to shipping high-end cars the process becomes a bit complicated. Here you’ll find info that simplifies enclosed auto transport of luxury and exotic cars.

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Are you thinking of relocating or moving your automobile across state lines but don’t know where to start, get a quotation, or how auto transport works? Moving your vehicles can be overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with how auto transport works.

But not to worry, this article has compiled a wealth of information on the processes involved in auto transport. Moving your vehicle can be done in two ways: using an open trailer or an enclosed auto transport.

Are you a dealer of exotic cars worried about possible dangers that could occur using open transportation? In that case, choose one of the best-enclosed auto transport and it will be the best option for you. Let’s get started!

How enclosed auto transportation works

Open vs. enclosed auto transport

Enclosed car transport rates: how much it costs

How to compare enclosed auto transport quotes

Insurance and Bill of lading for enclosed vehicle transport

FAQ

How Enclosed Auto Transport Works

Enclosed vehicle transport or enclosed car shipping is a type of auto transport that provides extra safety and protection for vehicles. It is mostly used when shipping luxury or exotic cars. The process is quite simple.

First, you need to find a trusted and reputable auto shipping company and request a quote. Once you have found a company that offers the best-enclosed car shipping services. The next thing is to schedule a pickup date and time to get your vehicle in transit as soon as possible.

Most shipping companies request at least 24 hours’ notice before scheduling. On the scheduled date for pick up, the driver will arrive at your location to perform an inspection. This is to determine your vehicle’s condition before loading it onto the trailer or truck. Before the driver takes off, you will be given a tracking number to keep track of your shipment and know its location per time.

Upon arrival, the driver unloads and brings your vehicle to you. Do well to inspect it to make sure it sustained no damage in transit.

When the driver arrives, he unloads and brings your vehicle to you. Make sure it was not damaged in transit.

Open vs. Enclosed Auto Transport

While searching for a reputable vehicle shipping service, you will most likely have to pick between two options: open car shipping or enclosed vehicle transport. But before you make a decision, you must first understand the pros and cons of automobile transport options.

Below are the differences between open and enclosed auto transport so you can choose the best one based on your vehicle and transportation needs.

What is Open Auto Transport?

Open auto transport is a common method of shipping vehicles in a truck of between 75 and 80 feet in length. This type of truck hauls a low-level trailer with a row containing cars on the top and a shorter row of cars beneath. There are no exterior coverings on the truck, exposing the vehicle to weather elements.

This shipping style can accommodate between 7 to 10 vehicles depending on the size and weight of the vehicles. Below are the pros and cons of open auto transport.

PROS:

Least expensive and faster auto transport option

Fuel-efficient

It has more available transport options making

It is flexible, meaning you can book your preferred shipping date and time.

CONS:

This technique exposes vehicles to harsh weather elements and substances like sun, rain, snow, dust, rocks, etc.

What is Enclosed Auto Transport?

Enclosed auto transport is another method used for shipping vehicles that need extra protection and safety inside a fully enclosed trailer. This shipping style is typically used for moving luxury or exotic cars. Enclosed carriers are smaller and can’t accommodate more than seven vehicles at a time.

It is faster when compared to open auto transport. However, there are limited enclosed auto transport options in transit making them harder to book and more expensive than open auto transport. Below are the pros and cons of enclosed auto transport.

PROS:

It protects your vehicle from harsh weather elements and road debris

It affords peace of mind, especially when shipping expensive cars because enclosed auto transporters are more experienced in handling high-end vehicles

This transport method provides extra security and protection for your vehicle in transit

CONS:

Less fuel-efficient, and more expensive than open auto transport

Car shipping can take a long time because few people use this shipping style

open auto transport and enclosed auto transport, consider the type and value of the vehicle. If you have a luxury, classic or exotic vehicle, you will probably want to take caution and use a fully enclosed trailer to transport your vehicle.

Whereas, if you have a used or older model vehicle, then open auto transport can serve.

Enclosed Car Transport Rates
How Much It Costs

In dealing with enclosed auto transport, it’s important to understand both its cost and the factors affecting it. The first thing to note is that, on average, the cost of enclosed car transport is about $2 per mile. This is almost twice the cost of open transport costs.

Here are 10 examples of average enclosed car shipping rates across states:

1. New York to Florida – $1,100 to $1,400

2. California to Texas – $1,300 to $1,600

3. Illinois to California – $1,400 to $1,800

4. Georgia to California – $1,500 to $1,900

5. Colorado to New York – $1,600 to $2,000

6. Virginia to California – $1,700 to $2,100

7. Texas to New York – $1,800 to $2,200

8. Florida to California – $1,900 to $2,400

9. Arizona to New York – $2,000 to $2,500

10. Oregon to Florida – $2,200 to $2,800

These are just examples of average rates and your specific situation may differ. I would recommend reaching out to a few different car shipping companies to get a quote tailored to your needs.

Moreover, many other factors can shape the cost of enclosed auto transport including:

Factors that shape cost of enclosed auto transport

#1. Weather
There are several reliable sites you can get shipping quotes from online, all you need to do is make a reIf you choose to transport your vehicle to certain areas of the country experiencing harsh weather conditions, the shipping costs may go up. This is because transporting the vehicle may require more security and safety measures due to the heightened risk.
One of these risks is low visibility during winter, which makes it difficult for trailer drivers to navigate highways, making it more dangerous and expensive to insure.

#2. Location
Another factor that can hike transportation costs is location, as shipping to and from urban areas is always cheaper than shipping to rural areas. If you live in a remote area or on a mountain top, you may have to pay higher when shipping your vehicle especially if it’s door-to-door shipping.
However, you can cut costs by shipping to a terminal instead of opting for door-to-door service.

#3. Extra Features
Extra features like insurance, home delivery, and single car shipping (in a situation where you decide to ship only your vehicle in the truck) can increase transportation costs.

How to Compare Enclosed Auto Transport Quotes

Shipping cars are often a nerve-racking experience for the shipper because of the possibility of damage or even accidents. So as a client, ensure you look out for the factors below before choosing an auto transport option.

#1. Company’s Reputation
Car owners want to entrust their vehicle(s) to the hands of a company with an industry reputation.

#2. Company’s Experience
The company’s experience is a major pointer to the company’s reliability because many companies fail within the first two years. So, it is advisable to go for a company with at least 10 years of industry experience.

#3. Customer Service
Great customer reviews are a major indicator of a successful shipping process. Most car shipping companies with exceptional customer service have high ratings from Trust pilot, Google Reviews, Better Business Bureau(BBB), and more.
The average review rating for enclosed auto transport companies is 4.6 out of 5 stars, so choose a company with that high score and above.

#4. Insurance
Liability insurance offers full coverage against accidents and potential losses during transit and is a basic requirement of law for enclosed auto transport.

To get an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, use our user-friendly auto transport calculator below. Simply input your details to receive a customized quote that reflects the true value of our premium service.

Now that you’ve calculated the cost, the following section will guide you through the importance of insurance and the bill of lading in ensuring the safety and security of your enclosed vehicle transport.

Insurance For Enclosed Vehicle Transport

There are two types of auto transport companies, namely brokers and carriers. Carriers are companies that own their fleet of trucks, while brokers are companies that don’t own their trucks.

Instead, they bid your shipment with carriers, serving as middlemen between the shipper and carriers.

Overall, it’s important to get insurance coverage when shipping your vehicle, to minimize the risk. Else, you might lose your investments. There are many insurance options to pick from, so do research and read the fine print before committing to one.

Why Do You Need Insurance Coverage For Enclosed Auto Shipping?

Before diving into the best insurance coverage for enclosed auto shipping, you need to first understand the need for insurance. Your car is an asset, and any damage that occurs in transit can incur more expenses for you.

That is why you need insurance coverage to protect your vehicle against potential loss. Transport companies usually offer these shipping insurance services.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is the best insurance policy. It protects your vehicle against possible damages like collision, fire, or vandalism and offers maximum security and protection against theft. The cost of this insurance may vary, as it is the auto transport company you choose that determines the terms and coverage amount.

What will be covered?

Most auto transport companies have cargo and liability insurance covering all types of transit-related damages. However, bear in mind that the coverage only protects the car and not the things within it. So, you should take out personal items before shipping.

Bill of Lading For Enclosed Vehicle Transport

9 Enclosed Auto Transport - How It Works & Much It Costs 99

A bill of lading is an essential document in the vehicle transportation process. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, and exotic or classic vehicles all need a bill of lading when hauling. But, what is a bill of lading? What does it do? What details must it contain? If it’s your first time shipping a vehicle, this terminology may sound strange to you. Nonetheless, let’s dive in and learn what a bill of lading is and why it’s so important.

What is a Bill of Lading?

A bill of lading (often referred to as B.O.L) is an important legal contract between you and the auto transport company.

It is prepared by the auto transport company and it specifies important information about the vehicle in shipment such as the vehicle model, where it is being transported to and from, and who is transporting it.

You and the driver transporting your vehicles must have a copy before shipment. The bill of lading serves as a record-keeping document that is requested before your vehicle is turned over to the transportation company at the other end of the journey.

The insurance company will also need this document in case there is a claim, arising from a vehicle shipment.

What Information Needs to be on a Bill of Lading?

There is six important detailed information that must appear on the bill of lading, and these include:

#1. Shipping Company and Driver Details
The top of every bill of lading should contain information about the transport company that is handling the shipment. These include the company’s name, emergency contact number, business address, the motor carrier ID number of the carrier, and details of the driver hauling the shipment.
If an emergency occurs and the shipment is transferred to another carrier in transit, this information must also be updated on the bill of lading.

#2. Pickup and Delivery Information
Every B.O.L should also state the estimated date and time of delivery as well as the location of pick up. It should also contain the contact phone number of the shipper to facilitate delivery on the other end of the transport.

#3. General Vehicle Information
The B.O.L should contain information about the vehicle being shipped(car, truck, SUV, etc.) as well as the make, year, model, license number plate, color, and vehicle identification number. This is to avoid confusion in case there is a second vehicle with an identical color, make, and model on board.

#4. Vehicle Condition
Before shipment, you and the transport driver should inspect and note the condition of the vehicle, documenting any physical damage such as dents and scratches. In like manner, this same inspection should be performed at the other end of the transport, and damages noted, on the BOL.
This is to protect you from potential damage incurred in transit and is also required for insurance claims.

#5. Payment Information, Terms, and Conditions
The BOL should contain payment information such as the mode of payment used, initial deposits or advance payments made, and other terms and conditions of the transport.

#6. Signature
This is the final and most important step. Once the terms and conditions have been agreed upon, the vehicle owner and the driver must sign off on the BOL before the vehicle can be shipped.

In summary, if you are looking for the best auto transport method to ship your exotic cars, enclosed auto transport offers the best safety, security, and an attractive package of vehicle transportation services. Shipping companies take extra measures in offering these services to ensure the safe landing of the vehicles to their destination at the best status.

FAQ

How much will my car shipping cost exactly?

We recommend contacting our car shipping professionals for a specific quote, based on all the necessary details provided.

What kind of vehicle do we transport?

We transport all vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Contact us to discuss shipping your vehicle and get a unique quote for your specific needs

How do I get a shipping quote for my vehicle?

We offer customers a convenient online instant auto transport quote calculator or you can as well speak with one of our car shipping professionals to guide you through the process. You just have to provide the pickup and delivery locations, the vehicle makes, model, and pick-up dates.