FAQs | Carnections Auto Transport

Q: Can I pack items inside my vehicle during the transportation?

This is a situation in which the law says “no”, but since it’s such a common request and there’s no harm to it, we are mostly okay with it. The license given to carriers by the FMSCA does not permit the transportation of items inside the vehicles besides the items commonly found in vehicles, e.g., a car seat, radio, spare tire, registration papers, etc. For this reason, neither Carnections nor the carrier we assign to ship your vehicle can nor will be held responsible for loss, theft or damage of anything inside your vehicle. So you put items inside your vehicle at your own risk. The vehicle itself is covered for loss and damage, but goods inside it are not. Because carriers aren’t legally allowed to carry items inside your vehicle during the transport, they risk a hefty fine for doing so. Carriers also try to keep the total cargo weight to a minimum to save on gas. For these two reasons, we leave it to the individual driver’s discretion as to whether they will allow items inside your vehicle and any fee for doing so. In our experience, drivers are usually okay with less than 150 lbs kept to the rear or trunk of your vehicle and they will usually not charge you any additional fee. If they do charge anything it will be around $100-$200. However, if you pack your vehicle full of goods and if it weighs much more than 150lbs, the fee can go higher. We’ve seen charges as high as $250-$400. The carrier is also more likely to refuse to transport your vehicle. If items are inside your vehicle, please inform the driver and work out the exact fee (if any) before he loads it onto his truck. Also keep in mind that the fees are usually negotiable. If you fail to inform the driver of goods inside your vehicle, you may be faced with a large unexpected charge at delivery.

Q: What’s an Open Carrier? What’s an Enclosed Carrier?

Both are semi trucks that transport vehicles. An open carrier is the most common and the most economical. They vary in size; some can only fit 3 cars while some can fit up to 10 cars. The vehicles on the truck are exposed to the elements because they are not covered or enclosed. It’s nothing to worry about, though, because damage is rare. Enclosed carriers are rarer and more expensive, but they are a good choice for classic, restored, and high-performance vehicles. Enclosed carriers completely enclose the vehicles they transport. They vary in size, from 1 to 4 cars. For more information on both types of carriers, see our services page.

Q: What if I am not available when the carrier arrives?

The pick-up/delivery will be rescheduled, and you may be subject to a $200 rescheduling fee. It’s easier on everyone involved if we don’t need to reschedule, so try to have somebody available at both pick-up and delivery during the time estimates given to you by your Carnections’ dispatcher or driver. If you can’t be available yourself, have a family member, friend, or somebody else whom you trust, be available. The person(s) whom you designate to consign or receive your vehicle needs to be an adult and should be somebody who you trust. They will be responsible for doing the vehicle inspection, signing the BOL, and paying the driver. Also, don’t take off work or sit at home waiting for the driver until you get a firm time estimate from him/her. Sometimes drivers get delayed and we don’t want you to have to miss work or waste your time for nothing. Contact us at 800-909-2330 if no one is available at pick-up or delivery! WE CAN SEE IF SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE!

Q: Where will my vehicle be picked-up? Where will it be delivered?

Carnections exclusively offers door-to-door service. We pick up your vehicle and drop it off as close to the addresses you specify as is physically possible. Our auto transport rigs are large, so they won’t fit into residential zones or onto other small streets, but we can usually get within 1-5 miles of wherever you specify. Common meeting locations are shopping malls, grocery stores, vacant lots, and large streets. For more information on door-to-door car shipping, see our services page.

Q: What if my vehicle is damaged or inoperable prior to shipping?

An “inoperable” or “non-functioning” vehicle is one that doesn’t start or drive with its own power. If your vehicle is inoperable it can still be transported . It only needs to be able to roll, steer, and have working brakes. There is an “INOP” fee (usually $150-$200) for loading and unloading since non-functioning vehicles require a winch to load and unload them on and off the car hauler. For more information requiring inoperable vehicles, see our services page. Almost all cars have some minor damage, e.g. scuffs, dents, scratches, dings, etc. Minor damage to your vehicle is perfectly okay. It will be recorded on the BOL (see “What should I do if my vehicle is damaged?” section below) when your vehicle is being picked up. Your vehicle will be covered by the carrier's insurance during transport for damage and loss. Major damage is another story. If your vehicle is wrecked, salvaged, or otherwise majorly damaged, it will only be covered for loss. If you’re not sure if your vehicle’s condition permits it to be covered for damage, give us a call. We’ll probably need to see the car ourselves, so be prepared to email or text us some pictures of it.

Q: Is there anything I need to do to my car to prepare for transport?

Yes. Check out our Auto Transport Checklist . The first few items in the list detail the preparations you should perform prior to having your vehicle shipped.