Sometimes driving just won't work. Perhaps you don't want to make the big cross-country trip with the kids in the back. Or you'd like to try train travel. Or you need to be at your new home quickly and only flying will get you there on time. Whatever the situation, there are many times when it makes good sense to have one or more of your vehicles moved professionally.
Shipping a vehicle with a commercial carrier and carrying household goods in your own vehicle are two different decisions. This page is about hiring a carrier to transport a car. If you're instead thinking about driving your car yourself as part of a partial PPM, see carrying household goods in your own vehicle — the eligibility and payment rules are different, and a convenience choice to ship a car is not itself entitlement authority.
It's important to understand your options when it comes to automobile transport. Two main options exist: open transport or enclosed transport.
Open transport places your vehicle on a trailer without protection from the elements and within plain view — think of new cars on their way to a dealership. This is the most cost-effective option, and often a perfectly reasonable one: driving the car yourself wouldn't protect it from the elements either.
Enclosed transport fully encloses your vehicle in a trailer, protecting it from the elements and from view. It costs more, and owners of expensive, rare, or otherwise prized vehicles often consider it worth the difference — compare actual quotes and coverage rather than assuming one option is always right for your vehicle.
Before you hire a carrier, ask your transportation office whether vehicle shipment is authorized for your circumstances and how any payment would be calculated. Do not assume an ordinary mileage allowance will pay for a vehicle you choose to ship — get the actual answer in writing rather than guessing. Then compare at least a few licensed, insured carriers: the actual carrier name, pickup and delivery terms, open or enclosed transport, coverage and exclusions, and inspection records. You can verify a carrier's operating authority and safety record through the FMCSA.
Helpful Hints
- Remove all personal items from the vehicle prior to pickup. Carriers commonly restrict what can be left inside and won't accept responsibility for it during transport — ask your specific carrier what their policy is.
- Do a careful walkaround of your vehicle with the driver at both pickup and dropoff.
- Look over the Bill of Lading and make sure you understand what you're signing.
- Disable your car alarm before loading. The driver needs to be able to move your vehicle in your absence.
- Wash your car thoroughly and document its condition prior to loading. Photos are an excellent record of its pre-loading condition.
- Confirm the authorized payment basis with your transportation office before you book, not after — see the note above.