Auto shipping companies give you two options when transporting your car across the country. First, you can ship your vehicle using an open trailer method, which is a very safe and secure means of transportation. The other alternative is to use enclosed auto transport.

Enclosed shipping is growing more popular, with thousands of automobiles being transported yearly in the United States. Enclosed auto transport offers extra protection for your car, convertibles, and motorcycles if you’re worried about the safety of your vehicle during transit.

However, many people asked questions regarding the price tag. Enclosed shipping typically costs around 30% more than open shipping. Here, we’ll examine enclosed car shipping, why you should choose it, and whether it is worth the cost.

What is enclosed auto shipping?

Enclosed auto shipping means transporting your car in a securely enclosed box-style trailer rather than the common open shipping method. Enclosed auto transport ensures maximum protection of your car. Your vehicle will be protected from all road hazards, outside elements, and unexpected weather events when shipped via enclosed transport. Your vehicle might be shipped in a container alone or with several other cars, depending on the trailer size.

What type of cars should go enclosed?

Enclosed auto shipping is the method of choice for owners of antique, luxury, custom, classic, expensive, or high-value cars. In fact, any car worth more than $50,000 should be transported via an enclosed carrier because these are high-end and high-maintenance automobiles whose owners have invested substantial amounts.

They must be protected at all times, including while being shipped. Car owners must choose this method for transporting their antique and luxury cars because it provides the highest protection and security. While the cost is higher, no price is too high to pay for total peace of mind.

When should you use enclosed auto shipping?

Your car will be moved in an enclosed trailer when you choose enclosed shipping. The trailer provides a safe and secure environment for your vehicle. If you’re still undecided as to whether enclosed auto transport is suitable for you, ask yourself these questions:
  1. Is your car old?
  2. Do you consider your car a classic?
  3. Does cold or snow weather concern you?
  4. Do you consider your car an investment?
  5. Does your vehicle have a unique or custom paint job?
  6. Do you want extra protection from theft?
  7. Are you worried about your car being exposed to pollution, dust, dirt, and other outside elements?

Enclosed shipping might be the right choice if you can answer yes to any of these questions.

How much does enclosed shipping cost?

The cost of shipping your car via the enclosed auto transport method can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on several factors. The easiest way to find out how much it will cost to ship a car through enclosed auto transport is to get a quote from a shipping company. There’s no obligation, so getting a shipping quote is free. However, several factors will influence the quote you will get, which include:

Distance and location

Distance is one of the most important factors determining your enclosed auto-shipping quote. Generally, the farther the car travels, the higher the shipping cost. Aside from overall distance, the pickup and drop-off locations can significantly drive up transport costs. This is especially true if you live in more remote areas or aren’t easily accessible by a large transport trailer.

Vehicle weight and size

What type of car do you own? Is it small or large? The bigger your car, the more space it takes. Carriers charge more for shipping larger cars than for smaller cars. Smaller vehicles may bring shipping costs down. A 50 ft. long truck can hold three to five vehicles, depending on the cars’ size. Transporting a large car means moving fewer cars.

Delivery preference

You can save money if you’re flexible with pickup and delivery dates. The more time you give your auto shipping company, the more chance they have to save you money. If you need immediate shipment, the price will be higher because you’re giving the company limited time to prepare for your shipping. When this happens, your carrier will ask for more for enclosed auto transport.

Insurance

Auto transport companies typically offer basic insurance coverage. However, this basic coverage may not match the actual value of your car in some cases. Therefore, you need to ask questions to understand the covered damage clearly. For example, what are the insurance limitations, and ask whether there are any deductibles. In the end, you might want to purchase additional coverage that will guarantee adequate protection for your car while in transit. Inevitably, the cost of that extra coverage will influence your car shipping quote.

Time of year

Believe it or not, moving during different times of the year can impact your enclosed shipping quote. There’s a season when auto-shipping companies are busier. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons. Also, vehicle transportation costs increase in winter due to dangerous road conditions; February and March tend to be slow, as the holidays are finished, so you may be able to get an excellent rate. While you may not see a drastic difference between the summer and winter rates, seasons will affect the price.

Is enclosed shipping worth it?

The extra protection offered by enclosed shipping comes with higher costs. However, paying a bit more is worthwhile for owners of exotic cars, luxury vehicles, cars with low ground clearance, and vehicles that are investments and collectibles. Companies typically provide more insurance coverage for enclosed car shipping than open car shipping services. This gives more peace of mind.

Move your car using Enclosed Shipping with Ghost Pepper Logistics

Ghost Pepper Logistics Inc. has everything you need if you’re looking for enclosed auto transport companies. We put you in control to make your auto shipping stress-free and easy. You’ll be delighted when you ship your car with us, from our expert car shipping services and excellent customer service to affordable pricing.

Contact us today to request a quote.