Shipping your car is an easy way of transporting it from point A to point B, should you want to take your vehicle with you to your destination. But when it comes to getting everything ready, there’s always a typical question that comes to mind: Can I ship my personal belongings in the car?
We know how useful it is to transport your things in your car during shipment while you fly to your destination. This may keep you from having to pack or carry your belongings based on airline’s policies or any other travel regulations. However, is it actually legal to transport your personal belongings in your car during auto-transport? It’s time to answer that question!
Per the DOT’s regulations, no vehicle being involved in the car shipping process may contain any personal items.
That being said, most auto-transport companies have their preferences on what they will allow and require some stipulations for doing this. While this varies from auto transport company to auto transport company, most of the requirements revolve around a few key points. But before we get to know them, there are several factors that affect what you can and cannot put into your car. Let’s find them out!
Remember that when you ship your car, it will be loaded into a hauler that will contain other vehicles. A hauler holds up to 9 cars approximately, which is quite a lot of weight for the carriage. If the weight exceeds the amount allowed, then the carrier may get fined for driving an overweight trailer. Because of this, some carriers will stick to the DOT rule and refuse to allow any personal goods inside the vehicle. However, many carriers will offer the option of having up to 100 pounds of personal items. Every so often, a carrier will be willing to accommodate a heavier amount of goods, but be prepared to potentially pay hundreds more for the extra weight.
A car being auto transported into a hauler isn’t the same as driving a car. That means, movements in the carrier are going to be stronger, whether they are vibrations or shifts. That’s why transporting things that are too heavy, not well packed or in hard-made materials, can damage the inside areas of your vehicle due to excessive movements along the road. And, the worst part of it is that even though you are insured during the shipment by the carrier’s cargo insurance, during the shipment, any damage caused by your personal items will not be covered by either your broker or your carrier.
Whether it’s a short or long-distance journey, your driver can take multiple breaks to rest or any other reason that allows him to stop driving for a while. That results in leaving the truck alone, which means leaving your vehicle alone as well. Although there are few chances that thieves actually come to the hauler and take things out of the cars, let’s be honest, that is a potential risk that can happen at any time, anywhere. There are higher chances that noticeable or valuable items are taken away, leading to a loss of your belongings, as well as damage to your own car.
As you’ve seen along the reading, there are chances that your personal items or your vehicle can result in damage due to shipment of your own belongings. Therefore, there are a few things you can do in order to prevent it and ship what’s necessary. If a carrier agrees to let you pack 100 pounds of items:
Saving extra space when moving is incredibly useful, and having the chance of shipping your car with personal objects in it couldn't be more helpful. As long as your items match the shipping requirements, you will be able to receive them right at your new destination in good condition.
However, weight limitations probably won't let you pack everything you want to, and the chances of risk will be still there in relation to any potential damage or even a theft. Sometimes you will be required to pay extra if you want to put additional items, or shipping your things in a safer transport way, such as enclosed auto-transport. Keep this in mind and consider the items you will be shipping to avoid any issue!
Remember that before shipment, there are certain things you must take into account so that you get your vehicle delivered in perfect condition in a timely manner. Take a look at some of them:
AmeriFreight has years of experience in the vehicle transportation industry, ensuring you and your vehicle and excellent service and experience along the journey. Our agents are available for you in case you have any questions or doubts, and will give you personalized customer service from the moment you request your shipment, until you get your car delivered. We make thousands of customers happy, and can’t wait to help you out with your vehicle transportation while providing you transparency and safety throughout the whole process.
Chat with our agents about your car shipping needs, and be sure to mention if you plan on shipping your vehicle with items inside. The more information they receive, the better they can communicate with potential carriers to make sure they find the perfect fit for you and your beloved car.
Request a quote on our website or call us today! We are more than happy to assist you.
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