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Classic Car Auto Transport: What You Need to Know

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   Classic Car Auto Transport: What You Need to Know

Classic cars are usually a prized possession for their owners. These unique vehicles often carry more than just monetary value, but also sentimental value for the owner who is passionate about the vehicle. For this reason, it is important to take the utmost care when choosing how to transport your classic car. Whether you are moving, taking your car to a show, or looking to sell your classic car, it is essential to find a carrier that has the right equipment, expertise, and knowledge to ship a classic car safely. 

How to Choose an Auto Transport Company for Your Classic Car

If you have a strong financial and sentimental investment in your classic car, not just any auto transport company will do. In fact, it is important to do plenty of research to choose an auto transport company that specializes in the shipment of classic cars. Here are a few tips for choosing an auto transport company:

  • Do plenty of research. This includes reading customer reviews, checking with the Better Business Bureau, and even checking the company’s driving history and safety records with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
  • Compare rates and services. Be on the lookout for a company whose prices are drastically different from the rest. Oftentimes, if a price seems too good to be true it probably is.  
  • Check to make sure the company is properly licensed, registered, and insured. 
  • Make sure they have the right equipment and expertise to ship a classic car. 

What Services to Look for in Classic Car Transport

When booking your classic car transport, you want to look for a company that offers the following services: 

  • Recommendations from a reputable source: Before loading your prized vehicle onto a carrier, you want to be sure they have the proper knowledge and expertise to ship your car safely. Ask for recommendations from resources such as museums, auction companies, car restorers, or local car collectors. 
  • Proof of Insurance: You definitely want to make sure your vehicle will be insured during transport. 
  • Enclosed Transport: While open carriers are most common among traditional vehicles, enclosed carriers are a safer option for classic cars. Though it will cost you a bit more, enclosed carriers keep your classic car completely shielded from the outdoor elements. This is the best way to ensure your classic car remains in pristine condition. 
  • Door-to-Door Delivery: This option is not only convenient, but it is also the safest option and will ensure your vehicle is picked up and delivered straight to you.
  • GPS Tracking: Another great feature to look for is GPS tracking. This feature allows you to check your vehicle’s location so you can receive real-time updates on delivery times. 

How to Prepare Your Classic Car for Shipment

Once you have chosen an auto transport company for your classic car, there are steps you should take to prepare your car for shipment. 

  • Wash your car and inspect it for any dings, dents, or scratches. Take time-stamped pictures and make a note of any damage. This will help with any damage claims should that problem arise. 
  • Provide written instructions to the driver about anything in regards to operating your classic car. 
  • You should have no more than a half tank of fuel in your vehicle and make sure the battery is fully charged. 
  • Remove all personal items from inside the vehicle. 
  • Read and understand all of the terms of your contract agreement prior to shipment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest Answers to Your Car Shipping Questions

Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. If the addresses that you give us are not safely accessible for a Multi-car carrier, however, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the carrier can safely get in and out.

People do it all the time (rarely for free) but the official answer is no.

Not what you wanted to hear, we know, but that is the honest answer.

We are not licensed to broker the shipment of household goods and, likewise, no car carrier that operates in the USA is licensed to transport them from state to state either. Despite what you might be being told by other car shipping companies you may speak with.

Remember, at the end of the day we're all salespeople, and the true answer to this question is not a great selling point.

You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit. They could fine them, however, if they see a vehicle stuffed full of personal items so the car carrier will most likely try to negotiate something with you to cover themselves against any costs they could incur. It's not something we can build into your contract though.

We have a short and helpful video on this topic in our user videos.

Only in rare cases and car carriers will usually charge a premium to make it happen.

All dates given by car carriers are typically estimates and projections.

For this reason (and to keep your cost down) we ask that you build in some flexibility and give us the earliest possible date you would be WILLING to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date.

We'll put you in direct contact with your car carrier and the driver will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pick up and delivery (they won't just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, car carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw them off of their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.

If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will average 7 to 10 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

Yes!

Even better, we do not even ask for payment until we have you confirmed for pickup by a safe, reliable, fully insured, direct car carrier. If for any reason you do not ship your car with the carrier that we arrange for you, there is no fee.

The fees paid directly to the carrier however, (in most cases, their fees are not paid until your vehicle is delivered) are not directly controlled by us, so any requests for a refund of the carrier's portion would need to be addressed with the carrier directly.

Of course! And you are always backed by our Damage Free Guarantee policy.

Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the car carrier that we put you on is covered by the proper amount of insurance and that everything is up to date.

There is never any additional cost to you for this coverage, and their insurance is always primary.

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