Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.
No, all dates given are estimates and projections. For this reason, we ask that you give us the earliest possible date you would be willing to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date. We put you in direct contact with your carrier and the carrier will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pickup and delivery (they won’t just show up unannounced, and if they do, we want to hear about it). However, carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw it off their pickup and delivery projections from time to time. If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make a contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.
Yes, you can pay the full transport cost via credit card. If you want to pay in full online, you can do so at the time of booking either online or by phone with a shipping agent. With this option, you can make a convenient, one-time payment with a credit or debit card. You also have the option of paying a deposit with your credit card and then paying the rest of your remining balance with cash upon delivery.
You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn’t add much additional weight.
To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 278-9855 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.
We will need the address for the locations that your vehicle will be picked up from and delivered to, along with the name and phone number of the contact person at each location. We will also need the date that your vehicle will be ready and the year, make, and model of the vehicle(s) that will be transported.
Yes, the city and zip code will suffice until your exact pickup or delivery location is known.
Information
Booking
The more advance notice we receive the better, so we can best meet your specific needs. If you are in an urgent situation, please call us as soon as possible, and your agent will discuss your options with you.
No, all that is required to book your vehicle transport is full pickup and delivery addresses and a credit card just to hold your spot in line for the next truck available in dispatch. Your card is only for the deposit which is charged once we have assigned a driver for your vehicle and we have supplied you with your driver’s name and phone number. Only then your credit card is charged a $200 deposit which is included in your Quote price.
We do not take any money upon placement of the order. We will keep a credit card on file and only run the deposit amount when the vehicle is dispatched, and the truck is on its way to pick up your vehicle. The balance is paid upon delivery of the vehicle either by Cash, Money order, Certified check, or also on the credit card. If it is impossible and the balance is paid with a credit card, we will need to know in advance. Please, arrange it with our reps to have the whole balance charged on a credit card prior to delivery (there will be a small surcharge added to your total).
Your price is determined by mileage, vehicle size, pickup and delivery locations, as well as any specific needs that you may have. We will provide you the best service at the best price possible on auto transport market.
For open transport, we transport vehicles on the car carriers you see on the highways (the stacked double-decker like trailers). On enclosed transport, vehicles are transported in fully-enclosed semi-trucks but with the interior designed to secure vehicles (from the outside they look like the typical cargo or moving truck).
In terms of damage, there is not a huge difference between the two options. However, on an open transport, the vehicle is exposed and would, therefore, be subject to weather conditions and wear-and-tear on the road (just as if you were driving it yourself) as opposed to the enclosed trucks, which protect the vehicle from the elements.
Yes, of course. Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the carrier we put you on is covered by the requisite amount of insurance and that it is up to date. There is never any additional cost to the customer for this coverage, and their insurance is primary. In any situation your vehicle is covered for all damages done while your car is in transit.
Pickup
Yes, it is required that you or a designated representative be present at pickup and delivery. The driver will perform an inspection and some paper work must be signed. If it’s not possible for you or a representative to be there at the time of pick up/delivery, please call our Customer service at: 888-435-9766.
The Department of Transportation does not allow any items to be shipped in a vehicle on an auto carrier. Drivers can be subject to random searches, and extra items can also put the carrier over their weight restrictions, resulting in expensive fines for the driver. Unlimited Auto Trans, and/or the assigned Carrier, is not responsible for any personal items left in the vehicle. Also, items placed in the car are not insured.
We request that you have a minimum of 1/8 tank of gas (but no more than ½ tank) due to DOT weight restrictions. We also ask that if your vehicle is dirty to have a car wash prior pick up so the vehicle will have visibility for proper inspection. For more details, please visit our Prepare your car section.
We try to go Door-to-door on both ends, if there is a truck access. Vehicles are transported on large, semi-trucks so if you live on a narrow street, we may have to coordinate a pickup/delivery at a nearby parking lot or shopping center where there is enough space for the truck to maneuver to load/unload the vehicle.
Your vehicle will be driven only as it’s being loaded and unloaded by our Carrier. Occasionally, the driver may have to unload and reload your vehicle while in transit, to deliver other vehicles that may be positioned in a slot in front of yours. However, our drivers work hard to optimize loads, to minimize the need for repositioning prior to final delivery.
- Please have your vehicle accessible, so our driver can get it onto the truck as quickly as possible.
- Please have the car cleaned, so that the Inspection Report our driver will complete can help you document there are no scratches or dings present.
- Kindly empty your vehicle of any personal items.
- remove any toll tags or parking passes that could incur charges as your vehicle crosses under a toll signal.
- If there are any modifications to your vehicle (raised, lowered, roof rack, camper, lowered etc.) please alert your Transport Coordinator when booking your order.
- If possible, fix any known leaks – or at least alert your Transport Coordinator.
Delivery
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 (parking lot of a nearby shopping center, mall, etc.)
Communication is one of the most important parts of auto transport. You will be provided with both the driver and dispatcher’s number to call at any point to get an update. We kindly ask not to call the driver an overly amount, since we want them focusing on the road.
That depends on how many miles the vehicle is traveling. A driver is only allowed to drive a certain number of miles or hours each day. They also have other cars to unload and load which will add additional time, but we will be able to provide you with the drop off date as soon as the vehicle is dispatched.
The driver or dispatcher should be calling you a day in advance to give you a 2-hour window. If there is any delay or change in the schedule, we will try to inform you right away, so you can plan your schedule accordingly.
The driver will have the Inspection Report that was filled out at the time of pickup. Please walk around the vehicle and make sure there are no new issues, other than what was noted at the time of pickup. Take your time inspecting your vehicle, because once you sign the Inspection Report and take possession of your vehicle, the Carrier will no longer be held liable for any damages discovered after the document is signed. Feel free to take pictures or a short video before you sign anything. But in the unlikely event you do find any issues, it’s important to remain calm and trust that you are protected — so the driver can accept his responsibility without feeling overly defensive.
Auto Transportation Guide
- How Do I pay for my auto shipping?
- Can I pay the full amount of the transportation with my credit card?
- Do I need to pay 100% in advance to book my transport?
- How does payment work?
- How do you figure out the price to transport my car?
- How much does it cost to ship my car?
- Do you offer a Military discount?
- What is a discounted cash price?
- How do I pay the truck driver at delivery?
- Can I pay the truck driver with credit card or a personal check?
- Is there a discount for shipping multiple vehicles?
- Is there any sales tax on car shipping?
- Do I have to be present at the time of pickup or delivery?
- How much gas should I have in my car during transport?
- What is the Bill of Lading?
- Can you guarantee a pickup or delivery date?
- Can I place an order if I don’t know the exact address?
- Do I need vehicle registration or title to ship my vehicle?
- How do I know my pickup and delivery date?
- Do I need to drive to a pickup or a drop off location?
- What do I need to do to inspect my car at the point of delivery?
- What is the difference between Open and Enclosed transport?
- What is Door - to - door service?
- What is Terminal - to - Terminal service?
- Can I ship a non-running vehicle?
- Can I ship an oversized or modified vehicle?
- Can I ship a vehicle with a low ground clearance?
- Can I ship a vehicle with higher ground clearance and oversized tires?
- Can I ship a vehicle with a roof rack?
- Can I ship a car from an auction?
- Can I ship a car from a storage facility?
- Can I ship a car to or from a port?
- How do I place an order to transport a vehicle?
- What details do you need to place an order?
- How far in advance do I need to place my order?
- How do I prepare my vehicle for shipment?
- What is the difference between a carrier and a broker?
- Why should I use an auto transportation broker?
- What types of vehicle do you ship?
- What is running and non-running vehicle?
Is your question not listed here? Please feel free to call one our agents at (888) 278-9855 (Toll Free) and they will be glad to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
