Frequently Asked Questions

The preparation of your vehicle is very important in insuring the safe and trouble free transport of your vehicle/s. The safety and security of your vehicles and our trucks are our priorities. Following the steps we give you will help protect your vehicle(s). When it comes to auto transport and vehicle shipping, whether you’re moving across the country or just across town, finding a reliable service is essential. Vehicle shipping companies specialize in car hauling and vehicle relocation, offering auto logistics solutions to meet your needs. These companies utilize vehicle carriers for efficient nationwide shipping, providing both door-to-door transport and options for open or enclosed transport. From obtaining auto transport quotes to comparing car and motorcycle shipping rates, auto transport brokers streamline the process. With our expertise, vehicle delivery becomes hassle-free, and you can trust our vehicle transportation services to connect you with experienced vehicle movers, carriers, and transporters nationwide. Whether you’re relocating for work, buying a new vehicle, or heading to college, choosing the right car shipping companies ensures a smooth transition for your prized possessions. You will find the most relevant answers to your inquiries regarding the transportation of cars and motorcycles within and across states below. In case you cannot locate the desired answer, kindly reach out to us via email at info@abcautoshipping.com.

Here are some questions you might have about shipping, moving, or transporting your cars or motorcycles.

Preparing to transport a vehicle/s. We prefer at least 7 to 30 days advance notice to schedule the transport of your vehicle(s). Booking your car/cars to be transported on our open and enclosed car carriers are on a first come first serve bases and availability changes as spaces are available on the trucks. It is very much like getting an airline ticket. Bookings requested for further in the future will be quoted based on current fuel prices, weather, truck availability, and more. Because of the volatility of fuel prices, market and other factors, it may be in your best interest to wait 10-30 days before the 1st available pickup date. We need 2-5 days of window for pick up. Since truck availability changes all the time, you can try us whenever you need to transport your vehicle(s). However, sometime it is more beneficial to lock in your rate before prices increases. Thus, people book their vehicle transportation needs months in advance. Any bodily modification (other than standard manufacturing) done to your car/s must be presented to your agent while getting a quote. However, its never late to request an auto transportation quote even the last minute. We understand that sometimes other car shipping or car transport companies may have promised and not been able to fulfill or it is customer’s first time transporting a car and not familiar with the auto transportation process. It is never too late to request a quote since its always possible for spaces on the trucks to be available, even the last minute. To start your car transport or car shipping process, request a quote  at https://abcautoshipping.com/get-free-quote//

When your order is placed, we will ask you for a 2-5 day window for pick up of your vehicle. We usually have it picked up within a 2-3 day window. As we get closer to the date, we will advise you of the specific date, the driver’s name and cell phone number and a 4 hour pick up window. And, the driver will call you as he gets closer to your location. At the time of pick up, the driver will fill out a Bill of Lading / Inspection Sheet and make note of the physical condition of the vehicle. He will ask for your signature to acknowledge your agreement with his assessment of the vehicle. You will receive one copy of the Inspection Sheet at the pick up. The remaining copies will travel with the vehicle and can be used to compare the condition of the vehicle at the time of delivery. If any damage has occurred during transit, please note the damage in the area designated on the Inspection Sheet at the time of delivery. No claims will be honored if the damage is not noted at the time of delivery and acknowledged by the driver.

Once the inspection has been completed the driver will need a key to be able to drive the car onto the tractor/trailer and then the vehicle is secured to the trailer. Typically, we ask that you contact ABC Auto Shipping, Inc via email or by phone 3 days prior to the first estimated delivery date or 5-7 days after the pick up of your vehicle/s, whichever comes first to get an update on the delivery status. The driver will contact you as he gets closer to the destination to coordinate delivery of your vehicle. Most trucks are 75 to 80 feet long with low ground clearance. This can be a problem getting into residential areas due to: narrow roads, road weight limits, low bridges and over hanging trees. The driver will attempt to get as close to your location as possible; otherwise, a convenient alternate location like the nearest Walmart, Homedepot, or lowes (within 5 miles radius of your pick up and delivery address) or shopping center or a large parking area will be agreed upon as the pick up or delivery location. Upon delivery, you will receive a copy of the Bill of Lading / Inspection Sheet which will make note on any monies received. Your car/s will be picked up and delivered between the hours of 6am to 11pm unless otherwise requested in writing.

Your vehicle/s transportation might be subcontracted to multiple auto transport carriers without your knowledge. In such event, the transporter’s Terms and conditions will supersede our agreement and will be applicable.

ABC Auto Shipping as a courtesy allows up to 50 pounds (unless otherwise agreed previously in writing) of uninsured personal items or belongings to be transported in your vehicle. Due to strict weight restrictions for our fully loaded trucks, we must charge a surcharge of $1.00 per pound for excess weight. You have the option to take the personal belongings out or pay the extra fee, to be decided by the driver, unless previously discussed and stated herein. Auto transporters do not carry insurance for personal belongings. We have authority from the Department of Transportation to transport vehicles. It is only as a courtesy that we allow customers to transport personal items. It is always at the driver’s discretion to accept the personal belongings. Driver must ensure that the fully loaded truck will not exceed maximum weight restriction allowed by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Also, ABC Auto Shipping does not provide any insurance for the personal items or belongings that you will transport in your vehicle.

Brokers & Shippers: Most carriers prohibit the inclusion of personal items in vehicles being shipped. This is for three very good reasons:

License & Insurance – It is against FMCSA regulations for carriers to transport personal possessions within a vehicle. Carriers risk fines for transporting any personal possessions. In addition, the carrier’s insurance typically does not cover the loss or damage of personal possessions included in a vehicle being shipped.

Weight – Auto haulers have strict limits on the weight of loaded trucks and trailers. Additional, unanticipated weight of personal items could cause carriers to be overweight. In this situation, the carrier has to make a choice to drive overweight (risking fines and significant delays) or not take the vehicle.

Safety – Extra weight in the car could cause damage to the undercarriage during loading and unloading. To avoid the potential loss of personal items and to make sure that vehicles can be delivered on time, please understand that you should not ship any personal items in a vehicle.

Make sure the locations for pickup and delivery are truck accessible. Most trucks are 75 to 80 feet long with low ground clearance. This can be a problem getting into residential areas due to: narrow roads, road weight limits, low bridges and over hanging trees. If the auto carrier cannot make it to your location, we will ask you to meet the driver at a nearby shopping center or mall or location with a large parking lot to load/unload your vehicle. Typically, we ask customers to meet our drivers at the nearest WalMart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other department stores with big parking lots and clear truck access. The safety and security of your vehicles and our trucks are our priorities.

All transportation time frames are estimates. We do not guarantee a specific delivery date due to factors such as traffic, weather, and other vehicles on the truck’s route that will be delivered prior to reaching your car’s destination. Most of the times your vehicle/s are being transported along with 6-9 other cars on an open or enclosed car carrier. We will certainly do our best to deliver your vehicle/s on your preferred date.

Local terminals will be utilized to guarantee a specific pick up or delivery date. An additional fee of generally $150-$300 for each vehicle would apply for this service. We would then have the vehicle/s picked up 1-4 days earlier than 1st available pick up date and have it taken to one of our nearby secure terminals within a 30 miles radius of your location. The Terminal delivery fee is usually less if customers pick up their vehicles themselves on the requested day from the terminal. A higher fee would apply if we have the terminal deliver on the guaranteed delivery date.

The auto carriers utilized are typically 80 feet long, 9 feet wide, and almost 14 feet high and weigh approximately 80,000 lbs. The turning radius for the auto carriers is very wide. Consequently, we need to make sure that the roads and streets to your location will allow a truck of this size. Also, low bridges and overhanging trees can prevent a truck from getting to your location as we do not want to the take the risk of damaging any vehicles on the top level of the carrier. If the auto carrier cannot make it to your location, we will ask you to meet the driver at a nearby shopping center or mall or location with a large parking lot to load/unload your vehicle. Typically, we ask customers to meet our drivers at the nearest WalMart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other department stores with big parking lots and clear truck access. The safety and security of your vehicles and our trucks are our priorities.

Coast to coast transport typically takes 8 to 14 days; however, delays may occur due to weather, traffic conditions, and other uncontrollable circumstances. In general trucks travel 400-500 miles per day excluding time of loading and unloading. For example estimated transportation time from southern CA to Dallas, TX which is approximately 1400 miles, will take 3-6 days. Your vehicle will be loaded on an auto transport truck that will transport multiple vehicles going to different destinations across the country. Delivery times will vary based on the distance to be traveled and other stops that the truck might make on the way to your destination. For typical transportation time frames other than coast to coast, please call our office or email us by clicking on contact us.

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that customers provide one set of keys for the vehicle. The key should operate the ignition and unlock the trunk and glove box.

We ask that all customers provide a clean vehicle. This allows the carrier to do a quick and fair evaluation of the vehicle(s) condition prior to shipment, but not mandatory to wash the car before transportation.

We ask that you have between ¼ and ½ tank of fuel (preferably ¼ ) in the vehicle at the time of pick up. If your vehicle is being shipped via a port overseas or to Hawaii, your vehicle MUST have ¼ tank of fuel or less. The shipping companies will refuse to load the vehicle if there is more than ¼ tank of fuel in the car or truck.

Please be sure to turn off all alarms before transportation.

ABC Auto Shipping, Inc. will not be responsible for any pre-existing nicks, scratches, chips, cracks, or other imperfections.

Customers need to prepare their vehicles for all climates. All fluids must be checked and filled. ABC Auto Shipping, Inc. is not responsible for any damage caused by Acts of Nature and the natural elements. Your vehicle/s are insured for damages caused by our driver from the time its picked up until its delivered to you.

Spoilers, faring, air dams or other low hanging and loose items should be removed. If not, ABC Auto Shipping, Inc. will not be responsible for any lost or damaged items.