The short answer
Auto carriers are licensed to move vehicles, not household goods, so personal items are technically not permitted and are never covered by cargo insurance. In practice most drivers accept up to about 100 lbs in the trunk, below the window line. Anything heavier risks a DOT weight violation at a scale, and anything visible invites theft. Electronics, documents, firearms, flammables and valuables should never be left in the car.
- Typical informal allowance: up to ~100 lbs, trunk only, below the window line, declared to the driver.
- Cargo insurance covers the vehicle, not its contents — a stolen laptop is not a payable claim.
- Overweight loads can be fined at a DOT scale and the driver, not you, carries that liability.
- Toll transponders keep charging while the car is on a trailer — remove them.
Why the rule exists
Household-goods transport is a different FMCSA authority than vehicle transport. A carrier hauling your boxes is operating outside their license, and their cargo policy explicitly excludes contents. Add to that the fact that a nine-car trailer runs close to its legal axle weight when loaded, and 200 lbs of extra belongings per vehicle is a real compliance problem, not a technicality.
Usually accepted, if declared
- A small suitcase or two of clothing in the trunk
- Car seats, jumper cables, a jack and factory tools
- Spare tire and standard emergency kit
- Folded moving blankets or soft, lightweight goods
Never leave these in the vehicle
- Laptops, tablets, phones, cameras and game consoles
- Passports, titles, tax documents, cash and jewelry
- Firearms, ammunition and anything explosive
- Gasoline cans, propane, paint, pool chemicals and aerosols
- Alcohol, plants and anything perishable
- Toll transponders, garage remotes and parking permits
How to pack what you do leave
- Trunk first, back seat floor second. Nothing above the window line.
- Use soft bags rather than hard cases so weight distributes and nothing slides.
- Photograph the contents before pickup.
- Tell the driver what is inside and ask for it to be noted on the Bill of Lading.
- Do not block the driver's seat, pedals or mirrors — they have to drive the car on and off the trailer.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can I pack in my car when shipping it?
- Plan on up to about 100 lbs in the trunk, below the window line, declared to the driver. Some carriers allow more, some allow none — confirm before pickup day rather than at the curb.
- Are personal items insured during car shipping?
- No. Cargo insurance covers the vehicle itself. Items left in the car travel at your own risk, including against theft.
- Can I ship boxes in my car to save on moving costs?
- It is not worth it. Beyond the insurance gap, an overloaded vehicle can put the driver over legal axle weight, and a refused load on pickup day costs you more than the boxes would have.