The short answer
Shipping a classic or exotic safely means booking an enclosed trailer, verifying whether it's hard-sided or soft-sided, and layering coverage above the carrier's base cargo policy for six-figure values. Take an 8-point photo set at pickup, confirm liftgate clearance for low cars, and inspect the undercarriage and fluid levels at delivery before signing. Enclosed transport runs about 35% above open transport but eliminates road debris and weather exposure entirely.
- Enclosed transport carries a 35% surcharge over open transport, reflecting the smaller, specialized carrier fleet and lower vehicle count per trailer.
- Hard-sided enclosed trailers offer more rigidity in high winds; soft-sided (tarped) trailers are lighter but flex more in transit.
- Optional shipper's-interest insurance adds up to $200,000 of coverage for $99 per vehicle, layered on top of the carrier's cargo policy.
- An 8-point photo routine (four corners, roof, undercarriage, odometer, interior) is the standard evidence set for a six-figure vehicle claim.
- Hydraulic liftgates lower to near ground level, making them the safer loading method for cars with under 4 inches of front clearance.
- Carriers on our network are continuously vetted through the Highway platform, and every enclosed shipment includes live tracking and a digital Bill of Lading.
Hard-sided vs. soft-sided enclosed trailers
- Hard-sided trailers have rigid aluminum walls, better protection against wind gusts and highway debris impact.
- Soft-sided trailers use a tarp-covered frame — lighter, slightly cheaper to operate, but more vulnerable in severe weather.
- Ask specifically which type is assigned; 'enclosed' alone doesn't guarantee hard sides.
- For six-figure vehicles or long cross-country routes through mountain weather, request hard-sided explicitly.
- Both types fully block road spray, rock chips, and UV exposure that open carriers can't prevent.
Layering coverage for high-value vehicles
Every carrier we dispatch carries a baseline cargo policy, but that policy has a per-incident cap that may not fully cover a rare or modified vehicle. For anything above typical market value, add our $99 shipper's-interest policy, which layers up to $200,000 of additional coverage on top of the carrier's base policy. If your classic is insured for an agreed value well above that, ask your personal collector-car insurer whether their policy extends to transit — many do, and stacking that with the carrier's coverage closes the gap completely.
The 8-point photographic Bill of Lading routine
- Front bumper and grille, straight-on
- Rear bumper and trunk lid, straight-on
- Both full side profiles, driver and passenger
- Roof and windshield from a raised angle
- Each wheel and tire, close up
- Undercarriage where visible, especially exhaust and fuel lines
- Odometer reading, clearly legible
- Interior dash, seats, and any existing wear
Preparing low-clearance cars for liftgates
A car sitting 3.5 inches or lower off the ground can scrape a standard ramp before it ever reaches the trailer bed. Hydraulic liftgates solve this by lowering flush to the pavement, letting the vehicle roll on without an incline. Confirm liftgate equipment when booking, note your exact ground clearance in the vehicle profile, and if the car has adjustable coilovers, raise them to their highest setting the day before pickup. Remove aero splitters or front lip kits that extend below the bumper line if they're not structurally reinforced.
Delivery day: undercarriage and fluid inspection
- Check under the vehicle for fresh fluid drips before it's fully off the trailer — transit vibration can loosen old seals.
- Compare tire pressure to pickup-day photos; a flat spot from prolonged stationary transit is rare but worth catching early.
- Run the engine briefly if safe to do so and listen for anything new before signing the delivery Bill of Lading.
- Photograph the same 8 points from pickup in the same order for a direct side-by-side comparison.
Why enclosed costs more, in plain terms
Enclosed carriers hold fewer vehicles per trip, usually one to seven compared to nine or ten on an open rig, and the trailers themselves cost significantly more to buy and maintain. That lower density and higher equipment cost is baked into the 35% enclosed surcharge. For a car worth six figures, that premium is a small fraction of the vehicle's value in exchange for zero road debris exposure and a carrier pool that specializes in exactly this kind of cargo.
Frequently asked questions
- Is enclosed transport always worth the extra cost for a classic car?
- For most collector vehicles, yes — road debris, salt, and UV exposure on an open trailer can cause real cosmetic damage over a long haul. If the car is a daily driver with high mileage and low sentimental value, open transport is a reasonable way to save money.
- Can I ride along with my classic car during transport?
- No. Federal regulations prohibit carrying passengers in the truck cab who aren't employees of the carrier, for insurance and liability reasons. You can, however, track the shipment live and coordinate delivery timing closely.
- What if my car needs a specific tie-down method?
- Tell the dispatcher about any frame-specific tie-down points, soft straps for rare rims, or wheel-net requirements when booking so the assigned carrier arrives with the right equipment rather than improvising at the curb.
- How is the enclosed surcharge calculated on my quote?
- It's a flat 35% added to the base open-transport rate for your route and vehicle size. Run your exact number in about 60 seconds at autotransportai.com/quote — $0 is due until pickup.