The short answer
A car shipping quote is really two numbers: what the carrier will be paid to drive your vehicle, and the company's fee for finding, vetting and managing that carrier. Everything else is a multiplier on the first number — enclosed trailer, inoperable vehicle, oversized vehicle, expedited pickup. If a quote does not separate those, ask. A quote where the carrier portion is below market is a quote that will not get picked up.
- Carrier pay is set by the live market on your lane, not by the company quoting you.
- Enclosed transport runs roughly 35% above open; a non-running vehicle adds about the same.
- Expedited pickup (1–5 business days instead of 1–7) adds about 35%.
- Optional $200,000 shipper's-interest coverage is a flat $99 per vehicle.
The two real components
Carrier pay is what a truck earns for your route, vehicle and dates. It is set by supply and demand — how many trucks are running that corridor this week against how many cars need to move. The service fee is what the company keeps for sourcing a vetted carrier, insurance verification, dispatch, tracking and problem-solving. A transparent quote lets you see both.
The multipliers, and why they exist
- Enclosed trailer (+~35%): fewer trailers, fewer cars per load, higher insurance limits.
- Inoperable vehicle (+~35%): winch loading, longer load times, a specific trailer type.
- Oversized vehicle (+~15%): a dually or lifted SUV takes more than one slot.
- Expedited pickup (+~35%): the carrier has to reshuffle an existing route.
- Short distance: a minimum applies on very short hauls because a truck still has to deviate for them.
What should never appear on a quote
- A non-refundable deposit due before a carrier is assigned
- A 'fuel surcharge' added after booking — fuel is already in carrier pay
- A vague 'processing fee' with no description
- A guaranteed exact pickup date on standard service
Questions that separate real quotes from bait
- Is this price based on live carrier market rates for my specific lane?
- What is the carrier's portion and what is your fee?
- What happens if no carrier accepts at this price?
- When exactly is my card charged?
- Is the price locked, or can it change after booking?
Frequently asked questions
- Why do car shipping quotes vary so much?
- Because some are priced from live carrier market data and some are priced to win your deposit. The first gets picked up; the second sits on a dispatch board until the price is 'revised' upward.
- Is a car shipping quote binding?
- Ours is locked once you book — the total you agree to is the total charged. Ask any company directly whether their number can change after booking, and get the answer in writing.
- When do I pay?
- $0 is due today. The card on file is charged the full order total at the moment your vehicle is physically picked up by the carrier.