The short answer
Open transport is the standard choice and costs about 35% less than enclosed, and it's fine for the vast majority of everyday vehicles bought online. Enclosed makes sense when the car's paint, ground clearance, or overall value make even minor road debris or weather exposure a real financial risk — think classics, exotics, and low-clearance performance cars, not typical sedans and SUVs.
- Enclosed transport costs roughly 35% more than open transport on the same route.
- Open transport exposes vehicles to road debris and weather, but is the method used for the vast majority of everyday shipments without issue.
- Low-clearance vehicles often need enclosed transport with a lift-gate trailer to avoid scraping on loading ramps.
- Optional shipper's-interest insurance adds up to $200,000 in coverage for $99, regardless of trailer type.
- Minimum shipping rates start around $275 on short routes for either open or enclosed service.
The 35% cost difference, explained
Enclosed trailers carry far fewer vehicles per trip, require specialized equipment, and are operated by carriers who often specialize in high-value transport — all of which adds up to roughly a 35% premium over open transport on the same route. That premium buys full protection from road spray, weather, and debris. For most buyers shipping a normal used car purchased online, that protection isn't necessary; for others, it's the whole point of the purchase.
Does your car's paint need enclosed protection?
- A daily-driver sedan or SUV with a durable factory clear coat is well suited to open transport.
- A freshly painted, wrapped, or specialty-finish vehicle benefits from enclosed to avoid chips or fading.
- Classic and collector cars with original or hard-to-match paint are strong candidates for enclosed.
- If resale value depends heavily on a flawless exterior, enclosed removes a meaningful variable.
Why ground clearance decides your transport method
Standard open carriers use fixed ramps that can scrape the front splitter or undertray of a lowered car during loading and unloading. Enclosed carriers more commonly offer lift-gate trailers, which load hydraulically and avoid the ramp-angle problem entirely. If you bought a lowered, modified, or exotic car online, this is often the deciding factor over cost — it's not really about weather protection at that point, it's about whether the car can be loaded without damage at all.
The truth about open transport and weather
Open transport does expose vehicles to rain, road spray, and highway debris, but this is the industry-standard method used for the overwhelming majority of car shipments, including plenty of nearly-new vehicles, without any resulting damage. A car surviving an open-transport trip in typical weather is not unusual — it's the norm. Enclosed exists for the subset of vehicles where even a low-probability chip or scratch represents a real financial concern, not because open transport is inherently risky for ordinary cars.
Securing $200k in coverage for $99 either way
Regardless of which trailer type you choose, the optional shipper's-interest insurance adds up to $200,000 in coverage for a flat $99 per vehicle, on top of the carrier's own cargo policy. For a sight-unseen online purchase, this add-on is worth considering whether you're shipping open or enclosed, since it's a small cost relative to the value most people are protecting.
Frequently asked questions
- How much more does enclosed transport cost than open?
- Enclosed typically costs about 35% more than open transport for the same route. The premium reflects specialized equipment, lower per-trip vehicle capacity, and more experienced carriers.
- Is open transport safe for a car I bought online sight-unseen?
- Yes, for the vast majority of everyday vehicles. Open transport is the industry-standard method and most cars arrive with no issues. Enclosed is worth the premium mainly for high-value, low-clearance, or hard-to-replace vehicles.
- Why would a low car need enclosed transport specifically?
- Standard open-carrier ramps can scrape a lowered vehicle's front end during loading. Enclosed carriers more often use hydraulic lift-gate trailers, which avoid that ramp-angle problem entirely.