When Shipping A Car By Auto Transport Can I Load It With Household And Personal Items

Truthfully there is only one answer to this question based upon several facts and situations, although many different answers are given by many different people.

and it is determined by the Carriers insurance company and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the D.O.T.).

1. The insurance coverage that your carrier has will not cover items loaded inside your car. This “cargo” insurance is for his cargo… not yours. So, if that lamp you place in your car bounces around and breaks your car radio you lose, as it is not insured ..

2. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (The FMCSA) has a rule saying that no household goods may be transported inside your vehicle. Licensing is their prime motive. Your Carrier has a license enabling him to move and transport automobiles and vehicles. It does not give him the authority to transport household goods and personal property. In order to do this he would have to apply for an additional license.

In addition to obtaining additional insurance and bonding, this would require filing the necessary forms and paying required fees.

3. Another reason not to load your vehicle with household goods when shipping by an auto transport carrier is weight.

Common thinking would indicate that “my stuff only weighs a couple of hundred pounds” but please remember that your car is only one of about ten on his truck. Multiply your couple of hundred pounds by the ten cars loaded and it turns into a couple of thousand pounds. Your carrier has to cross the scales many times while in transit to your destination. Scale busters pay big fines and penalties, not to mention the additional fuel used just to transport these vehicles.

The answer to this question must be no based upon the listed reasons above.

You might even hear from some auto transport brokers that it is OK to load “just a few items”, or how about “up to 100 or 200 pounds in the trunk”.

Is this right ? They can’t change the law. Their attempts in being agreeable in order to capture your business doesn’t change a thing.

When you get caught, your “advisor” who suggested you break the law will quickly go into hiding.

Brokers and Carriers who sincerely want to do business with you in a safe, fair, and completely legal manner are the only kind you should use.

When you decide to ship your vehicle, go to websites offering quotes and fill in the information requested. You will then receive quotes on shipping your car from several of the great trucking companies recommended. There is never an obligation, select the one you want, or select none. Having seen the quotes will make you a much better shopper.

Some good advice, be safe, be smart, and pick a reputable Broker/Carrier.

Want to find out more about auto transport quotes, then visit Bob Frost’s site on how to choose the best car shipping quotes for your needs.