Naples, Florida
(239) 273-4649Licensed & bonded nationwide auto transport · USDOT #2273104 · MC #774106
Naples, FloridaMon–Sat 8:00am – 8:00pm ET(239) 273-4649
Resource hub
Twenty years of hard-earned knowledge, written for people shipping a vehicle for the first time — and for collectors who have done it a hundred times.
Chapter 1
Open carriers move about 90% of shipped vehicles, including every new car delivered to a dealership. They cost less and have far better availability. Enclosed transport adds sealed walls, lift-gate loading and much higher insurance limits. Choose enclosed when the vehicle is exotic, collectible, freshly restored, very low-clearance, or simply worth more than you want exposed to weather and road debris.
Chapter 2
Distance matters, but so does route density — a Los Angeles to Dallas lane has trucks running constantly, while a rural Montana pickup does not. Vehicle size and weight consume deck space. Operability adds winch time. Season matters enormously: Florida-bound lanes spike in October and reverse in April. Anyone quoting you a flat per-mile rate without asking these questions is guessing.
Chapter 3
Cargo coverage belongs to the carrier, not the broker. Ask for the limit and the certificate. Ours run $250,000 on open equipment and $1,000,000 on enclosed. Your personal auto policy usually does not cover a vehicle in commercial transit, and personal belongings inside the car are never covered.
Chapter 4
A legitimate quote names the equipment type, the pickup window, the insurance limit and the total price with the deposit broken out. If a price is dramatically below every other quote, it is a bid to win your booking — carriers will decline the load and the price will rise later, usually the week you need to travel.
Chapter 5
Book one to two weeks ahead most of the year. For the snowbird corridors — southbound October through December, northbound March through May — book three to six weeks ahead and expect higher rates. Summer is the busiest overall relocation season nationwide. Winter weather can add days to northern lanes.
Chapter 6
Wash it so existing damage shows in the photos. Empty it, including toll transponders and parking passes — we are not responsible for tolls or fees incurred while the vehicle is in transit. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Disable the alarm. Note any leaks. Photograph every panel, the roof and the interior with a timestamp. Hand the driver a spare key. Ten minutes of prep is the best insurance you will ever buy.
Chapter 7
Walk the vehicle with the driver, compare against your photos, and make sure the bill of lading reflects reality before you sign. At delivery, inspect before signing again — signing a clean bill of lading closes the door on a damage claim. Inspect in daylight if at all possible.
Chapter 8
A quote given without asking whether the vehicle runs. A large deposit demanded or full payment upfront via Zelle or Venmo. No DOT or MC number on the website. Pressure to book today. Refusal to tell you the broker fee. Refusal to provide an insurance certificate. Any of these alone is a reason to keep calling.
Checklist
Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.
