Car Shipping FAQs
If you don’t have experience shipping a car, it may feel overwhelming and impossible to choose the best company to ship your car. We want to help you make an informed, confident choice when you’re ready to book your auto transport order. Here you’ll find frequently asked questions grouped under three sections:
Things to Know About Shipping Cars
Familiarize yourself with the industry
Car transport cost is determined primarily by distance and the size of vehicle but there are other factors as well that ultimately determine the cost to ship a car.
There are a lot of factors that determine the cost to ship a car, but there are some things you can do to help you save money on shipping your car including getting quotes from several auto transport companies, opt for an open trailer, book in the "off season," and much more.
A carrier is a company that has their own fleet of trucks. A carrier may also be an individual owner-operator with their own truck. A carrier will either work directly with you to ship your vehicle on their trucks or they'll work with a broker. As a customer, you'll be responsible to find these carriers yourself and to vet them out to verify they are a legitimate carrier.
Important Note on terminology: You will see terms such as “car transporter,” “auto transporter,” “auto hauler,” and “auto transport company” throughout our website and other transportation websites. They are all different terms for the same thing. They are all carriers which means they have their own trucks.
A broker does not own any trucks. A broker is a matchmaker, pairing customers with carriers. A broker is an expert in the industry that has access to a vast network of carriers to choose from when shipping your car. A broker does all the leg work for you to find a legitimate carrier to ship your car. A broker will make sure the carrier is reputable, reliable, and is licensed and fully insured.
Important Note on terminology: You will see terms such as “car transporter,” “auto transporter,” “auto hauler,” and “auto transport company” throughout our website and other transportation websites. They are all different terms for the same thing. They are all carriers which means they have their own trucks.
A broker does not own any trucks. A broker is a matchmaker, pairing customers with carriers. A broker is an expert in the industry that has access to a vast network of carriers to choose from when shipping your car. A broker does all the leg work for you to find a legitimate carrier to ship your car. A broker will make sure the carrier is reputable, reliable, and is licensed and fully insured.
We're a licensed broker with a network of transport carriers with their own fleet of trucks. We always strive to ship your vehicle with vetted carriers with 96 or higher rating ,one of our trusted carrier partners.
When we ship your vehicle with a trusted carrier partner, we will always be your one point of contact throughout the entire process!
When we ship your vehicle with a trusted carrier partner, we will always be your one point of contact throughout the entire process!
Door-to-door shipping is when your vehicle is picked up and delivered at locations that are convenient to you. At Global Point AutoTransport, we only ship vehicles door-to-door. This delivery method is the most convenient for customers.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is when your vehicle is picked up from one carrier terminal location and delivered to another carrier terminal location. The carrier you're working with may have a terminal yard that is conveniently close to you or it may be several hundred miles away! If your carrier requires terminal-to-terminal delivery, make sure you understand where the terminals are located. There may also be additional terminal storage fees that accumulate each day your vehicle is kept in the terminal yard.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is when your vehicle is picked up from one carrier terminal location and delivered to another carrier terminal location. The carrier you're working with may have a terminal yard that is conveniently close to you or it may be several hundred miles away! If your carrier requires terminal-to-terminal delivery, make sure you understand where the terminals are located. There may also be additional terminal storage fees that accumulate each day your vehicle is kept in the terminal yard.
With an open transport your vehicle is shipped on an open trailer. The vehicle is fully exposed to the outside elements. These are the types of trailers you usually see on the roads as they are the most common.
With an enclosed transport your vehicle is transported in a trailer with secure, weather-proof walls on all sides. The vehicle is completely protected from the outside elements. There are only a small percentage of enclosed carriers. Because of that, enclosed transportation is very expensive and sometimes it can take a little longer to get your vehicle transported.
With an enclosed transport your vehicle is transported in a trailer with secure, weather-proof walls on all sides. The vehicle is completely protected from the outside elements. There are only a small percentage of enclosed carriers. Because of that, enclosed transportation is very expensive and sometimes it can take a little longer to get your vehicle transported.
The quote you receive from us is for the information you provide to our shipping agents open or enclosed transport. We do have the ability to transport vehicles on any trailers by working with our trusted partner carriers. Whether you need an open or enclosed trailer, we can help!
Things to Know to Begin the Car Shipping Process
1. Get an Instant Quote
The first step in shipping a car with us is to get an instant quote online.
You can also get a quote by calling us 24/7/365 at (888)712-2119
You can also get a quote by calling us 24/7/365 at (888)712-2119
The instant quote is all inclusive. There are no sales tax, hidden fees, or additional charges of any kind. Insurance coverage is also included in the price you are given!
When you get an auto transport quote from your average broker, they’ll usually quote you a very low price just to get your business. If they can’t find a carrier to ship your car for the quote they gave you, then they might not be able to fulfill your order (or they'll ask you for more money)! Cheap quotes can potentially give you the biggest headaches with hidden fees, surprise price increases, and unreliable service.
Given our experience and history, and the fact that we ship many vehicles with our network of carriers, we know how to price our transports to move quickly and reliably. That often means our quotes will be slightly higher than most, but when you work with us you can have the peace of mind that we will get your vehicle delivered promptly and safely for the quote we give you!
Given our experience and history, and the fact that we ship many vehicles with our network of carriers, we know how to price our transports to move quickly and reliably. That often means our quotes will be slightly higher than most, but when you work with us you can have the peace of mind that we will get your vehicle delivered promptly and safely for the quote we give you!
Yes. All you have to do is head to our Quotes page and enter your quote ID and pick up city or postal zip code. Your quote will be shown with all your details.
Please note, currently our quotes expire in 14 days so your quote will only be saved in our system for 14 days. If you attempt to look up your quote after that you will get a message that your quote has expired and you'll have to generate a new one.
Please note, currently our quotes expire in 14 days so your quote will only be saved in our system for 14 days. If you attempt to look up your quote after that you will get a message that your quote has expired and you'll have to generate a new one.
Quotes are good for 14 days before they expire. Once your quote expires, you can simply generate a new instant quote on our website or call us at (888)712-2119
2. Factors that affect your instant quote
Yes, you can! When you get an instant quote on our website you'll be given a quote for an open trailer. Below your quote you'll also see what the rate would be to transport your vehicle enclosed.
We move vehicles in enclosed trailers quite often but they are usually classic cars or highly valuable or exotic cars. You can expect to pay 60% more for enclosed transportation.
Damage claims on open trailers are rare and if something does happen you'll be covered by auto transport insurance. For the majority of vehicles, open transportation is the best (and most affordable) option.
You can also call us at (888)712-2119 or contact us via email at info@floydw10.sg-host.com to discuss the specifics of your vehicle and we can make a recommendation.
We move vehicles in enclosed trailers quite often but they are usually classic cars or highly valuable or exotic cars. You can expect to pay 60% more for enclosed transportation.
Damage claims on open trailers are rare and if something does happen you'll be covered by auto transport insurance. For the majority of vehicles, open transportation is the best (and most affordable) option.
You can also call us at (888)712-2119 or contact us via email at info@floydw10.sg-host.com to discuss the specifics of your vehicle and we can make a recommendation.
We can still ship your vehicle if it is oversized. We do it all the time. You do pay more to have an oversized vehicle shipped, however. This is true no matter what auto transporter you work with. The reason is oversized vehicles usually require a little more care and attention when loading and unloading and they take up more room on the trailer.
If you’re wondering what oversize vehicles are, we’re talking about cargo vans and XL trucks like 450s, 4500s, etc. but they also include trucks with dual rear wheels, long beds, large grill guards, ladder racks, utility boxes, small campers, lift kits (body or altered suspension) and oversized tires. When you book an order with us we’ll cover these details with you to confirm if your vehicle is oversized.
Accessories on trucks such as toppers with extended roofs and small campers may affect your quote as they may require additional room on the trailer. However, toppers with standard roofs and accessories such as bedliners and truck bed covers generally do not affect your quote. Please note, any of these accessories need to be firmly secured with nuts and bolts. This is a must! C-clamps or straps will not suffice. These accessories can and will blow off when not secured properly.
If your vehicle is inoperable, we still might be able to transport it as long as it rolls, steers, and brakes. There must also be a set of keys for the vehicle and it must not have any obvious fluid leaks.
Shipping inoperable vehicles costs considerably more, however. You can expect to pay double the price depending on the vehicle and the route of the transport. It costs more because shipping inoperable vehicles requires drivers that have experience handling these types of vehicles, and it also requires trailers that are equipped with winches. Some inoperable transports may also require a tow truck to load and unload the vehicle.
If you have an inoperable vehicle to ship we recommend you call us at (888)712-2119 or email us details at info@floydw10.sg-host.com and we'll be able to tell you if we can ship your inoperable vehicle and if we can, how much it will cost.
Shipping inoperable vehicles costs considerably more, however. You can expect to pay double the price depending on the vehicle and the route of the transport. It costs more because shipping inoperable vehicles requires drivers that have experience handling these types of vehicles, and it also requires trailers that are equipped with winches. Some inoperable transports may also require a tow truck to load and unload the vehicle.
If you have an inoperable vehicle to ship we recommend you call us at (888)712-2119 or email us details at info@floydw10.sg-host.com and we'll be able to tell you if we can ship your inoperable vehicle and if we can, how much it will cost.
3. Book your order
After you generate an instant quote on our website,You can also call us at (888)712-2119 and we can book an order for you over the phone. If you call us to book an order, please have your Quote ID handy.
When you book an order we charge a small deposit paid with a credit or debit card. The remaining balance on your order will be COD **After you inspect your vehicle making sure it is no DAMAGES with the driver upon delivery!
When you book an order we charge a small deposit paid with a credit or debit card. The remaining balance on your order will be COD **After you inspect your vehicle making sure it is no DAMAGES with the driver upon delivery!
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discovery, American Express, and debit cards. We do not accept check or cash.
We encourage customers to book orders when they know their vehicle can be picked up within 7-10 days. This gives us enough time to try to get your vehicle picked up as close to your earliest available pick up date as possible.
After you place an order, a shipping agent will call you to verify the details of your order and will let you know if there are any adjustments necessary to your transport rate. You may cancel your order and get a full refund of your deposit up to the point of, and during, that verification call.
After the verification is completed and you agree to move forward with the transport, your deposit becomes NON-REFUNDABLE.
After the verification is completed and you agree to move forward with the transport, your deposit becomes NON-REFUNDABLE.
It depends on where you are shipping your vehicle. Some locations take longer than others due to routing and location. Other factors that can affect the shipping time include weather, traffic, construction along the route, and holidays. We provide an estimated time frame for pick up and delivery when you get an instant quote on our website.
We do our best to meet your preferred pick up and delivery dates, but we cannot guarantee it. When you get an instant quote on our website we provide estimated pick up and delivery dates for your route.
Things to Know During and After the Car Shipping Process
4. Prepare vehicle and pick up
You, or someone on your behalf that is at least 18 years of age, must be present at the pick up and delivery because a vehicle inspection will be done with the driver and then the vehicle condition report needs to be signed.
The vehicle condition report is a document that details the condition of the vehicle being transported. It is ultimately used to determine if damage occurred to the vehicle during the transport.
There are a handful of things you can do to prepare a car for transport. Please see our article below.
We allow up to 100 lbs. of personal belongings. They must be secure in the trunk or cargo area only. Please note, we are NOT responsible for any personal items left in the vehicle and they are NOT covered by insurance. You ship personal items at your own risk.
No. The driver must have a key. If the vehicle starts with an electronic fob or remote device, the driver must have it.
Yes! We vet all car carriers to provide liability and cargo insurance to cover your vehicle while it is being transported. However, you MUST have your personal vehicle insurance in place because we don’t cover Acts of God.
5. Tracking and shipment updates
No, but we can give you updates by phone, email or text at your request to let you know where your vehicle is while it's in transit.
Please note, you will get a 24-hour notice and a 1-2 hour notice prior to pick up. When we give you those pick up updates, we will also know how long the vehicle will be in transit and when it will be delivered so we'll share that information with you as well. We then provide a 24-hour notice and a 1-2 hour notice prior to delivery.
Please note, you will get a 24-hour notice and a 1-2 hour notice prior to pick up. When we give you those pick up updates, we will also know how long the vehicle will be in transit and when it will be delivered so we'll share that information with you as well. We then provide a 24-hour notice and a 1-2 hour notice prior to delivery.
Our team provides regular updates to our customers from the beginning of the transport process to the very end! Most updates are given through texts or phone calls depending on our customers' preferences. Our customers are also free to call, text, or email us anytime.
6. Delivery and inspection
Yes. The driver will call you a couple hours prior to arrival for pick up and delivery to make arrangements.
You will also be given a 24-hour notice on pick up and delivery.
You will also be given a 24-hour notice on pick up and delivery.
If you believe damage occurred during transit, you will need to call our customer service ASAP of delivery and provide detailed photos of the damage. You will then Do Not Pay COD ,Do Not sign BOL or accept keys. WE will contact carrier driver,we will see how they want to handle this claim, As rarely as damage happens, we do take damage claims seriously and your concerns will be addressed quickly!
We will help you through the process you will get a estimate of the damages and we will see how the carrier or their insurance want to solve the problem.
Yes. At delivery, the driver and you, or a representative for you if you're not there, will review the vehicle condition report that was done at pick up. You, or your representative, will then have an opportunity to inspect the vehicle to ensure its condition matches the condition outlined in the report.
If any damage is discovered, you'll make a note of it on the condition report immediately. Make sure you get a copy of the final signed condition report that notes any potential damage from the transport. Both the driver and you, or your representative, will have to sign the condition report again. It never hurts for you to take plenty of photos of your vehicle at pick up and delivery.
Please note: we do not cover any mechanical problems with your vehicle.
If any damage is discovered, you'll make a note of it on the condition report immediately. Make sure you get a copy of the final signed condition report that notes any potential damage from the transport. Both the driver and you, or your representative, will have to sign the condition report again. It never hurts for you to take plenty of photos of your vehicle at pick up and delivery.
Please note: we do not cover any mechanical problems with your vehicle.
Call : (888)712-2119
Address: 249 Central Park Avenue #300 Virginia Beach,VA,23462
Open Hours:
Mon – Sun: 24 / 7 Online Support
