Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
When moving to another state with the car being shipped ahead, many people use the opportunity to pack the auto with personal belongings to save on some of their moving expenses.
Many auto transport providers have stringent guidelines on shipping vehicles with items inside. Find a guide to shipping your car with personal items inside at alittlecampy.
The possibility for damage not only to the packed possessions but also to the car can be high, with the containers shifting and moving inside, leaving the car owner at risk of loss. Personal items are not covered expenses under the shipping service insurance coverage.
When transporting a vehicle to another state or across the country, the shipper aims to do so as safely and securely as possible. With added cargo, the process can be more difficult, so most auto transport companies require that vehicles be emptied of their contents before the car can be loaded onto the trailer.
Some shippers will allow up to a certain weight, usually 100 pounds, in the vehicle if the contents are secured and in adequate containers like a suitcase placed in either the trunk or hatch or in the interior below the view of the window.
Can You Pack Things in A Car Being Shipped to Another State
The DOT- Department of Transportation places rules on car shipping services that stipulate that no car can be transported with personal belongings inside the vehicle.
Many auto transport companies follow these guidelines, but some car shipping services permit you to ship your car to another state when specific requirements are followed.
These differ for each service provider, but many fundamental details are comparable. Here are some criteria to consider for transporting personal belongings in your vehicle when shipping from one state to the next.
The weight
Vehicles are commonly on an open transport trailer, with roughly ten other vehicles when shipped. That’s a considerable amount of weight to haul for the carrier. Often, the weight is checked at certain stations to ensure the driver doesn’t exceed their allowed limit.
If the trailer goes beyond what’s allowed, the driver will receive fines and penalties for a load that’s too heavy. Because of this possibility, most shippers follow the DOT guidelines, disallowing car owners from packing cars with personal belongings, which could cause the carrier to exceed the weight limit.
Some auto transport companies will assign a certain weight for each car that the owner can’t exceed when packing items in the vehicle. Most who allow personal items in the car will limit the weight to 100 pounds or less. If a car shipper allows you to pack your vehicle, you can expect to pay considerably for the benefit.
Improper packing
Having a vehicle shipped on a trailer is different than driving. That means the shifting, sliding, movements, and vibrations will be more intense.
When the items in the car aren’t secure, the extreme motions can mean heavy containers have the potential to create damage to the car’s interior, not to mention the contents of the boxes.
Remember, the insurance offered by the carrier won’t cover damage incurred to the vehicle by these packed boxes while the car is in transit, nor will it be responsible for any personal items damaged or lost on the journey. Click for things to consider before hiring an auto transport service.
Theft
The driver will take rest and food breaks periodically, particularly when driving from one state to the next, with the trailer and its contents left alone at these times. The vehicles are at the mercy of intrusion, with potential vandalism and theft.
While there’s always the possibility of breaking into the trailers, the likelihood is minimal that thieves will do so. If it were to happen, valuable items and priceless objects have a greater chance of being stolen. It’s suggested that nothing of value be packed in a car that will be shipped.
If there’s a loss, it’s unlikely that these will be recovered. These can include electronics like laptops, mobiles, tablets, televisions, custom or personalized items, jewelry, heirlooms, and on.
Final Thought
Guidelines stipulate that car owners do not pack their vehicles when shipping them to another state. Some auto transport companies will permit personal belongings up to a specific weight of roughly 100 pounds as long as items are out of public view.
This means keeping the containers or suitcases in the truck or hatch or securing them below the window view. Most car shipping services offer insurance for cars while in transit; personal belongings are not part of this coverage. Any damage created or loss will be the car owner’s responsibility.
Shipping personal items with your vehicle is typically not advised when moving to another state. The risks outweigh the benefits.
