When shipping your car, it’s not uncommon for customers to wonder if they can load up the vehicle with personal items to save on moving costs. While this might seem like a great idea, there are important things to consider when it comes to loading up a car for transport.
What Are the Rules?
Generally, most carriers are okay with customers placing up to 100 lbs of personal belongings in the vehicle, but it’s crucial to discuss this with your broker before booking. Your broker will communicate this to the carrier to ensure there are no surprises. If the carrier arrives to pick up the car and sees unexpected items, they may use this as leverage to increase the price, knowing that the customer is eager to get the vehicle shipped.
Why Do Carriers Care About Extra Weight?
Auto transport carriers are primarily focused on moving vehicles safely and efficiently, not acting as moving services for personal belongings. The reason carriers limit the amount of weight inside the car is that extra weight affects multiple aspects of transport:
Safety: Extra weight in the vehicle can impact the car’s balance on the truck, potentially creating safety hazards during loading, unloading, or even while driving. It can also change the way the car is secured to the transport truck.
Fuel Efficiency: More weight means the carrier burns more fuel, which cuts into their profit margins, especially on long hauls. This can be a factor when negotiating for extra items in your car.
Weight Limits at Weigh Stations: Commercial carriers are subject to strict weight limits, and every pound counts when they stop at weigh stations. Overloading a vehicle could put the carrier at risk of fines, delays, or needing to unload items to comply with regulations.
Avoid Last-Minute Surprises
One of the biggest risks of not disclosing items in your car is that the carrier might demand more money upon seeing them. It can create an uncomfortable situation where, because your car is already scheduled for transport, the carrier knows they have the upper hand. It’s always better to be upfront, allowing your broker to negotiate any additional fees ahead of time.
What Happens if You Don’t Tell the Carrier?
If you try to sneak extra items into the vehicle without informing the broker or the carrier, you’re risking more than just a price hike. Carriers have the right to refuse to transport your vehicle altogether if they feel it violates their safety standards or contractual terms. This could result in frustrating delays or the need to scramble for a different transport option.
On the other hand, if the carrier decides to continue with the shipment despite the undisclosed items, they may demand a higher fee on the spot. This fee could end up being more expensive than what you would have paid if you had been upfront from the start. As a rule of thumb, transparency is always in your best interest when shipping a car.
Negotiating for More Items
If you need to move more than just a few personal items, you can often negotiate with the carrier. Paying an additional $200 to $300 to transport extra belongings might be more convenient and cost-effective than paying for a separate moving service. However, remember that none of these personal items will be insured or covered under the carrier’s cargo insurance. So, it’s best to avoid shipping anything of significant value inside the vehicle.
The Insurance Factor: Your Belongings Are Not Covered
One of the most important points to remember when shipping personal items in your vehicle is that those items won’t be covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. Cargo insurance is designed to protect the car itself, not the things inside it. If you decide to ship personal belongings in the vehicle, you assume all risk for loss, theft, or damage to those items.
That’s why, if you do decide to include items in your vehicle, it’s best to avoid anything of high value, sentimental importance, or easily damaged. Consider packing lightweight, low-value items that are securely stowed in the trunk or out of sight to minimize risk.
How to Safely Pack Your Items
If you do plan to include personal belongings in your car, it’s important to pack them properly:
Use the Trunk or Cargo Area: Always store items in the trunk or cargo area of the vehicle. This keeps them out of sight and doesn’t interfere with the driver’s line of sight if the car needs to be moved.
Secure Loose Items: Any items inside the car should be securely packed to prevent shifting during transport. Loose items in the passenger compartment could be damaged or cause damage to the vehicle’s interior.
Avoid Fragile or High-Value Items: As mentioned, carriers won’t insure personal belongings. Don’t risk shipping anything fragile, valuable, or irreplaceable.
Keep It Light: Stick to the 100 lb. guideline for personal belongings. Overloading the car can lead to extra fees and potential problems with transport.
Alternatives to Shipping Personal Items in Your Car
If you have a lot of personal belongings to move and are concerned about the risks or costs of shipping them in your car, consider alternatives:
Hire a Moving Company: For large amounts of personal items, a professional moving company may be a better option. They offer insurance coverage for your belongings and specialize in transporting household goods.
Ship Items Separately: If you have valuable or important items, you can always ship them separately via a service like UPS or FedEx. This ensures they’re properly insured and can be tracked throughout the shipping process.
Final Thoughts
While carriers may allow some personal belongings, it’s essential to communicate with your broker to avoid unexpected costs and ensure a smooth transport. If you need to move a larger amount of belongings, discuss it upfront, and be aware that these items won’t be covered by insurance. Sometimes, negotiating a higher price with the carrier can be worth it for the convenience—but always weigh the risks.
In short, packing your car with personal items for transport is doable, but it comes with limitations and risks. Open communication with your broker and proper planning will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and there are no unwelcome surprises.
Why Choose Simple Car Shipping?
At Simple Car Shipping, we understand the complexities and nuances of auto transport, including the specifics around shipping personal items in your vehicle. With years of experience, we prioritize transparency and clear communication to ensure there are no surprises. Whether you’re shipping a car with a few personal belongings or need assistance negotiating with carriers for more flexibility, we’ve got you covered. Our commitment to honesty and customer satisfaction means you’ll always know exactly what to expect, and we work hard to find the best transport solutions for your needs. Trust Simple Car Shipping to handle your vehicle and any extra items with care and integrity.
Some references:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – The FMCSA regulates the safety of commercial carriers, including auto transporters, and has strict guidelines on weight limits and cargo safety. You could reference their guidelines on weight and safety limits for commercial vehicles.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) – The DOT oversees the general safety regulations for commercial transport, including vehicle weight standards and operational safety.
American Automobile Association (AAA) – AAA often advises consumers on best practices for transporting vehicles and the risks associated with loading personal items into a vehicle during auto transport.
Insurance Information Institute (III) – You can reference general insurance guidelines that explain what is and isn’t covered during auto transport, particularly when it comes to personal items.
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) – The GSA provides guidelines for shipping vehicles in federal moves, including information on the insurance coverage of personal belongings within vehicles during transport.
Author: Drew Levine Owner of Simple Car Shipping LLC