Car shipping service
Seasonal Car Shipping Insurance and Protection
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
Seasonal Car Shipping at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.70–$1.89 per mile
- Typical total
- $875 – $2,365
- Transit time
- 3–5 days
- Best for
- Snowbirds and students
Free · No obligation · About a minute
Get a seasonal car shipping quote
Liability coverage is required
Most for-hire interstate carriers must file at least $750,000 in liability coverage with the FMCSA.
Cargo coverage is set by the carrier
Ask for the certificate for each trip, including the return leg, which may use a different carrier.
Using a stand-in
If a neighbor or property manager receives the car, make sure they inspect it and note damage before signing.
Seasonal storage
If the car will sit for months after delivery, check that your own policy covers it while stored.
What's usually covered with seasonal car shipping
- Covered: Damage caused by the carrier during loading, transport or unloading
Often not covered
- Often not covered: Personal items left in the car
- Often not covered: Damage that existed before pickup
- Often not covered: Mechanical or electrical problems
- Often not covered: Damage not noted on the Bill of Lading at delivery
If your car is damaged
- Note the damage on the Bill of Lading before signing
- Photograph it with the driver present
- Tell the shipping company right away
- File a claim with the carrier or its insurer and keep all paperwork
You and the driver inspect the car at pickup and again at delivery. Note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign, and photograph it before the driver leaves.
How to check a company's coverage
- Ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance before pickup.
- Check the cargo limit covers your car's value, and ask about the deductible.
- Look up the company's USDOT number to confirm its authority and insurance on file.
- If you booked through a broker, confirm which carrier's policy applies.
Photos are your best evidence
Dated photos taken at pickup are your best evidence of the car's condition if you need to file a claim. It's also worth asking your own insurer whether your policy covers the car in transit.
Ready to ship your car with seasonal car shipping?
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