“Is it safe to ship a car?” is a question you might ask yourself when you’re relocating, moving for work, buying/selling a car online, or heading south for the winter. The good news is that car shipping is safe, particularly when choosing a specialist such as Passport Transport.
As a highly rated carrier, we offer your vehicle the highest level of protection. Our custom-built enclosed trailers are designed to protect your car from the weather, dust, road debris, and unwanted attention. Each trailer is well-equipped with liftgates, soft tie-downs, and climate control options to ensure your vehicle arrives in the same condition as it was picked up.
If you’re wondering, “How safe is it to ship a car?” rest assured — enclosed shipping solutions like ours are designed to protect your vehicle at every step. With air-ride suspension, liftgate loading, soft tie-downs, and real-time tracking, companies like Passport Transport go above and beyond to protect your car during shipping.
Keep reading to learn more about what makes car shipping safe, available shipping methods, top safety features to look for, and much more.
Is shipping a car safe? Although there are levels of safety, depending on who’s shipping your car and the type of transport you’ve chosen. The industry has come on in leaps and bounds recently, but there are still potential risks you should be aware of.
The risks mentioned above are significantly reduced if you work with a professional transporter like Passport Transport. Safe shipping practices that are common with such operators include:
Enclosed auto transport is statistically safer than open car transport for shipping classic, luxury, or exotic vehicles because it offers complete protection from the elements and prying eyes.
Your two main shipping methods are open and enclosed, both of which have pros and cons, especially in terms of safety.
Generally, open transport is safe, but your car is more exposed to the weather, dirt, dust, and road grime. Compare that with driving on the road, and the risks are much the same.
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re the proud owner of a valuable, exotic, classic, or antique car, you’re not driving it every day and probably choose to head out on perfect roads when the sun is shining. For you, enclosed transport is the safer option because the trailers provide maximum protection and are weatherproof.
Pros:
Cons:
Reputable transporters make sure your vehicles are handled with care by following safe car shipping practices and standards. To protect your car during shipping, they go the extra mile with the following:
Here at Passport Transport, all these procedures are standard. Plus, we take things one step further to provide the ultimate in enclosed car shipping safety. For example, we offer a white-glove service, including climate-controlled enclosed trailers. Our auto transport services are perfect for classic, luxury, or vintage cars. We handle every detail with care and make safety a top priority from pick-up to delivery.
There are some things to consider when answering the question is it safe to ship a car and find the best transporter. A reputable company takes the safety of its customers’ cars seriously, making it a priority and using techniques and features that minimize risk.
Top safety features to look for include:
If you want to protect your car during shipping, choose a company that offers all the above, just like Passport Transport. The equipment and protocols followed offer peace of mind and the best possible protection for every vehicle transported.
Choosing a reliable carrier is key to ensuring car shipping safety. However, there are also some things you can do to improve your experience further. Part of the answer to the question “Is it safe to ship a car?” lies in the preparation.
If you want to help protect your car during shipping, take the following steps:
When the carrier arrives to collect your car, they need to conduct a visual inspection of the vehicle with you. Any existing damage found is recorded on the Bill of Lading. If your car is clean it makes the inspection process much easier. Any dings, dents, scratches, or paint chips will be easy to spot. Make a note of any damage ahead of time so you don’t feel rushed by the driver.
Take clear, good-quality, and dated pictures of your clean and shiny vehicle. Include general photos from various angles as well as close-ups of any damaged areas. Take as many as you feel necessary, but remember there’s no such thing as too many. Some carriers also take photos, but this isn’t something you can rely on.
To prevent damage to the interior of your vehicle, remove any items not secured such as phone holders, car chargers, portable DVD players, GPS devices, air fresheners, and loose change. Your car may bounce around a little during transport, causing any loose items to bounce around and possibly cause damage.
You should remove accessories such as ski racks, bike racks, custom spoilers, or antennae to prevent damage. Also, fold in your side view mirrors if possible.
The battery in a standard car should be fully charged and secure. Check there’s anti-freeze in the radiator and that the tires are correctly inflated. If you’re shipping an electric vehicle, the battery should be at a 30% state of charge.
There should be no fluid leaks. However, if you spot some, try to get them fixed before the carrier picks up your vehicle. If the leak is minor and you haven’t got time to fix it, be sure to let the driver know.
If you’re not sure about the condition of your vehicle, have a mechanic check it over and fix any mechanical or engine problems. If your car is not running, you must inform the carrier as soon as possible because they’ll need to organize the correct equipment to load and unload your vehicle.
You only really need enough gas in the tank for it to drive on and off the trailer. It’s best to have a 1/4 tank or less, but don’t worry about draining it if it’s more than that.
The driver might not be able to get to your car alarms easily if they happen to be activated, so it’s best to disable them.
Toll tags will still pick up fees when your car is on a trailer. So, to avoid any unnecessary expenses or headaches, deactivate or remove your toll tags.
The auto transport drivers need your car keys when it comes to getting it on and off the trailer. For older models, a door lock key and ignition key might be required. A spare set of keys would be useful to have, so try and get this sorted before they collect your vehicle.
Passport Transport exemplifies how safety-driven practices make a real difference. Our services are trusted by car collectors, major OEMs, and even museums and we’re known for handling rare and high-value vehicles with unmatched respect and care. With over 40 years of experience in providing premium enclosed car shipping, you can expect a service that goes beyond industry standards.
Our safety-first approach includes:
Shipping your car tends to be safer, especially if you choose enclosed transport. It avoids wear and tear, exposure to the elements, and accidents.
Damage could happen, but it’s extremely rare. To improve car shipping safety, always choose a reputable company and the enclosed transport option.
If you’re shipping a regular car, open car transport is generally the better option because it’s more than safe enough and more cost-effective. Enclosed transport is best for classic, luxury, exotic, antique, or custom vehicles.
Carriers licensed with the DOT provide basic cargo insurance for coverage. However, we recommend you confirm the policy limits and consider purchasing additional insurance coverage for high-value vehicles.
Yes, it will, provided you’ve chosen a trusted carrier like Passport Transport.
So, is it safe to ship a car? Our answer is yes, especially when you work with a reputable carrier and take the time to prepare your vehicle properly. There are minimal risks involved with shipping your car, but you can easily avoid them when you choose professionals who prioritize safety.
At Passport Transport, we’ve spent more than 40 years honing our services and approach to safe car shipping. We offer climate-controlled enclosed trailers and custom loading equipment together with highly trained experts and real-time tracking.
Count on us to protect your car during shipping and to go above and beyond for your most prized possession.
Request a quote today and let us move your car safely.
With over 55 years of trusted service, Passport Transport is the leader in enclosed auto shipping. We’re committed to delivering your vehicle safely, securely, and on time – every time. Get your free quote today and ship with confidence.
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