Frequently Asked Questions about Enclosed Auto Transport

Questions once you have an order booked to ship your car with Intercity Lines:

Q: Can I put personal items in the car with Intercity Lines?

A: Yes, but we need access to the driver’s side seat and must be able to see out the windows. Items must be limited to 100lbs due to weight regulations. Since our insurance only covers your vehicle, we cannot be responsible for items that become lost or damaged during transport. Illegal, flammable, hazardous, and dangerous items are not allowed in the vehicles.

Q: What forms of payment does Intercity Lines accept?

A: Intercity Lines accepts MasterCard, Visa, cashiers check, E-Check, and cash. For credit card payments, we require the cardholder signature on file. Our credit card payment form: Credit Card Authorization Form or sign right from your phone or computer with our electronic signature form: Intercity Lines Payment Authorization Form

Q: How can I prep my car for transport?

A: Before having your car shipped you want to ensure there is enough fuel in the vehicle to drive on and off the trailer; the typical rule of thumb is a quarter of a tank. You also want to clean your vehicle, so the driver can easily and accurately inspect your vehicle. If your car is dirty and the driver is unable to inspect certain areas accurately, it becomes harder to prove transport damage occurred or not because the inspection will say “to dirty to inspect” in that area. You also want to ensure you have taken your EZ-Pass or other toll transmitters out of your car along with any valuables. You may leave up to 100 lbs of items your vehicle, but Intercity Lines is not liable for those items and request that they do not block the front seats or view out of the windows. For more information read Things to Do Before Shipping a Car

Q: What are your auto transport drivers trained to do to ensure the vehicle isn’t damaged?

A: Intercity Line’s auto transport Drivers are trained to carefully look over a car before it is loaded to note any scratch, ding, dent. Anything and everything to acknowledge the condition of the car before it is loaded. The drivers are trained in proper tie down techniques, to use two car covers on every car, and know where to position cars to make the safest ride across the country.

Questions about our auto transport services:

Q: Do you transport motorcycles?

A: Yes, enclosed transport is available for motorcycles including sidecars, tricycles and other custom motorcycles. Our drivers are highly skilled in hauling motorcycles. Motorcycles can be transported as is as long as they roll. Motorcycles do not need to be crated or anything of the sort to be transported. They are also fully covered by our $2 million worth of cargo insurance with 0 deductible to you.

Q: Do you offer open car transport?

A: No.We only offer enclosed transport due to the risks that come with open transport.

Q: What level of insurance does Intercity Lines carry?

A: Intercity Lines carries $2 million worth of cargo insurance with zero deductible to you. An insurance certificate is available upon request.

Q: Do you have terminals?

A: No. Our only warehouse is in Brookfield, MA. Our service is door-to-door (some restrictions apply).

You can learn more about our enclosed auto transport services at: Guide to Shipping a Car with Intercity Lines

First time shipping a car? Questions about the auto transport industry:

Q: Why should I choose an enclosed auto transport?

A: The most significant benefits with enclosed transport are: the vehicle is inside away from the elements, there’s greater security, a soft tie down system gives more peace of mind as there is no hardware near the car itself, and reputable enclosed auto transport companies are the most skilled and careful in the auto transport industry.

Q: Is dealing directly with a specialty car hauler with its own drivers more preferable than working with a company that is a broker, who may farm out shipping to third party carriers?

A: Dealing directly with the carrier allows customers to get direct answers regarding vehicle handling, timing, and most importantly, driver contact. You can read more about types of auto transport companies at Auto Transport: Types of Companies

Most reputable carriers do not require a deposit, whereas brokers normally charge a deposit. When you deal directly with the carrier they do not broker it out, so the customer knows exactly who is hauling the vehicle, and with what type of equipment.

INTERCITY LINES does not contract or broker any orders; we haul all cars we book with our drivers and our trucks.

You can read more at Auto Transport: Types of Companies and Be Wary of Auto Transport Brokers

Q: Enclosed carriers are known to have higher costs than open carriers but what would you tell a classic car owner about the added value they get with enclosed?

A: There is greater security, no exposure to the elements, higher insurance coverage, more competent drivers, better equipment, and the ability to ship additional parts.

Q: How should classic car owners research reputable shipping companies?

A: We recommend independent websites like transportreviews.com; websites like this allow people to report and review carriers of all sorts with experiences good and bad. We cover researching shipping companies in more depth here: How to Research an Auto Transport Company

Q: What specific car hauler trailer features should car owners look for to help avoid damage during loading/hauling/unloading?

A: Customers should look for lift gate loading, drip barriers in between decks (if it is a stacking trailer), nylon wheel saddles for tie downs, plastic covers for the seat and floor mats, and the driver covers your car with at least a cloth car cover.

Q: What is the cheapest car transportation service?

A: The cheapest car transportation services are open car transport with a lesser reputable company. These companies are on websites like uship.com where carriers with small customer bases are bidding for your business. These competitive marketplaces offer some of the lowest cost for transporting your vehicle, but carry the most significant risk to your car. Some of those risks are your vehicle is exposed to the elements, debris, and other road hazards along with those companies tend to have significantly lesser insurance coverage, less experienced drivers, and they typically use chains to secure your vehicles. We cover these companies more in Price of Shipping a Car and Be Wary of Auto Transport Brokers

Q: What’s the best way to ship a car?

A: The best way to ship a car is with a reputable enclosed auto transport company like Intercity Lines. Intercity Lines has nearly 40 years of experience shipping the world’s rarest and most valuable cars. This experience combined with our top of the line enclosed trailers makes us the best way to ship a car.

If you still have questions on shipping a car, please read 10 things to know when shipping a car and Tips for Shipping a Classic Car

Q: Does my car or motorcycle need to be insured to ship it?

A: No. Once the vehicle is loaded on to our trailer it’s covered under our $2 million dollars cargo insurance until safely delivered. If we are unable to get our 100 foot long car carriers to the pick up and/or delivery location you will be responsible for getting it to our lift-gate, which having it insured may help you drive it to us. Also, if the vehicle is above our cargo insurance limit you may want to have it additionally insured.

Q: Are personal items in the car insured?

A: No. We do not take responsibility for any items in the vehicle nor do we inspect the contents of the vehicle, so they are not covered under our insurance or are we liable for their condition throughout the vehicle’s transport.

What type of vehicles can Intercity Lines Ship?

Q: Can I ship a Golf Cart enclosed?

A: Yes, we can assist transporting all types of Golf Carts with our nationwide enclosed auto transport services. Please use our Instant Quote Calculator to get a quote instantly to ship your golf cart nationwide.

Q: Can I ship a car with a roof rack in your enclosed trailers?

A: Yes, we are able to ship cars with roof racks. Depending on the overall height of the vehicle being transported with the roof rack it may affect the price to ship the car. It’s important to let our team know about the roof rack and overall height when booking the order to ensure accurate pricing. If using our Instant Quote calculator you would check that the vehicle is not stock and make a comment about the Roof Rack. Our team will then contact you to confirm the details and the cost to ship the car.

Q: Can I ship a vehicle with a lift kit and oversize tires enclosed?

A: Yes, we are able to ship vehicles that are modified with lift kits and oversize tires. Please inform us of the modifications when booking your order by noting that the vehicle is not stock and explain it’s modifications when receiving your instant car shipping quote. Depending on the height it may affect the price and availability.

Q: Can I ship a vehicle to or from an auto auction?

A: Yes, Intercity Lines has worked with America’s top auto auction companies for decades and will ensure seamless transport to and from the auto auction. When booking your order please notify us of the auction, lot #, and any timing windows required by the auto auction company. Our expert team will take it from their and will ensure the vehicle is moved on time and handled with white gloves.

Q: Can I ship a car to or from a U.S. Port or Airport?

A: Yes our drivers routinely pick up and deliver at America’s biggest ports and airports. They have the required TWIC cards & TSA certifications and are accustomed to port and airport operations.

Read more car shipping tips!