It’s reasonable to ask if you can put stuff in your car when you ship it. After all, doesn’t it make sense to put all that empty space to good use? If you’re transporting your car because you’re moving, it can be tempting to fill your vehicle with stuff so you can save room on the moving truck – and maybe even save some bucks. But first, find out the legalities, the dos and don’ts of putting stuff inside your car for shipping, and what it may cost.
The Legality of Shipping Items in Your Car
Vehicle transport companies are not licensed to carry personal household items and most prefer not to ship cars with personal items inside. But each company has its own rules.
- Some allow personal belongings if your car is being shipped within state lines.
- Some states fine transporters who ship vehicles with personal belongings inside. If the truck is inspected at a weigh station, the transporter can be fined and expected to remove personal items from inside cars. If this is the case, you’ll likely never see that stuff again.
- Some transport companies allow personal belongings up to a total weight not to exceed 100 pounds. If your belongings are over 100 pounds, the driver may refuse to accept your vehicle or will charge additional fees.
- Some companies only allow personal items in the trunk, not in the passenger compartment.
If your vehicle transport company allows you to put personal items inside your car, they very likely won’t provide insurance coverage if anything is stolen or your car is damaged during a break-in.
The Bottom Line
If you hope to put stuff in your car when it’s shipped, be sure to check with your chosen transport company well ahead of the shipping day. It’s best to get their regulations in writing to avoid confusion or dispute.
Reasons Not to Ship Personal Belongings in Your Vehicle
Even if your auto transporter gives you the green light, there are still some reasons you should NOT ship personal belongings in your vehicle.
Weight
Your overall shipping charges are based in part on the make and model of your vehicle. The make and model determine the weight of your automobile. If you add stuff to ship inside the car, this increases the weight and can increase the shipping amount.
Theft
When you put stuff in your car, especially stuff that can be seen, you increase the risk of theft. This is especially true for long transport trips where the truck and trailer driver must stop for fuel, rest, meals, and sleep. Although the driver is trained to protect the vehicles on the trailer, the chance of theft increases if someone with bad intentions sees stuff in a vehicle. Therefore, if you’re going to put stuff in your car when it’s being shipped, be sure the items aren’t irreplaceable, valuable, or tempting. Big fluffy items like pillows, linens, clothes, and such can be stuffed into the trunk without too much worry.
Damage to Your Car
If someone breaks into your car to steal your stuff, they’ll likely damage the car in the process. Broken windows, pried open locks – this type of damage won’t be covered by insurance.
No Insurance
Any reputable car transport company carries insurance to cover damage to your car in transport but many stipulate that their insurance will not cover items inside your vehicle.
Guidelines for Packing Stuff in Your Car When Shipping It
If you still want to load your car up before it ships, here are some tips on how to pack it:
Do:
- Keep everything out of sight. If the transport company allows you to ship your car with stuff in it, they require that you keep items below the window line and inside the trunk. Some vehicle transport companies only allow you to to pack things in the trunk where they’re completely out of sight.
- Keep the weight of the stuff you put in your car to under 100 pounds. Items over 100 pounds will either be rejected or you’ll be charged for additional weight.
- Keep the driver’s seat and space clear. This space needs to be kept open because your car will be driven on and off the trailer.
- Keep everyone in the loop. Well before transport day, inform the driver and the transport company if you’ll be leaving anything in the car that isn’t factory-installed or isn’t attached.
Don’t:
- Put stuff in the bed of your pick-up truck. You are not allowed to put stuff in the bed, even if it’s strapped down.
- Don’t ship fragile items unless they’re extra-carefully packed. Remember, belongings you place inside your car aren’t insured.
- Place high-value items inside your car – no cash, no jewelry, no electronics, and such.
- Don’t ship non-permitted items. It’s illegal to put prescription medications, illegal substances, alcohol, firearms, flammable or toxic items such as paint, pesticides, gas cylinders, oil, fuel, explosives, and such inside your car.
Finding the Best Vehicle Transport Companies
Now that you know the dos and don’ts of putting stuff in your car when you ship it, Caravan Auto Transport can connect you with the best vehicle transport companies in the biz. Our stringent vetting process weeds out the companies that aren’t reputable, so when you get a fast, free quote, you’re connected with top-rated companies you can trust. When you decide which company is best for you, be sure to chat with a customer service representative about their regulations regarding putting stuff in your car when it’s shipped.
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