Enclosed Auto Transport - Maximum Protection for Your Vehicle
Enclosed auto transport shields your car from weather, road debris, and prying eyes during shipping - perfect for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles. We've been moving cars safely in enclosed trailers since 2015, with full insurance coverage up to $250,000 per vehicle.
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How Does Enclosed Auto Transport Work?
Enclosed auto transport uses fully covered trailers that protect your vehicle from weather, road debris, and theft during shipping. Your car rides inside a hard-sided or soft-sided trailer with 2-10 other vehicles, completely shielded from the elements.
Here's the thing - most enclosed carriers are smaller operations with 2-6 car capacity trailers, not the massive 8-10 car open haulers you see everywhere. This means more personalized service but longer pickup windows since there are fewer enclosed carriers on the road.
We work with a network of 847 licensed enclosed carriers across the country, so we can find availability even on tough routes like auto transport in Toledo to remote locations. The process is identical to open transport - we book your shipment, arrange pickup, and deliver door-to-door.
Why Choose Enclosed Auto Transport Over Open Carrier?
The extra protection is worth it for vehicles over $40,000, classics, exotics, or anything you can't easily replace. We've seen hail damage total a $65,000 BMW on an open carrier - that same car would've been untouched in enclosed transport.
Enclosed trailers offer complete weather protection, theft deterrent (nobody can see what's inside), and reduced mileage exposure since your car isn't visible to potential buyers at truck stops. Plus, enclosed carriers typically handle fewer vehicles with more care.
Real talk - if you're shipping a daily driver Honda Civic, stick with open transport and save the money. But for that restored '67 Mustang or your brand-new Tesla Model S Plaid? Enclosed is the only way we'd ship our own cars. Our Classic Car Shipping service exclusively uses enclosed trailers for this exact reason.
How Much Does Enclosed Auto Transport Cost?
Enclosed auto transport costs $1,200-$2,800 for most routes, typically 40-60% more than open carrier pricing. A standard sedan from Los Angeles to Chicago runs $1,450-$1,650 enclosed versus $950-$1,200 open.
Distance drives the base cost, but enclosed pricing fluctuates more than open transport due to limited carrier availability. Popular routes like California to Florida stay relatively stable, while shipping to smaller cities can spike 25-30% during peak season (summer months).
Here's what affects your quote: vehicle size (trucks cost more), pickup flexibility (exact dates cost extra), seasonal demand, and fuel prices. We've seen the same route vary $400 between February and July just due to snowbird migration and college moves. Get this - expedited enclosed service can run $2,000-$4,500 for cross-country shipments when you need it fast.
What's the Timeline for Enclosed Auto Transport?
Enclosed auto transport takes 7-14 days for most cross-country routes, about 2-4 days longer than open carrier service. The pickup window is typically 3-7 days due to fewer available carriers and smaller trailer capacity.
Coast-to-coast shipments average 10-12 days, while regional moves (500-800 miles) usually complete in 4-6 days. Weather delays hit enclosed carriers harder since they can't risk expensive cargo in severe conditions - we've seen ice storms add 3-4 days to winter shipments.
The thing most customers don't expect? Enclosed carriers often deliver faster once pickup happens because they're running premium service with priority scheduling. But finding that initial carrier slot takes patience, especially for our Cross Country Car Shipping routes during peak season.
Who Should Use Enclosed Auto Transport?
Enclosed transport makes sense for vehicles worth $40,000+, classics, exotics, luxury cars, and anything irreplaceable. We regularly ship Porsches, Ferraris, restored muscle cars, and high-end luxury vehicles for customers who want maximum protection.
It's also smart for long-distance moves where your car faces multiple climate zones - think shipping from humid Florida to dry Arizona where temperature swings could affect paint or interior. Corporate executives shipping luxury vehicles and collectors moving show cars almost always choose enclosed.
Here's who shouldn't pay extra: daily drivers under $25,000, pickup trucks (they're built tough anyway), and customers on tight budgets shipping reliable transportation. Save the money and use open transport unless your car has sentimental or significant financial value. Even our team drives regular cars on open carriers - we reserve enclosed for the special stuff.
Insurance Coverage and Safety Guarantees
Every enclosed shipment includes our carrier's cargo insurance plus our supplemental coverage up to $250,000 per vehicle - significantly higher than the $100,000-$150,000 most enclosed carriers provide alone. This covers damage, theft, and total loss during transport.
Enclosed carriers maintain higher safety standards with CDL drivers averaging 12+ years experience versus 6-8 years for open carrier drivers. The equipment costs more ($180,000-$300,000 per trailer) so these operators take fewer risks and maintain their rigs carefully.
We guarantee pickup within your confirmed window or we'll expedite at no extra charge. Damage claims are rare (less than 0.2% of shipments) but when they happen, enclosed transport claims process faster since there's clear cause determination. Our claims team has handled everything from minor scratches to complete trailer fires - we'll fight the insurance companies for you.
How It Works
Get Your Enclosed Transport Quote
Call (310) 906-4841 or request online quote with vehicle details, pickup/delivery locations, and preferred timeline. We'll provide enclosed carrier options and pricing within 30 minutes.
Book and Schedule Pickup
Reserve your spot with our dispatch team. We'll assign a licensed enclosed carrier and provide pickup window (typically 3-7 days) with driver contact info 24 hours before arrival.
Vehicle Inspection and Loading
Driver conducts thorough pre-transport inspection, documenting existing damage with photos. Your car is carefully loaded using hydraulic lift gates to prevent scraping or damage.
Delivery and Final Inspection
Upon delivery, inspect your vehicle with the driver before signing the bill of lading. Report any concerns immediately - our claims team handles everything from there.
Enclosed vs Open Auto Transport Comparison
| Feature | Enclosed Transport | Open Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Weather Protection | Complete coverage | Exposed to elements |
| Theft Protection | Fully concealed | Visible to everyone |
| Cost Range | $1,200-$2,800 | $500-$1,400 |
| Pickup Time | 3-7 days | 1-5 days |
| Transit Time | 7-14 days | 5-10 days |
| Carrier Availability | Limited options | Abundant options |
| Vehicle Capacity | 2-6 cars per trailer | 7-10 cars per trailer |
| Best For | Luxury, classic, exotic | Daily drivers, reliable cars |
Most enclosed carriers are owner-operators running 1-3 trucks, not big fleet companies. This means better care (it's their livelihood) but less flexibility on scheduling. Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season (May-September) because these guys fill up fast and won't compromise their equipment for rush jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.