What Can I Keep in My Car When it Ships?

What Can I Keep in My Car When it Ships_ Blog Image

One of the most common questions people ask when they’re preparing for car transport is if they can store personal items inside their vehicle. If you’re planning to move your vehicle, you may be thinking it makes perfect sense to throw in a few boxes of personal items to get the most bang for your buck and make room in the moving truck. However, there are a few reasons why this may not be a good idea, and in fact, many carriers won’t allow you to pack any personal items in your vehicle during the shipping process. 

There Is a Weight Limit 

As a rule of thumb, carriers that do allow you to pack non-valuable personal items in your vehicle during car transport require them to weigh under 100lbs. You will be charged an additional cost for extra weight. This is in part due to the weight limits that auto transport carriers have to abide by during the car transport process. If you do plan to include a few non-valuable personal items in your car, they must be packed either in the truck or below window level to avoid being a distraction for the driver. 

Higher Risk of Theft

Most auto carriers recommend removing all personal items when you move your vehicle—especially anything of value. Auto carriers will not be held liable if any of your items are lost, stolen, or damaged during the shipping process. If your vehicle is being shipped in an open carrier transport, this makes it more likely that your personal items could get stolen or damaged, which is why it’s recommended to avoid including personal items during car transport. 

Chances Increase of Damaging Your Vehicle 

If your car is broken into during the transport process, the auto carrier’s insurance will not cover the damages. You could also cause damage to the interior of the vehicle if you try to fit too many personal items inside your car. To avoid this, it’s best to ship all of your personal items in a moving truck and keep your vehicle empty during the car transport process. 

Metti International is here to answer all of your car transport-related questions. As a licensed and bonded broker with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, we only work with carriers with a 95% and above rating, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will be in good hand while it’s being transported. 

To schedule your car transport give Metti International a call today at 866.620.1776 or request a quote online. We look forward to serving you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most major credit cards, postal money orders and cashiers checks are acceptable forms of payment.

As with most transport services, a deposit is generally required when placing an order. Deposits range from 10-25 % of the total shipping cost. The remaining balance will be due upon delivery.

Most auto transport companies accept cash, certified checks, and postal money orders.

Coast to coast trips usually takes between 10-14 days. Shorter trips ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the actual distance. Some factors may delay a trip, including traffic, weather, and truck breakdowns.

Yes, we request you, or a designated person, be present upon pick up of your vehicle. For your safety and your vehicle’s safety, an inspection is performed and a bill of lading must be signed that serves as proof of delivery.

The easiest way to ship an inoperable vehicle is to let us know when requesting a vehicle transport quote. There will be an additional charge, plus loading and unloading charges to your quote, if we are not informed of the vehicle’s condition prior to quoting.

Auto carriers are not licensed to carry house goods or personal items, these goods and items are not covered by the carriers insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is also not covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle, are shipped strictly at the owners risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the vehicle and will assume no responsibility.

Your car is insured for the Blue Book value the entire time it is on the truck. Clearly listed on your Shipping Order, Agreement and Bill of Lading are occurrences not covered. At the time of pick up, a condition report is filled out and signed by both the person turning the car over and the truck driver and you are given a copy.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, this same report is presented. You should compare the condition of the vehicle to the report thoroughly at that time. If you feel damage has occurred to your vehicle during delivery, you must note it on the report before you sign it and the driver leaves. Damage done in transit does not relieve the shipper of paying for transport service performed. Claims will be handled by the vehicle carrier and insurance companies.

Metti International offers door-to-door auto transport service where possible. However, there are instances that we cannot collect/deliver directly to the door due to the size of our auto carrier’s trucks. The size of your street may prohibit direct delivery to your door. Also, some towns and cities do not allow trucks on their residential streets. If the carrier cannot get to your door, he will deliver your vehicle to the next most convenient accessible location, such as the nearest major crossing street, a shopping mall or supermarket.

Please have a no more than 1/4 tank of fuel, remove all personal items from your vehicle and have it washed and cleaned so that the ensuing inspection is easily performed. If it is a convertible, T-top, sunroof, etc. make sure all openings are closed and prepared for changing weather. You can find additional tips on how to prepare your car for transport here.