Are you considering shipping a vehicle with personal belongings? You’re not alone. Many choose car transport with personal items when moving to a new city, starting a new job in another state, or simply looking for the easiest option to move everything at once.
However, the rules on personal property you can ship vary by transport company. Some allow cars with packed items; others ban auto transport of personal property for safety or insurance reasons. Knowing these rules and preparing your vehicle properly helps you avoid delays, unexpected costs, or surprises.
Read on to learn about what’s allowed, what to leave behind, and the step-by-step process of preparing your car for transport.
Industry Regulations on Shipping Personal Items in a Vehicle
Shipping a car with belongings inside might seem like an easy option, but if you’re transporting in the United States, there are particular regulations and hazards to be aware of. For starters, rules developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) primarily govern carriers when it comes to transporting a car with personal items. These rules have a direct impact on the policies of auto transport carriers regarding what they permit inside your vehicle.
FMCSA Rules and Restrictions
FMCSA regulations do not authorise auto transport carriers to move vehicles containing personal items. Doing so puts the airline in violation of federal rules. If law enforcement or inspectors detect these belongings during transport, the carrier could face fines, inspections, or delays.
The agency clearly distinguishes between shipping a vehicle and transporting personal goods. Moving personal items falls under a different type of licensing with its own set of regulations. In short, the law treats them as separate services, and carriers must have the proper license for each.
Why do most carriers restrict personal belongings?
You may wonder why most auto carriers do not allow personal belongings in auto transport (or at least restrict them). Consider these factors based on FMCSA car shipping rules:
Safety concerns
Cars are not designed to carry heavy or loose items while driving. Items within the vehicle may bang against the interior, potentially scratching the car. In addition, personal items in the vehicle can affect the weight distribution within the carrier truck.
Weight considerations
Carriers are typically supported by regulations that set a strict weight limit that must be adhered to as outlined by the laws of the state. Personal belongings can impact regulations applicable to trucks and trailers. Beyond this, additional weight can also affect the fuel consumption of the carrier.
Risks of theft
Visible objects inside the vehicle can lead to theft when the car is parked or being transported to its destination.
Company-specific restrictions
Although carriers may establish policies and restrictions for various reasons, to minimise the risk of item loss or damage within the vehicle, many carriers will allow a standard allowance of up to 100 lbs. of items within the car. Also, carriers will often require that items be stored within the trunk, under the line of windows, and be secured or locked.
It’s crucial to note that while some carriers may allow a standard allowance of up to 100 lbs. Of items within the car, they may have their specific policies. Therefore, it’s essential to confirm what you are allowed to load inside your car. This knowledge will make you feel informed and prepared for your vehicle shipment.
Liability and Insurance Implications
Even with some carriers that may allow personal items, the truth is that the carrier’s liability and insurance under an auto transport policy will not provide coverage for items inside a vehicle. In short, if the airlines lose or damage a personal item during transport, they are unlikely to be liable for the lost items.
For this reason, carriers will refuse to provide coverage for personal items, and it’s in their best interest to do so. Often, individual items can be worth thousands of dollars, and it’s expected that consumers will accept this type of risk.
Given the carrier’s refusal to provide coverage for personal items, it’s in your best interest to consider additional insurance. Dealing with possible theft, vandalism, or loss of personal items inside a car is best handled by the customer. For this purpose, many shippers opt to purchase coverage through their homeowners’ policy or purchase storage or property insurance through a third party. This additional insurance will make you feel secure and protected during the shipping process.
What You Can Typically Include in a Vehicle?
When it comes to shipping your vehicle, most transport companies allow a limited amount of personal belongings inside the car to help ease your move, but there are rules you should abide by.
Common policies
Most carriers allow little in terms of personal items, usually under 100 pounds in total. Any personal items allowed must be stored in safe areas, such as the trunk or below the window line. This prevents damage to the vehicle and helps keep the car secure on the transport truck. Everything must be removed from the glove box, centre console, and any other compartment, and all items must be safe and locked to avoid shifting or theft.
Items usually allowed
Most carriers allow:
- Clothes & bedding – soft items that won’t cause damage or add too much weight
- Non-fragile household goods – such as shoes, small bags, or packed personal items to fit safely and not create a hazard
These items are usually allowed since they don’t weigh much, are less likely to harm the vehicle, and can generally be packed in a way that won’t shift or become a problem. Knowing these items will make you feel reassured and confident about what you can include in your vehicle.
Commonly restricted items
Generally speaking, most movers will not cover any of the following items, as they may introduce a liability or exacerbate the insurance process:
- Electronics: Generally, you can take your laptops or phones, but not televisions and computers, because they are often damaged or stolen:
- Valuables: It is best to keep valuables (money, jewellery, or other expensive items) with you.
- Food: No perishables or food that can spoil, leak, or make a mess.
- Hazardous materials: You should not allow anything flammable, corrosive, or dangerous to be in the vehicle. It could be a danger to the driver, service staff, and possibly the car if things spill or leak.
- Loose items: It includes golf clubs, bike racks, or items overflowing the hatchback that may become loose projectiles, especially while the vehicle is in transit, if it is open to risk at all.
Understanding and following these rules is crucial for a smooth and hassle-free car shipping experience. It ensures your safety, the safety of your belongings, and compliance with carrier regulations.
Restrictions on personal items help protect the vehicle, protect safety, conform to shipper requirements, and reduce the risk of liability. Transportation companies tend to impose strict protocols because their insurance only covers the car, and not the owner’s belongings. While it is normal to ignore or misread personal item policies at the time of booking, you should avoid it by verifying with the carrier what personal items/baggage can be loaded into your vehicle, as well as the carrier’s personal item policies, before booking. Taking a complete walk-around of your car, as well as being aware of specific dos and don’ts, will help to ensure that you have an uneventful travel experience with your vehicle during transport.
Transport Method and Its Effect on Belongings Policy
When shipping a vehicle with personal belongings, the shipping method has an integral impact on what is permitted.
- Open carriers: Since the vehicles are subjected to environmental factors, road debris, and potential theft, transporters often enforce rigorous guidelines regarding what can be put inside. They follow FMCSA car shipping rules and search for vehicle transport policies to limit liability.
- Enclosed carriers: Vehicles are exposed to the elements, road debris, and the risk of theft, prompting transporters to impose strict rules on what can be loaded. They adhere to FMCSA car shipping rules and seek vehicle transport policies to minimize liability.
- Door-to-door car shipping: Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for transporting a car nationwide. You can load, check, and add items to your vehicle at both
pick-up and drop-off. It helps to inspect personal items and minimizes the chance of forgetting or losing anything.
No matter how you decide to ship your car, always check the carrier’s specific restrictions or policies for auto transport personal items before you send your vehicle across the country to avoid possible fees or delays.
Risks of Shipping Personal Belongings Inside Your Car
When shipping a car with personal belongings, it is essential to be aware of the risks.
- Damage, theft, or loss: Items may shift during transit, scratch the interior of the car, or be stolen. The standard policy for auto transport personal belongings insurance typically does not cover these items, which means you would have to bear the cost.
- Overweight fees or delays: Failing to remain within the carrier’s weight limits can result in violations of car shipping restrictions, which may incur additional costs, route changes, or delayed delivery.
- Inspection or unloading: If items are not allowed per FMCSA car shipping rules or carrier policies, they may be inspected, removed, and unloaded, sometimes without a refund.
Following the carrier’s restrictions is essential to prevent unpleasant surprises. Before transporting your car with freight inside, verify that the storage limitations and protocols are defined to guarantee a smooth and effortless process when delivering your vehicle across the country.
Tips for Preparing Your Car and Items for Shipping
When preparing your car for transport, you’re not only getting the vehicle ready, but also everything inside it. Having your stuff taken care of can alleviate stress later on, whether you’re shipping the car across the country or just simply trying to follow the car shipping rules.
Pack items properly
When packing your car for transport, place your items in boxes or containers that are strong and sealable. Most companies will supply packaging for your items. This helps limit dust, movement, and damage during vehicle transport, which is especially important when packing your vehicle for transport.
Distribute the weight
It’s essential for both safety and stability that the weight in your vehicle is distributed evenly. Place items below the seat line or the window line to keep your view and your interior from undesirable damage. Following your car shipping guidelines will help you avoid issues with your shipping carrier.
Capture the critical details
Before handing over your keys, take a clear picture of the inside of your vehicle and its contents. More importantly, this will help prove anything that may have gone awry during transport.
How Preowned Auto Logistics Handles Vehicle Shipping with Belongings
Clear guidelines from the beginning
PAL will let you know what is acceptable and unacceptable to keep in your vehicle. They show you what to pack and what not to pack so that you can follow the transportation laws without worry or confusion.
Relatable support
PAL’s easy-going, knowledgeable staff is here to help you every step of the way. If you need assistance with determining weight limits, packing tips, or compliance guidelines, they provide frank answers and direct instructions that help you feel confident about your preparations.
Safe and compliant from the ship to deliver
From the time PAL inspects and documents your vehicle to the time they deliver it, PAL treats your truck and your belongings as carefully as possible. You can trust your shipment to remain safe, secure, and compliant every mile of the way.
With PAL on your side, you prepare your vehicle with ease while enjoying a smooth, worry‑free shipping process.
Conclusion
There are rules, regulations, records, laws, and actions to follow to ship across state lines or coast to coast legally and properly (including fees and taxes). If you don’t follow the carrier’s rules, your transport can take longer, cost more, and damage your vehicle.
Preowned Auto Logistics can solve these issues for you. Their staff will provide personal attention, honest pricing, reliable results, and transparency while transporting your vehicle according to all regulations.
So, relax, forget about intricacy and industry rules, and trust Preowned Auto Logistics to ship your automobile legally. PAL is known for their honest and reliable auto transport. As a car shipment firm, Preowned Car Logistics will guide you through the process of shipping cars with items inside.
Contact Preowned Auto Logistics today for a customized auto transport quote and shipping vehicle across the country!
