Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: How to Choose the Right Option for Your Vehicle

You already know you need to ship a vehicle. Now you want a clear answer on which method is right. The choice comes down to three things: your vehicle's value, your budget, and your route. Neither option is better across the board, and both are safe when a qualified carrier handles the job. This guide covers how each method works, what each costs, how insurance applies, and how to match your vehicle to the right choice.

In this article:

• The real difference between open and enclosed transport
• A cost comparison by distance and vehicle type
• The insurance detail most shippers overlook
• A decision framework matched to your vehicle type
• What to verify in any carrier, open or enclosed

Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping at a Glance.

The Real Difference Between Open and Enclosed Transport

Open transport moves your vehicle on an uncovered two-tier trailer alongside seven to ten other cars. This is the same method manufacturers use to deliver new vehicles to dealerships, and it accounts for roughly 90% of all U.S. auto shipments [2]. Carriers are widely available, pickup windows are short, and costs are lower than any alternative.

Enclosed transport puts your vehicle inside a covered trailer with rigid metal or heavy canvas walls. Most enclosed trailers hold two to six vehicles and load using a hydraulic liftgate, which matters for low-clearance cars that would scrape during a standard ramp load. Soft-strap tie-downs keep wheels secured without contacting painted surfaces.

Open transport is not unsafe. It's the industry standard and works well for the vast majority of vehicles. Enclosed transport exists for situations where the cost of any damage outweighs the cost of the upgrade.

Cost Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay.

Enclosed transport typically costs 30 to 60% more than open on the same route [1, 2]. Distance, vehicle size, season, and route demand all affect the final number.

Snowbird routes, such as Northeast to Florida or Midwest to Arizona, run 15 to 25% above standard rates from November through April [1]. Summer moves on high-traffic corridors follow a similar pattern.

There's a common problem in this industry: a broker quotes a low price they can't deliver, then calls back days later with a higher number after no carrier accepts the route. The way to avoid that is a quote built from real, current data for your specific origin and destination, not a generic estimate based on miles alone.

The Insurance Detail Most Shippers Never Ask About

The FMCSA requires property carriers to maintain $750,000 in liability coverage under 49 CFR Part 387 [4]. Cargo insurance, the policy that specifically covers your vehicle during transit, is not federally mandated for property carriers. Most reputable car haulers carry it as standard practice, and brokers like AutoStar Transport Express require active cargo policies from every carrier in their network.

The amounts on those policies matter more than most shippers realize. Standard cargo insurance for car haulers typically runs between $100,000 and $250,000 per load [3]. A $100,000 policy spread across nine vehicles works out to roughly $11,000 per car. For a $60,000 SUV, that's a real gap.

Enclosed carriers haul two to six vehicles, with policies that typically range from $250,000 to over $1,000,000 [3]. Per-vehicle coverage is significantly higher.

Before any vehicle is loaded, ask the carrier for its Certificate of Insurance. Confirm the coverage amount, effective dates, and whether the policy applies per vehicle or per trailer load. AutoStar Transport Express verifies active insurance on every carrier in its network of more than 25,000 screened professionals and provides COI documentation as part of every booking. No extra step required.

How to Choose: A Framework by Vehicle Type

Three factors drive this decision: vehicle value, condition, and route. For high-value vehicles, the coverage gap on shared open-trailer loads becomes the deciding issue. When per-vehicle coverage on a shared load falls well short of what your car is actually worth, enclosed isn't just about weather protection. It's an insurance decision.

Route conditions matter more than most people expect. Road salt is a real risk on open-trailer routes through the Northeast and Midwest from November through March. Salt spray reaches the underbody during transit and can cause corrosion that surfaces months later. For any classic, luxury, or aluminum-bodied vehicle moving through the salt belt in winter, the enclosed premium functions as underbody protection.

For high-end EVs, enclosed is generally the better choice. Exposed sensors, cameras, and premium finishes are more vulnerable to road debris than on a conventional vehicle.

Two examples:

A 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (starting at $155,250) shipping from Los Angeles to Miami [5]. Open transport on a 2,500-mile route typically runs $1,400-$2,000. Per-vehicle coverage on a shared load may be just $11,000-$28,000 against a $155,250 vehicle. Enclosed runs $2,100-$3,000 or more with coverage calibrated for vehicles at that price point. The premium is a fraction of what the car is worth.

A 2020 Honda CR-V shipping from Chicago to Dallas: operable, stock, and worth roughly $28,000 at average market value [6]. Open transport at $650-$850 is the right call. Per-vehicle coverage on a shared load typically runs $11,000-$28,000, which fits comfortably within the vehicle's value. Enclosed isn't justified.

Open or enclosed, the carrier holding the keys determines your actual experience. Licensing, verified insurance, and a clean safety record are the variables that actually matter. Confirm all three before any booking is finalized.

AutoStar Transport Express has operated since 2007 with more than 500,000 vehicles shipped, a 25,000+ carrier network screened for active FMCSA/DOT authority and verified insurance, and an independently verified track record: named Best Car Shipping Company by TransportReviews from 2023 to 2026, rated 4.6 on Trustpilot, BBB Accredited, and ranked #4,899 on the 2024 Inc. 5000. No upfront payment, no hidden fees, no spam calls.

Is open transport safe for everyday cars? Yes. Open transport handles the vast majority of U.S. auto shipments. New vehicles travel this way from factories to dealerships every day. For standard, operable vehicles under $50,000, it's the practical and well-tested choice.

What vehicles should always use enclosed transport? High-value luxury vehicles, classic and exotic cars, high-end EVs, lowered or modified vehicles with minimal ground clearance, and inoperable vehicles that can't roll or steer on their own.

How much more does enclosed transport cost? Expect to pay 30 to 60% more than open on the same route, and sometimes more depending on vehicle size and demand. Cross-country, that typically adds several hundred to over a thousand dollars.

Does AutoStar offer both open and enclosed transport? Yes. AutoStar Transport Express handles both methods nationwide. Every carrier, regardless of transport type, is screened for active FMCSA/DOT authority and verified insurance before dispatch.

How do I confirm my vehicle is insured during transport? Request the carrier's Certificate of Insurance before pickup. Confirm the coverage amount, effective dates, and whether it applies per vehicle or per trailer load. AutoStar provides COI documentation as a standard part of every booking.

The Right Choice Is Simpler Than It Looks

Open and enclosed transport solve different problems. The decision is clear once you know your vehicle's value, type, and route. For most everyday cars, open is the right call. For high-value, classic, or specialty vehicles, enclosed protects what can't be replaced.

The company behind the booking matters just as much. AutoStar Transport Express has been verifying carriers, confirming insurance, and delivering vehicles safely since 2007, with no upfront payment, no hidden fees, and a track record of more than 500,000 successful shipments.

Call 833-720-7827 to get your free quote from AutoStar Transport Express

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Sources

1. Kelley Blue Book, "How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car in 2026?" 2026 https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/costs-shipping-vehicle/
2. FreightWaves Checkpoint, "Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: Which Should You Choose in 2026?" 2026 https://www.freightwaves.com/checkpoint/open-vs-enclosed-car-shipping/
3. Super Dispatch, "The Complete Guide to Car Hauler Insurance Requirements," September, 2025 https://superdispatch.com/blog/carrier-insurance/
4. FMCSA, "Insurance Filing Requirements" (49 CFR Part 387) https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-filing-requirements
5. Car and Driver, "2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review, Pricing, and Specs," 2026 https://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/g-class
6. Car and Driver, "2026 Honda CR-V Review, Pricing, and Specs," 2026 https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/cr-v-2020