Car transport from Atlanta to Chicago

What to verify before booking

Don't just go with the cheapest quote. A company that's $200 less might cost you $2,000 in headaches. Run through this checklist before you commit to anyone.

• FMCSA licensing—every legitimate carrier and broker must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. No MC number? Walk away.
• Cargo insurance verification—ask for their certificate of insurance and verify coverage limits. Minimum $100,000 cargo coverage is standard, but more is better.
• BBB rating and complaint history—check the Better Business Bureau for patterns. A few complaints happen to everyone; dozens of similar complaints signal real problems.
• Transparent pricing—the quote should include all fees upfront. If they can't give you a firm number or mention "fuel surcharges may apply," keep shopping.
• Clear communication—call them with a question before booking. If you can't reach a human or get vague answers, imagine dealing with them when your car is on a truck somewhere.
• Contract review—read what you're signing. Look for cancellation terms, liability limits, and any language about price changes.

How to actually read reviews

Online reviews are useful, but you need to know how to read them. A company with 4.8 stars and 50 reviews isn't necessarily better than one with 4.5 stars and 2,000 reviews. Here's what matters.

Understanding what guarantees actually mean

Everyone throws around "guarantees" in marketing, but what do they actually cover? Not all guarantees are created equal, and some aren't worth the pixels they're written with.

• Price guarantee: A real price guarantee means the quote you accept is the price you pay—period. Watch out for language like "estimated" or "market-dependent." Our price guarantee locks in your rate at booking, and if carrier costs go up, we eat the difference, not you.
• Pickup window guarantee: This guarantees your car gets picked up within a specific timeframe. Some companies promise this but bury exceptions in fine print. Ask what happens if they miss the window—do you get a refund, a discount, or just an apology?
• Damage-free delivery: No honest company can guarantee zero damage—stuff happens on the road. What matters is their insurance coverage and claims process. Ask: what's covered, what's the deductible, and how fast do claims get resolved?
• Money-back guarantee: Usually applies if they can't find a carrier or miss a deadline. Read the conditions carefully—some only refund your deposit, others refund everything. Know what triggers the refund and how long it takes.

Which service fits your situation

Stop overthinking this. Here's a practical decision guide based on what you're actually shipping.

• You're shipping a 2020 Honda Accord you drive daily: Open transport. It's a car designed to be outside. Save your money for something that matters.
• You just bought a 1967 Mustang Fastback from a collector: Enclosed transport, no question. The cost difference is nothing compared to the car's value, and you'll sleep better knowing it's protected from every rock and raindrop.
• Your car was in an accident and doesn't run: Flatbed transport or open carrier with winch capability. Make sure to disclose the inoperable status upfront—trying to hide it causes problems at pickup.
• You're relocating and shipping your Porsche 911 GT3: Enclosed transport. Low ground clearance cars can have issues with standard carrier ramps, and the car's value warrants the protection.
• You're moving two family vehicles cross-country: Open transport for both. Multi-vehicle discounts often apply, and standard family vehicles don't need enclosed protection.
• You need the car delivered by a specific date for an event: Expedited service with guaranteed pickup window. Costs more, but ensures carrier assignment priority and tighter scheduling.

Specialized transport options

Beyond the main transport types, there are specialized services for specific situations. Most people don't need these, but when you do, they're the only thing that works.

• Expedited shipping: Faster carrier assignment and priority scheduling when you need guaranteed timing. Your shipment jumps the queue, and carriers get premium pay to prioritize your load. Expect to pay 20-30% more, but you'll get tighter pickup windows and faster transit.
• Military auto transport: Specialized service for active duty military, veterans, and DOD civilians. We understand PCS moves, deployment timelines, and the specific documentation military families need. Often eligible for discounted rates and flexible scheduling around orders.
• Classic and collector car transport: White-glove enclosed service with drivers experienced in handling valuable, irreplaceable vehicles. Includes extra care during loading, soft tie-downs to protect chrome and paint, and documentation photography at every stage.
• Multi-vehicle transport: Shipping multiple vehicles together—common for families relocating, dealers moving inventory, or collectors consolidating collections. Volume discounts apply, and coordinated pickup/delivery simplifies logistics.
• Drive-away service: Someone actually drives your car to the destination instead of hauling it. Used when hauling isn't practical or when the owner prefers it. Adds mileage to your odometer and requires trusting a stranger with your keys for days. We generally don't recommend this for most situations.

Insurance coverage by transport type

Here's what most companies won't tell you upfront: insurance coverage varies by transport method, and understanding the differences protects you if something goes wrong.

• Open transport carriers typically carry $100,000-$250,000 in cargo insurance per load—not per vehicle. With 8-10 cars on a truck, that's shared coverage. For a standard vehicle worth $30,000, that's fine. For a $200,000 car? Do the math.
• Enclosed carriers often carry higher coverage limits ($500,000-$1,000,000) because they're hauling higher-value cargo. Ask for the certificate of insurance and verify the numbers match your vehicle's value.
• Flatbed transport coverage depends on the specific carrier, but dedicated transport usually means your vehicle is the only claim against that policy if something happens.
• Your own auto insurance policy might provide additional coverage during transport—call your agent and ask about "in-transit" coverage before shipping.
• Deductibles matter. Some carrier policies have $500-$1,000 deductibles. Know what you'd be responsible for before a claim situation arises.
• Document everything before pickup—photos, video, existing damage notes. Insurance claims require proof, and "I swear it wasn't there before" doesn't hold up.