Covered vs. Enclosed Transport

You always hear about two very popular forms of car transport. One is open carrier car shipping, the other is enclosed auto transport. But what is covered transport for cars? Is it better than enclosed or is it the same thing?

Covered transport is the same as enclosed transport. It two different names for the same service. They result is the same whereby your vehicle is shipped inside a trailer that is fully enclosed away from the outside world.

Many times on sites like Reddit, you'll see "covered" because it the easiest way to describe enclosed car shipping when you are not aware of the term industry term "enclosed".

When I Ask for Covered Transport, Is It a Lesser Kind of Enclosed Transport?

No, it is the same exact same. When ordering covered car transport, you are booking the same enclosed service with all its benefits,. including that extra layer of protection. One is the industry term (enclosed) , and the other is a common term or a.k.a. term (covered).

Can Covered Transport Also Be Putting a Car Cover On My Car?

No. When someone looks for covered car shipping it's not that the person is intending to ship a car with a car cover. In fact, it is not allowed for you to use a car cover on your vehicle as it can fly off or even worse turn into a parachute. So no covers on cars! It is not referring to what Enclosed Transport or Covered Transport means.

Who Provides Covered (Enclosed Transport) ?

Just like we do here at NX, many auto shipping carriers and brokers provide and have access to covered car shipping services, nationwide. By searching online and verifying credentials and reviews, you can pick a well established car shipper to take care of your covered auto shipment.

How Much Does Covered Car Shipping Cost?

As low as $800 for as low as 500 miles, and $1750 for cross country, like Florida to California, for example. On average if you haven't considered car shipping and have only seen quotes for open, you can estimate that it will be 40-60% more than open carrier shipping.

Advantages of Enclosed Trailer Vehicle Transport

Opting for enclosed trailer transport emerges as the preferred method for transporting vehicles of distinction, such as exotic, custom, classic, antique, luxury, or high-end automobiles. This method offers several notable advantages, making it an exemplary choice for those seeking the utmost care for their vehicles.

Guaranteed Layer of Protection: Enclosed carrier auto transport provides your vehicle with unparalleled protection against environmental elements such as rain, hail, snow, and road debris. Throughout its transit, your vehicle remains safeguarded from external conditions, ensuring it arrives at its destination in the same pristine condition as when it left the pickup location.

Stress-Free Shipping: Choosing enclosed transport ensures a worry-free experience for the vehicle owner. Regardless of weather conditions or potential road grime, the transport process is seamless from pickup to delivery, offering a door-to-door service that requires minimal effort on the part of the owner.

Enhanced Security: The complete enclosure of your vehicle offers a significant security advantage. It becomes shielded from prying eyes and potential threats, a concern particularly relevant for exotic vehicles transported via open methods, which may attract unwanted attention. Enclosed transport provides a layer of anonymity and security against such risks.

Accommodation for Low Clearance Vehicles: Enclosed transport is particularly suited for vehicles with modified or low ground clearance, thanks to the use of trailers equipped with extended racing ramps and hydraulic lift gates. This specialized equipment facilitates the safe loading and unloading of vehicles, preventing damage.

Expertise in Auto Transport: The transportation of classic, luxury, collectible, and exotic vehicles demands specialized knowledge. The carriers employed in enclosed auto transport are highly trained and experienced, providing a service of exceptional quality. Their expertise ensures that each vehicle is treated with the utmost care, as if it were their own.

Increased Insurance Coverage: Given the higher value of vehicles typically transported via enclosed trailer, the associated insurance coverage is significantly greater. For vehicles valued over $50,000, enclosed transport is recommended not only for the protection it offers but also for the enhanced insurance benefits.

In summary, enclosed trailer car shipping presents a superior option for those seeking to transport their prized vehicles. Its comprehensive benefits ensure both the physical safety of the vehicle and peace of mind for the owner.

Carl has a decade of experience in the car shipping industry. He has worked in nearly every aspect of the transport business since 2014, taking charge of various roles in the company such as dispatching, sales, and customer service.

During those years, Carl amassed an invaluable amount of experience which has contributed to his writing of every article and and guide on NX since taking over content in 2015.