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Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
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Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

Open Carrier Car Shipping - What You Need to Know About It

Published by Joe Webster.

Open Carrier Car Shipping - What You Need to Know About It

Your car is likely one of your biggest investments and you probably want to ensure that it will be safe during transit. Six if you need to ship your car to a different city, state, or even across the country, you may be considering an enclosed carrier to make sure your vehicle is safe. However, an enclosed carrier is usually quite expensive and not very efficient.

While there are situations where an enclosed carrier is the preferred option, more often than not, open carrier car shipping is just as good or even better.

Let's find out more!

What Is Open Carrier Car Shipping

As the name suggests, an open carrier is a trailer that doesn't have any exterior walls. That means that your car will be exposed to the elements, such as rain, dirt, and ice, which is one of the main reasons people consider it not to be safe. But, that's not necessarily true.

Why You Should Consider an Open Carrier

Open carriers are the main transportation options most auto shipping companies use and for very good reasons.

First of all, it's an extremely efficient cheap auto transport option. The way the carriers are designed can allow carriers to ship more than one vehicle at once. That saves on both time and fuel, enabling the company to keep the rates low.

Because an open carrier can fit different types of cars, regardless of their size, weight, or model, it makes it easier for the company to accommodate your order. So, if you are on a tight schedule and need to have your car shipped as soon as possible, then you should know that your chances of finding an available slot are higher if you opt for an open carrier.

The fact that the trailer doesn't have any exterior walls can be seen as an advantage too. This will make it easier for the driver to inspect the vehicles and make sure they are in good condition.

a white vehicle rests on a flatbed truck

But, Is It Safe?

This is one of the main questions our customers ask us when we recommend them to use an open carrier for car shipping.

And, the short answer is yes, open carriers are safe.

Yes, your car is exposed to the dirt and grime from the road, but it's no different than if you were driving the car yourself. While the carriers are not enclosed, the trailers have sturdy metal bars that can prevent any hard objects, such as rocks, from hitting and damaging your car.

Your vehicle will also be secured on the trailer with chains and various locking mechanisms. Furthermore, the drivers are experienced in shipping vehicles and will constantly check to ensure that the cargo is secured.

And, to give you additional peace of mind, we here at A-1 Auto Transport also offer extensive coverage plans. This way, if something happens to your vehicle during transit, you can rest assured that the costs will be covered.

When You May Need Enclosed Carrier Shipping

As mentioned, there are moments when an enclosed carrier makes more sense. If you need to ship a luxury car, a collection vehicle, or an antique, then an enclosed carrier will give you the extra layer of protection you need. In addition, the price of this shipping option will still be considerably lower compared to the value of your vehicle.

Do You Need to Ship Your Car? Get in Touch!

Are you looking for a trustworthy auto shipping company? Contact us now to see what we can do for you and to ask for a free auto transport estimate.

Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
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Transparent Costs

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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