Many different people will give you many different answers based upon many different facts and situations. However to be very truthful, there is only one answer that is real.
That answer is determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the D.O.T.) and the carriers own insurance company.
1. Your carrier has "cargo" insurance that covers him and his cargo, not yours. So it does not cover items that are loaded inside your car. If that item you placed inside your car flies around and breaks your car radio, it is not insured, so you lose.
2. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (The FMCSA) has a rule saying that no household goods may be transported inside your vehicle. Licensing is their prime motive. Your Carrier has a license enabling him to move and transport automobiles and vehicles. It does not give him the authority to transport household goods and personal property. In order to do this he would have to apply for an additional license.
In addition to obtaining additional insurance and bonding, this would require filing the necessary forms and paying required fees.
3. Another reason not to load your vehicle with household goods when shipping by an auto transport carrier is weight.
Common thinking would indicate that "my stuff only weighs a couple of hundred pounds" but please remember that your car is only one of about ten on his truck. Multiply your couple of hundred pounds by the ten cars loaded and it turns into a couple of thousand pounds. Your carrier has to cross the scales many times while in transit to your destination. Scale busters pay big fines and penalties, not to mention the additional fuel used just to transport these vehicles.
So, with the above listed reasons in mind, the answer to your question is emphatically no.
You might even hear from some auto transport brokers that it is OK to load "just a few items", or how about "up to 100 or 200 pounds in the trunk".
They can't change the law. In spite of their attempts to be agreeable in order to capture your business.
When you get caught, your "advisor" who suggested you break the law will quickly go into hiding.
Use top-notch carriers and brokers who sincerely want to do business with you in a fair, safe, and completely legal manner.
When ready to ship your vehicle, go to websites that offer quotes and give them the information they request. They will provide you with quotes on shipping your vehicle by several of the really great trucking companies that they recommend. There will never be an obligation, you can select the one you want, or simply select none. with quotes in hand you will be a much better shopper.
Let me share some good advice, play it safe and smart, select a reputable Broker/Carrier.
That answer is determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the D.O.T.) and the carriers own insurance company.
1. Your carrier has "cargo" insurance that covers him and his cargo, not yours. So it does not cover items that are loaded inside your car. If that item you placed inside your car flies around and breaks your car radio, it is not insured, so you lose.
2. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (The FMCSA) has a rule saying that no household goods may be transported inside your vehicle. Licensing is their prime motive. Your Carrier has a license enabling him to move and transport automobiles and vehicles. It does not give him the authority to transport household goods and personal property. In order to do this he would have to apply for an additional license.
In addition to obtaining additional insurance and bonding, this would require filing the necessary forms and paying required fees.
3. Another reason not to load your vehicle with household goods when shipping by an auto transport carrier is weight.
Common thinking would indicate that "my stuff only weighs a couple of hundred pounds" but please remember that your car is only one of about ten on his truck. Multiply your couple of hundred pounds by the ten cars loaded and it turns into a couple of thousand pounds. Your carrier has to cross the scales many times while in transit to your destination. Scale busters pay big fines and penalties, not to mention the additional fuel used just to transport these vehicles.
So, with the above listed reasons in mind, the answer to your question is emphatically no.
You might even hear from some auto transport brokers that it is OK to load "just a few items", or how about "up to 100 or 200 pounds in the trunk".
They can't change the law. In spite of their attempts to be agreeable in order to capture your business.
When you get caught, your "advisor" who suggested you break the law will quickly go into hiding.
Use top-notch carriers and brokers who sincerely want to do business with you in a fair, safe, and completely legal manner.
When ready to ship your vehicle, go to websites that offer quotes and give them the information they request. They will provide you with quotes on shipping your vehicle by several of the really great trucking companies that they recommend. There will never be an obligation, you can select the one you want, or simply select none. with quotes in hand you will be a much better shopper.
Let me share some good advice, play it safe and smart, select a reputable Broker/Carrier.
About the Author:
Learn more about auto transport quotes. Stop by Bob Frost's site where you can find out all about car shipping quotes and what it can do for you.