Frequent Questions
- How long will the transport of my vehicle take?
This depends entirely upon the distance it’s traveling. Cross country moves typically take 7-10 days. A move from either coast to the center of the country will take 4-6 days. When you receive a quote from us, you will also receive the estimated transit time for your particular move.
- Is the service door to door?
The rate you are quoted is for a complete door-to-door service (unless specified otherwise).
“Door to door” means as close as the truck can legally and safely reach the pickup/delivery location. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to meet the trailer at a prearranged spot to load and unload. This may occur because of local weight restrictions, low-hanging branches, narrow streets, or difficulty exiting your neighborhood.
Contact is usually made 24 hours in advance. Please be aware that the driver or his dispatcher will need to make actual contact with someone before they can deliver your car.
- What type of payment does Stars & Stripes accept?
Stars & Stripes Transportation accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover for payment. Electronic payments through Zelle or Cashapp are also available.
- What is the process if there is damage to my vehicle upon delivery?
Please call the offices of Stars & Stripes immediately. In most cases, we have only ten days to file a claim, and if not reported to us within 48 hours, we cannot offer assistance or be held responsible for any damage that might have occurred. Additionally, you must indicate any resulting damage that occurred during shipping on the “Bill of Lading” or delivery receipt issued by the driver at the time of delivery.
- Can I pack personal items in my car?
This practice is discouraged. Additional items may shift during transit, damaging the vehicle’s interior. Stars & stripes is not liable for any damage caused by additional items. This practice is discouraged. However, most Carriers we work with allow up to 100lbs of luggage at no extra cost. Additional items may shift during transit, damaging the vehicle’s interior. Stars & Stripes is not liable for any damage caused by items during transit. Additional contents may also block the driver’s view when loading your vehicle or add extra weight to the vehicle.
- What kind of truck will my vehicle be shipped on?
Either an Open Carrier, like the trucks you see transporting cars to and from Auto Dealerships, or an Enclosed carrier, which we recommend if you’re shipping a custom, classic or exotic car or truck.
- Can you offer same-day pickup?
Of course, we can! Stars & Stripes Transportation asks typically for a 24 to 48 hours window on all major routes. However, our expedited transport service gets your vehicle(s) picked up and delivered extra-fast when time is of the essence. This often requires carriers to reschedule other pickups. Therefore, we offer this service at a premium price.
- Can I cover my vehicle for transport?
Sorry, but No! It sounds like a great idea; however, it’s not only against the law but imagine what that would do to your vehicle after traveling several hundred (even thousands) of miles flapping against your paint, not to mention there’s a pretty good chance that it will fly off in transit at some point. If you’re extremely concerned, call us for reassurance or inquire about transporting your vehicle on one of our Enclosed carriers.
- How do I prepare my vehicle for transport?
See the checklist here
- How do I pay for the transportation of my vehicle?
Once your vehicle has been assigned to a carrier and our dispatch department has provided you with your driver’s information, Stars & Stripes Transportation will charge you a small percentage of the total fee through any major credit or debit card. The remaining amount is due directly to the driver upon delivery.
Please see “RESOURCES” for additional payment options.
- Do I need to have the title and registration to transport my vehicle?
No, all you need are the keys and the vehicle. If someone were to ship a vehicle they don’t own as a means of stealing it they would be committing a crime and the No, the D.O.T. does not require a title or tag to transport the vehicle within the U.S (mainland). Vehicle(s) going to or from Hawaii, Alaska, or P.R. may require additional paperwork.
- What is the Bill of Lading (B.O.L)?
The Bill of Lading is an important document used in the auto transport industry and other forms of cargo shipping. The B.O.L is a legal document that will specify exactly what vehicle is to be transported from location A to location B and by whom. It will document the vehicle’s condition before it is turned over to the trucker at pickup and then document the condition again before it is returned to the owner at delivery. The Bill of Lading serves as the contract between the trucker and the vehicle owner and includes the terms of that agreement.
- What is Stars & Stripes cancelation policy?
We understand that plans do change and if you decide to cancel the transportation of your vehicle prior of a driver been assigned there will be no cancellation fee. But we understand that plans change, and if you decide to cancel the transportation of your vehicle PRIOR to a driver being assigned, there will be no cancellation fee. But if your vehicle has already been DISPATCHED, there will be a run fee of $150.
- How How do I make sure that Stars & Stripes is bonded and insured?
It’s really simple! Check us out with our MC # 000071 at https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/. Here you can verify our current status with the FMCSA. (federal motor carrier safety administration)
You Have Options
There are several different ways you can ship a car. The options include Enclosed transportation, Open carrier transport, Expedited transport, flatbeds, door-to-door shipping, and to or from a terminal as well. The most popular of the options are 7 to 9 car open carriers. These eighteen-wheelers can accommodate almost any size vehicle, including cars, SUVs, trucks, jeeps, and vans.
Door-to-Door open car transport is the best way to get the most affordable auto transport rate possible. To learn more and see what transportation method is most suitable for you, please fill out our free quote form, and one of our agents will reply to you within minutes. You can also call us at (844) 502-6037.
Enclosed
Transport
Keep your vehicle safe from the elements with our 100% enclosed transportation.
Open
Transport
The standard, most affordable option in the industry will get your vehicle to its destination.
Expedited
Transport
When time is of the essence, our premium transport service gets your vehicles to you extra-fast. This often requires carriers to reschedule other pick-ups. Therefore, we offer this service at a premium price.
How Our Auto Shipping Works
The five steps below help ensure the highest level of quality service during the auto shipping process. When you provide our team with the information we need. We take care of the rest.