Best Enclosed Car Shipping Companies in 2026

Why Choosing the Right Enclosed Shipper Matters

If you are shipping a $75,000 sports car or a classic Corvette you spent three years restoring, the last thing you want is a general-purpose hauler who treats your vehicle the same way they treat a fleet of rental cars. Enclosed shipping is a premium service, and the company you pick determines the quality of the carrier who actually handles your vehicle.

The best enclosed car shipping companies have direct relationships with carriers who run enclosed trailers full-time. These are drivers who know how to load a lowered Lamborghini without scraping the front splitter, who use soft tie-down straps instead of chains, and who understand that a covered trailer sitting in direct sun still heats up inside. Experience matters — especially at the $50K+ vehicle price point where enclosed transport is most common.

We reviewed pricing, insurance terms, carrier vetting processes, customer ratings, and service models across the most-used enclosed transport companies. Here is what we found.

Top 5 Enclosed Car Shipping Companies

1. Bold Auto Transport — Best Overall Enclosed Shipper

Bold earns the top spot because it combines competitive enclosed pricing with a service model built for high-value vehicles. Every customer gets a dedicated transport coordinator — one person who manages the shipment from booking through delivery, coordinates directly with the carrier, and sends proactive updates without you having to chase anyone down.

The standout feature is the $0 deductible insurance included on every enclosed shipment. If something happens during transit, you pay nothing out of pocket. Most competitors either charge extra for gap-free coverage or leave you with a $250-$500 deductible — which defeats the purpose of paying premium prices for premium protection.

Bold works with vetted enclosed-only carriers, not general haulers who run a covered trailer part-time. These are carriers with enclosed-specific equipment: hydraulic lift gates, soft cloth tie-downs, climate monitoring, and interior padding. The vetting process checks carrier authority, safety record, insurance limits, and enclosed-specific experience before they join the network.

• Rating: 4.7/5 from 500+ verified reviews
• BBB: A+ accredited
• Insurance: $0 deductible, included free on every shipment
• Enclosed Price Range: $1,200-$4,200 (varies by distance)
• Best For: Luxury vehicles, classics, exotics, anyone who wants the best protection with personal service

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2. Montway Auto Transport

Montway is one of the largest auto transport brokers in the country with over 100,000 customer reviews and a wide carrier network. Their size means they can typically match customers with enclosed carriers on most routes, even less common ones. They also offer a TruePrice Guarantee, meaning the quoted price is what you pay.

The drawback with Montway for enclosed shipments is the service model. You work with a customer service team, not a single coordinator who knows your vehicle and your situation. For a standard sedan on an open trailer, that is fine. For a $120,000 Porsche in an enclosed trailer, most customers want someone who is personally accountable. Insurance deductibles also vary depending on the carrier assigned, which introduces uncertainty on high-value vehicles.

• Strength: Huge carrier network, strong brand recognition, TruePrice Guarantee
• Weakness: Call center model, variable insurance deductibles, not enclosed-specialized

3. Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa has built a reputation around its Price Lock Promise — the quote they give you will not change, period. Their customer reviews are excellent (4.9/5), though the review volume is small: only about 17 reviews on Trustpilot as of 2026. They handle enclosed shipments and have a clean complaint history.

The main issue with Sherpa is pricing. They consistently rank among the most expensive auto transport companies in the industry, with an average cost of roughly $1,075 for standard shipments. Enclosed rates run even higher. If budget is a factor at all, Sherpa's pricing will feel steep compared to competitors offering similar service quality at lower rates.

• Strength: Price Lock Promise, high rating, clean record
• Weakness: Highest prices in industry, very low review volume, no dedicated coordinator

4. Intercity Lines

Intercity Lines is an enclosed-only specialist. They do not handle open transport at all, which means every carrier in their network runs enclosed trailers exclusively. For customers shipping high-value collector cars, auction vehicles, or museum pieces, this specialization is meaningful. Their carriers are experienced with vehicles worth $500,000+.

The trade-off is premium pricing. Intercity Lines charges more than most brokers — and they position themselves as a white-glove service for the top end of the market. If you are shipping a daily driver that you simply want enclosed for extra protection, you will overpay here. But for a concours-ready Ferrari or a Barrett-Jackson auction car, Intercity Lines is a legitimate option.

• Strength: Enclosed-only specialist, experienced with ultra-high-value vehicles
• Weakness: Premium pricing, overkill for most enclosed shipments

5. Reliable Carriers

Reliable Carriers operates its own fleet of enclosed trailers rather than brokering to independent carriers. This gives them direct control over drivers, equipment, and scheduling. They are used heavily by dealerships, auction houses, and OEMs for high-volume enclosed moves.

For individual consumers, Reliable Carriers can be harder to work with. Their pricing is premium, their availability can be limited for single-vehicle shipments (they prioritize multi-vehicle loads from commercial clients), and the booking process is less streamlined than broker-based options. Solid company, but built for the commercial side of the market.

• Strength: Owned fleet, direct control over drivers and equipment, trusted by dealerships
• Weakness: Premium pricing, commercial focus, less consumer-friendly booking

Enclosed Car Shipping Company Comparison

Here is how the top enclosed transport companies compare on the factors that matter most:

What to Look for in an Enclosed Car Shipper

Not all enclosed shipping is created equal. Here are the factors that separate a good enclosed transport experience from a mediocre one:

Carrier Vetting: Enclosed Specialists vs. General Haulers

This is the single most important factor. Ask the company whether their enclosed carriers run enclosed trailers full-time or whether they are open-transport haulers who also own an enclosed trailer. A carrier who moves five enclosed loads per month has different equipment, different habits, and different care standards than one who moves 50. The best brokers vet carriers specifically for enclosed experience — checking how many enclosed loads they run annually, what equipment they use (hydraulic lift gates, soft straps, interior padding), and their track record with high-value vehicles.

Insurance Coverage and Deductible

If you are paying for enclosed shipping, you are doing it because your vehicle is valuable. The insurance should match that value. Look for a company that includes $0 deductible coverage as standard — not as an upsell. Ask what the maximum coverage amount is and whether it covers the full declared value of your vehicle. Some companies advertise "full coverage" but cap it at $100,000, which may not be enough for high-end exotics or rare classics.

Experience with High-Value Vehicles

A company that ships 500 enclosed vehicles per year handles things differently than one that ships 20. Ask how many enclosed shipments they handle monthly, what types of vehicles they typically move (daily drivers vs. exotics vs. collector cars), and whether their carriers have experience with lowered vehicles, wide-body kits, or vehicles that require special loading procedures.

Communication During Transit

When your $80,000 vehicle is on a trailer somewhere between Dallas and Miami, you want to know where it is. The best enclosed shippers assign a single point of contact who can reach the driver directly, provide real-time updates, and handle any issues without transferring you through a phone tree. If the company uses a call center model, ask how you will get status updates and who you call if there is a problem.

Loading and Unloading Procedures

How a carrier loads and unloads your vehicle matters as much as what happens during transit. Hydraulic lift gates are safer than ramps for lowered vehicles. Soft cloth tie-downs prevent wheel and frame damage. Interior padding protects against contact with trailer walls during transport. Ask about these specifics — they tell you a lot about how seriously a company takes enclosed shipping.

How Much Does Enclosed Shipping Cost?

Enclosed transport typically costs 40-60% more than open car shipping because enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles per load (2-6 vs. 7-10). Here is what to expect by distance:

Prices are estimates based on a standard sedan or SUV. Oversized, lowered, or inoperable vehicles may cost more. Use our cost calculator for a personalized estimate.

When Do You Actually Need Enclosed Shipping?

Enclosed transport is the right call in specific situations. It is not a blanket upgrade that every vehicle needs. Here is a straightforward breakdown:

Enclosed is worth it for:

• Vehicles valued over $50,000 — The cost of enclosed shipping is a fraction of the vehicle's value, and the added protection is proportional to the financial risk.
• Classic and collector cars — Irreplaceable vehicles with original paint, chrome, and trim that cannot be easily repaired or replaced.
• Exotic and luxury cars — Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and similar vehicles where even minor cosmetic damage is expensive to fix.
• Show cars and concours vehicles — Any vehicle that needs to arrive in show-ready condition without dust, debris marks, or water spots.
• Sentimental vehicles — Your father's restored Mustang or the car you bought with your first real paycheck. Some vehicles are worth more than their market value to you.

Open transport is fine for:

• Standard daily-driver vehicles (sedans, SUVs, trucks)
• Vehicles under $50,000 in value
• Used vehicles that already have normal wear
• Vehicles where a minor rock chip or dust is not a concern

Open transport is how 85% of vehicles are shipped in the United States. It is safe, tested, and effective. Learn more about enclosed auto transport or compare open vs enclosed shipping to decide which is right for your vehicle.