Both methods are safe. The right choice comes down to what you're shipping and how much risk tolerance you have.
If you're shipping a daily-driver car, SUV, or truck, open transport is almost always the right call — it's what moves the vast majority of vehicles in the US, including new cars straight from the factory. Enclosed transport earns its premium for vehicles where weather or road debris exposure genuinely isn't acceptable: classics, exotics, and high-value vehicles.
What it is: Your vehicle rides on an open-air multi-car trailer, secured with the same tie-down systems used industry-wide.
Pros: Lower cost, faster pickup windows (more carriers available), the default choice for most shipments.
Trade-off: Exposure to weather and road debris during transit — generally minor for a daily driver, but a real factor.
What it is: Your vehicle rides inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from the elements entirely.
Pros: Maximum protection, often paired with more experienced carriers used to handling high-value vehicles.
Trade-off: Typically 30–50% more expensive than open, with a smaller carrier pool that can mean longer lead times on some routes.
Every carrier in our network carries active cargo insurance regardless of transport method, and you'll get a signed condition report at both pickup and delivery either way.