Auto Transport FAQ

Get an instant quote from our online quote calculator.

Car transport cost is determined by distance and size of vehicle. The farther the transport, the more it will cost. The larger the vehicle, the more it costs to ship a car.

Our quote is all inclusive. There are no hidden fees or charges. Insurance is included.

When you get an auto transport quote from your average broker, they try to find a car carrier who will transport your car for the least amount of money. Many Brokers may not be familiar with lanes or routes and base the quote solely on mileage.

We will try to deliver your vehicle as close to your address as possible. Some residential neighborhoods have local ordinances and weight restrictions which don't allow large commercial vehicles in the area. In that case, we will coordinate with you to pick a nearby convenient location that is well lit and safe for you and our driver.

​J&S Transportation does not transport in enclosed trucks. All of our trucks are open to the weather. You may not really require enclosed transports at approximately 1.8 times the cost. Damage claims are rare and we do offer insurance. But if you do require enclosed as the most secure form of transport, best you look elsewhere​. There are other good compan​ies who focus 100% on enclosed transports for premium vehicles.

Oversized vehicles are cargo vans and XL trucks like 450s, 4500s etc. It is very important to include any vehicle that has dual rear wheels, grill guards, ladder racks, utility boxes, shells, tonneau covers, lift kits (body or altered suspension) and oversized tires.

We can still transport your vehicle as long as it has keys, functional brakes and properly-inflated tires. Additional charges will occur for non-running vehicles as a tow truck may be needed to load and unload your vehicle.

Yes. All you need to do is head to our Quotes page, enter your quote ID and pickup city or postal zip code. Your quote will be shown with all your details.

Our rates are valid for shipments with requested pick up within 30 days of booking. For any order with requested pick up beyond 30 days from booking, shipment rate will be adjusted to current market rate. Approximately two weeks prior to scheduling pick up, customer will be advised of current rate and given the opportunity to continue with order or cancel. NO REFUNDS ON ORDERS BOOKED WITH REQUEST DATE GREATER THAN 30 DAYS OF BOOKING DATE. If vehicle is not picked up due to a delay not requested by customer, J&S will honor the booked rate. This delay could include weather, mechanical failure, or difficulty in routing a driver through pick up location.

The quote and order process works like this:
​1. The customer generates a guaranteed quote, and if the customers like it, they enter their credit card details. We authorize the customer's card but do not charge it.

​2. We will then call the customer either the same day or the next business day with a personalized pick up forecast.

​3. The customer decides whether to accept the quote and pick up forecast. If yes, then J&S charges the card the 10% deposit.

​4. The 10% is non-refundable from the point we charge it, as the customer has agreed to a personalized forecast.

​5. The remaining balance is charged upon pick up of the vehicle.

Yes, all carriers must be fully insured to meet all State and Federal requirements. As an auto hauler we are required by law to carry liability and cargo insurance to cover your vehicle while it is being shipped.

Most of our vehicles are picked up within 7 days from the time we receive your deposit. The dispatcher will discuss transit times and estimated pickup schedule when the order is confirmed.

Click on this link for our Damage Claim Policy: https://www.jandstransport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ClaimPolicy.pdf

While this doesn’t happen often, if your credit card is declined the first thing to do is to review the information you entered is 100% correct. Is the card number correct? Are the expiration date and security code correct? Is the billing zip code correct? Even one number off will cause the card to be declined.

If that doesn’t resolve the issue, try a different card.

After you've attempted to fix the issue, if all else fails, call 800.656.7638 and one of our operators will help you take the next steps to resolve your payment. 

No. You should give a copy of your keys to the transport driver. Many new cars now have chips in the ignition key. If we don't have the ignition key, we need to have the mechanical key so we can unlock the ignition and steering wheel so the vehicle can be put in gear and steered onto the auto transport trailer.

The best thing to do is wash your car to make it easier to do the vehicle condition report. Your vehicle cannot have any obvious fluid leaks; it must have functional brakes, properly-inflated tires, and keys. We also recommend that you leave a quarter tank of fuel in the vehicle. For a more complete guide, go to this link: Click here.

Remove all personal items from your vehicle as we are not liable for anything left in the vehicle during transport.

J&S Transportation has satellite tracking systems on all of our trucks, we can pin point their exact location during normal business hours. If we use an outside carrier to help transport your vehicle, we can contact them and get the specific location of their driver at your request.

​We can call and/or email with updates if you wish. Also, our drivers will call you periodically to let you know their ETA.

Our drivers will call you when they are a day out to let you know their approximate ETA. They will also call you a couple hours prior to their arrival to make arrangements.

You and our driver will do a vehicle inspection to verify the condition of the vehicle at pickup and delivery. You or your representative must be present at time of pickup and delivery and are responsible for signing the condition report at both ends.

If damage has occurred during transit, you will need to call the damage claims manager immediately to ensure your claim is processed promptly: 406-259-1528. Once you have contacted the office, our claims manager will begin the process for repair. It is very important that you do not begin any repairs yourself! Keep in mind that in most cases you only have three days to file the claim.