Welcome to Onyx Auto Transport Help Center
Find answers to common questions about car shipping, including quotes, booking, insurance, pickup, delivery, vehicle preparation, and more.
Instant Car Shipping Quote
Calculating Your Quote
We’re checking your route, vehicle details, and current transport rates to provide you with an accurate estimate.
Find the right guide
Find clear answers for every stage of your vehicle shipment, from choosing a payment option to inspecting your car at delivery. Onyx arranges transportation with an assigned carrier and helps you coordinate the details along the way.
Prepare your vehicle
Get your vehicle ready with a practical checklist for photos, keys, fuel, accessories and personal items.
Car shipping insurance
Understand carrier screening, insurance verification, shipment records and what to do if damage is discovered.
Payment options
Compare the discounted cash option and full card payment, including when payment is processed and what is due at delivery.
Cancellation and refunds
Learn how carrier acceptance affects cancellation charges, how to request a change and how refunds are reviewed.
Pickup and delivery
Plan your handoffs, coordinate truck access, choose a representative and know what to expect at each end.
Bill of lading and inspections
Review shipment paperwork, document the vehicle’s condition and keep the records needed for a claim.
Booking and planning
How do I get a shipping quote?
Use our quote form or contact Onyx with the vehicle, pickup and delivery locations, operating condition and preferred dates. Disclose modifications or special handling needs so the shipment can be priced and planned accurately.
How is the shipping price determined?
Route, distance, vehicle size and condition, transport type, timing and carrier availability can affect the price. Review your quote and booking details, and tell Onyx promptly if anything changes. Visit our car shipping cost guide for more information.
Are pickup and delivery dates guaranteed?
No. Dates and times are estimates under our Terms of Service. Traffic, weather, routing and other transport conditions can affect the schedule. Keep your contacts available for updates and ask Onyx about timing needs before booking.
What is the difference between open and enclosed shipping?
Open transport carries vehicles on an open trailer. Enclosed transport uses a trailer that provides additional shelter from weather and road exposure. Tell Onyx about your vehicle and priorities so we can discuss an appropriate option. Insurance coverage still depends on the assigned carrier’s policy.
How do I book my car shipment?
Review your quote, confirm the vehicle details, locations and preferred dates, then book online or call 800-808-0176. Tell us about any special loading or timing needs before booking.
What happens after I book?
Onyx reviews your shipment details and coordinates carrier availability. Before assignment, we check the carrier’s operating authority and cargo insurance. Once a carrier is assigned, we confirm the shipment arrangements and help you coordinate pickup.
How long does car transportation take?
Transit time depends on the route, distance, pickup schedule and carrier routing. Ask for an estimated window for your specific shipment. Weather, traffic and other transport conditions can affect that estimate.
When will the driver pick up my car?
Pickup is arranged around your first available date and carrier availability. Once a carrier is assigned, the driver or dispatch team coordinates an estimated pickup window with your contact. Your first available date is not automatically a guaranteed pickup date.
When will the driver deliver my car?
The carrier provides an estimated delivery window and contacts you to coordinate arrival. Stay reachable and arrange an authorized adult representative if you cannot attend. Delivery timing can change during transit.
Can I ship multiple cars?
Yes. Give Onyx the details and condition of each vehicle, along with the pickup and delivery locations. We will discuss available capacity and whether the vehicles can travel together or need separate arrangements.
How many cars fit on a transport trailer?
Capacity varies by trailer design and the size and weight of the vehicles. A large multi-car trailer carries more vehicles than a smaller carrier, but the exact load is determined by safe loading and weight limits.
Do I need enclosed transport?
Enclosed shipping provides additional shelter from weather and road exposure and may suit collector, luxury or other high-value vehicles. Discuss ground clearance, modifications and handling requirements with Onyx so an appropriate trailer can be arranged.
Is open transport suitable for my car?
Open transport is a common choice for everyday vehicles. Cars travel on an open trailer and are exposed to weather and road conditions. Tell us if you prefer the additional shelter of an enclosed trailer.
Is Onyx a carrier or a broker?
Onyx Auto Transport is a vehicle transportation broker. We coordinate your shipment with an assigned motor carrier, which performs the physical transportation. Our team helps with scheduling, communication and shipment documentation.
How can I get updates during transportation?
Contact your assigned carrier or Onyx for shipment updates and the latest estimated arrival window. Keep your phone available for scheduling calls. We help coordinate communication throughout the shipment.
What is top-load service?
Top load means placement on the upper deck of a multi-level open trailer. If this is important to you, request it before booking. Availability depends on the trailer and load plan, and any additional charge must be confirmed.
Can I ship a modified or oversized vehicle?
Often, yes. Tell us about lift kits, oversized tires, lowered suspension, roof accessories and other modifications. Provide accurate dimensions and photos when requested so we can confirm suitable equipment and pricing.
What does operable or inoperable mean?
An operable vehicle can be driven safely for loading and unloading. Tell Onyx if it will not start, steer, brake or roll normally, or if any condition prevents safe loading. The exact condition determines the equipment needed.
Can I ship a car that does not run?
Non-running vehicles may be shipped when suitable loading and unloading arrangements are available. Disclose the condition before booking, including whether the vehicle rolls, steers and brakes. Extra equipment or charges may apply.
Can I ship my vehicle cross-country?
Yes. Onyx arranges long-distance vehicle shipping across the contiguous United States. Share your route, preferred dates and vehicle details so we can discuss transport options and an estimated schedule.
Payment and changes
Do I pay when I book?
No payment is required at booking. With the discounted cash option, your deposit is processed after carrier assignment and the remaining balance is paid to the carrier at delivery. With one-time full payment, the total shipping price is paid by credit or debit card after assignment. See payment options.
Can I use a card to pay the driver?
Credit or debit cards and personal checks are not accepted for the discounted cash balance at delivery. Confirm the amount, payee and accepted method with your assigned carrier beforehand. Some carriers accept Zelle or Venmo only with prior confirmation.
Can I cancel my order?
Yes. Cancellation is free before a carrier accepts your order. After carrier acceptance, Section 8 of our terms provides for a minimum $230 cancellation fee and any applicable carrier charges. Contact Onyx with your order number and read the cancellation and refund guide.
Can I change my dates or locations?
Contact Onyx as soon as your plans change. Adjustments depend on carrier availability and order status and may affect pricing or charges. Ask us to confirm the revised shipment details.
Vehicle preparation and handoffs
Can I leave belongings in the vehicle?
Personal belongings are at your own risk. Our terms permit one bag or suitcase of up to 100 pounds in the trunk or storage area, with advance notice; the carrier may refuse it. Prohibited items are not allowed. Review the preparation guide and our terms before packing.
Does someone need to be present?
You or an authorized adult representative must attend pickup and delivery. The representative should inspect with the driver, review the paperwork, keep signed copies and handle any payment due.
Will the carrier reach my exact address?
The truck must be able to reach the address safely and legally. Narrow streets, low clearance or parking restrictions may require a nearby accessible meeting location agreed with the driver.
What paperwork should I keep?
Keep your booking confirmation, pickup and delivery inspection reports or bill of lading, photos, payment records and relevant messages. Our bill of lading and inspection guide explains what to review before signing.
How should I prepare my car before shipping?
Clean the vehicle enough to inspect it, photograph its condition, remove valuables and loose accessories, and provide the keys needed to operate it. Follow our preparation guide for fuel, alarms, toll tags and special vehicle instructions.
Should I inspect the car before pickup?
Yes. Inspect the vehicle with the driver, record existing marks on the pickup report and take clear photos. Review the report before signing and keep a copy so you can compare the condition at delivery.
What if I cannot receive the car at the scheduled time?
Contact Onyx and the carrier promptly. Arrange an authorized adult representative who can inspect the vehicle, sign the paperwork and handle any balance due. Missed delivery or storage arrangements may involve additional charges under your shipment terms.
Is the service door-to-door?
Pickup and delivery are arranged as close to your specified addresses as the truck can safely and legally reach. If access is restricted, coordinate a nearby suitable meeting location with the driver.
Can you pick up a car from a storage facility?
Yes, subject to facility access and release requirements. Provide the facility contact, operating hours, vehicle location and any required authorization. Settle storage charges and confirm the vehicle is released before the carrier arrives.
Can I ship a car from an auto auction?
Yes. Call 800-808-0176 for auction shipments, including Copart, IAA and Manheim, so we can confirm the vehicle’s condition, release requirements and loading needs. Do not rely on a standard online quote for an auction vehicle. Confirm unloading arrangements for non-running vehicles before booking.
Can you deliver a dealership purchase to my home?
Yes. Coordinate payment and release with the dealership, then provide Onyx with the dealer contact, vehicle details and destination. The carrier will arrange pickup during the dealership’s available hours and delivery as close to your home as safely accessible.
Can I ship furniture in my car?
Car shipping is not a household-moving service. Do not pack furniture or bulky household goods into the vehicle. Follow the limited personal-belongings allowance in our Terms of Service and confirm any permitted items before pickup.
Can I ship a vehicle with low ground clearance?
Tell Onyx the actual ground clearance before booking and disclose lowered suspension, spoilers or body kits. Photos and measurements help us confirm a carrier with suitable loading equipment. Do not assume every trailer can accommodate the vehicle.
Can I ship a vehicle with a roof rack?
Disclose roof racks, cargo boxes and other accessories before booking because they can affect height and loading. Remove detachable or loose accessories when practical, and follow the carrier’s preparation instructions.
What is a bill of lading?
The bill of lading is the carrier’s shipment document and may also serve as a receipt and transport contract. Review the vehicle details and condition records, note any discrepancies at the appropriate handoff, and keep signed pickup and delivery copies.
Insurance and damage reporting
Is my car insured during transportation?
Your shipment travels with the assigned carrier’s cargo insurance, subject to its policy terms, limits and exclusions. Before assignment, Onyx checks the carrier’s operating authority and cargo insurance and attaches the insurance documentation to your shipment record. Read our insurance guide.
What does carrier cargo insurance cover?
Coverage for transport-related loss or damage depends on the assigned carrier’s policy and the circumstances. Limits, deductibles and exclusions vary. Personal belongings travel at your own risk under our terms; do not assume that every loss is covered.
What should I do if I discover damage?
Inspect with the driver and record any new visible damage on the delivery report before signing. Take clear photos and keep the final signed copy. Notify Onyx promptly and no later than 48 hours after delivery if you intend to file a claim. Claims are submitted directly to the carrier; Onyx can provide shipment and carrier insurance documentation.
Are personal belongings inside the car insured?
Personal belongings travel at your own risk under our Terms of Service. Do not assume the carrier’s cargo insurance covers them. Remove valuables and follow the permitted-item limits before pickup.