To ship a car from IAAI, pay for your auction purchase, confirm the car is ready for release, and check the pickup rules for its exact location. Give your shipping company the correct stock number, pickup details, and car condition. An assigned carrier can then arrange collection and transport your car to the delivery address. Book early because IAAI payment and storage deadlines can be short.
Winning a car at an IAAI auction is exciting, but the purchase is only the first step. You still need to get the car out of the auction yard and move it to your home, repair shop, or business.
The important details are usually the pickup location, release status, deadline, and whether the car can be loaded. This guide explains how IAAI car shipping works and what to confirm before a carrier arrives.
What to Check Before Shipping a Car from IAAI
Confirm Your IAAI Auction Pickup Location
Start with the exact location shown in your purchase records. IAAI sells cars through many branches, and some online auction listings may be stored at a separate yard or another provider's location.
Check the street address, pickup hours, branch phone number, stock number, and any instructions in your release email. Use the official IAAI locations directory to review branch details. Do not send a driver based on the auction name alone.
Check the Car's Condition Before Booking
Look closely at the listing photos and condition notes. Tell your shipping company whether the car starts, rolls, steers, and brakes. Also report missing keys, flat tires, damaged wheels, low ground clearance, or parts that could fall off during loading.
A car marked "run and drive" in an auction listing should not be treated as a promise that it will operate normally at pickup. The assigned carrier needs accurate loading information before accepting the job.
How to Ship a Car from IAAI Step by Step
1. Complete Your IAAI Payment
Pay your auction invoice and any required IAAI fees using an accepted payment method. Check that IAAI has recorded your payment. A payment receipt alone may not mean every release requirement is finished. The auction explains available methods on its How to Pay page.
2. Get Your Pickup and Release Information
Find the stock number, buyer information, paid receipt, and pickup instructions. Ask IAAI what authorization your assigned carrier must show. Depending on the location, this may involve a release document, an email with pickup instructions, or other buyer-approved details.
For some online-exclusive purchases, IAAI says its post-payment pickup email serves as the release form. Do not assume that the same document works at every branch.
3. Arrange the Right Car Shipping Service
Give Ship A1 Auto Transport the IAAI pickup address, destination ZIP code, car year, make, model, and current condition. Explain whether the car is running and if any special loading help is needed.
Open transport is a common choice for everyday cars. Enclosed transport may suit a classic or high-value car that needs extra protection from road debris and weather. For a damaged or non-running car, the carrier's loading equipment matters more than the trailer style alone.
4. Schedule Pickup at the IAAI Location
After the auction releases the car and a carrier is assigned, pickup can be coordinated around the location's hours and procedures. Some facilities use scheduled pickup windows. Drivers may use the IAA Tow App to register as transporters, receive updates, and schedule pickups. Check whether the particular location requires it.
Drivers should also follow the yard's safety rules. Several IAAI branch pages require transport drivers to wear a high-visibility safety vest while on the property.
5. Vehicle Pickup and Condition Inspection
At the yard, the driver follows the release process, finds the correct stock number, and confirms the car can be loaded. The carrier should record the visible condition and take photos when possible. Existing auction damage should be noted before the car leaves.
Non-running cars may need a winch or other loading assistance. Do not assume the auction will provide every type of equipment. Ask the branch and the assigned carrier what is available.
6. Receive Your Car at the Destination
Keep your phone available as the driver approaches. Pickup and delivery dates are estimates, so allow for changes caused by route planning, weather, or traffic.
At delivery, inspect the car before signing the delivery paperwork. Compare its condition with the pickup photos, note any new visible damage, and keep copies of your documents.
IAAI Payment Deadlines, Storage Fees, and Pickup Rules
One of the easiest ways to add costs to an auction purchase is to wait too long to arrange pickup. IAAI branches publish payment due dates, pickup hours, free storage periods, and daily storage fees. These details can differ by location and sale type.
| What to Check | Why It Matters | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Payment deadline | Late payment may lead to extra fees. | IAAI invoice and branch page |
| Free storage period | Storage charges may begin before a carrier arrives. | IAAI branch page |
| Pickup and removal deadline | Waiting may lead to storage or relocation charges. | IAAI branch instructions |
| Yard hours and appointment rules | A driver may be turned away outside the pickup window. | IAAI branch or pickup email |
| Release paperwork | Missing authorization can delay collection. | IAAI account, email, or branch |
For example, the IAAI Dallas/Ft Worth branch listing shows a specific payment deadline, free storage period, and daily storage fee. Those figures are an example of one branch's rules, not a nationwide policy. Always confirm the rules for your own purchase.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from IAAI?
IAAI car shipping costs depend on the route and what the carrier must do to load and deliver the car. An auction purchase in a large metro area may have different carrier availability than one at a remote yard.
These factors can affect your quote:
- Distance: Longer trips usually cost more overall.
- Car size and weight: Large SUVs and pickup trucks may need more trailer space.
- Running condition: Cars that cannot be driven or rolled onto a trailer may need special loading.
- Trailer choice: Enclosed shipping generally costs more than open shipping.
- Pickup access: Branch hours, release delays, and difficult loading conditions can affect scheduling.
- Carrier availability: The route and pickup timing can change the rate.
IAAI storage fees and purchase charges are separate from the price charged to move the car. Request a quote using the actual pickup location and car condition rather than relying only on the auction listing price.
Does Shipping a Non-Running IAAI Car Cost More?
It can. A non-running car may need a winch, careful positioning, or a carrier equipped for damaged cars. Tell Ship A1 if the car cannot start, roll, steer, or brake, or if the keys are missing.
Ship A1's supplied Terms &; Conditions specify a $150 non-operable car fee assessed at delivery when a car is inoperative at pickup or becomes inoperative during transport. This is not the total shipping price. Review your booking terms and confirm the full charges before scheduling.
IAAI Car Shipping Options: IAA Transport vs. Independent Companies
IAAI offers its own IAA Transport service. Buyers can also arrange an independent car shipping company when the auction's release and pickup requirements allow it.
| Option | How It Works | Before You Choose |
|---|---|---|
| IAA Transport | The auction arranges transport through a carrier under its transport program. | Review the program's service area, quote, and terms. |
| Independent car shipping | You arrange shipping separately. An assigned carrier collects and moves the car. | Confirm IAAI release authorization, the carrier's equipment, and pickup timing. |
IAA Transport has its own program terms. Those terms do not automatically apply to a shipment arranged through Ship A1. Compare the actual quotes, responsibilities, and pickup arrangements before deciding.
IAAI Title Documents and Car Shipping Insurance
Does the Title Need to Travel With the Car?
Not always. Title availability and delivery depend on the car's paperwork, sale type, state, and IAAI instructions. Some titles may be handled separately from the car itself. Ask IAAI how and when the title will be released before the driver arrives.
Keep the original title in a secure place unless IAAI or another required party specifically instructs otherwise. Do not leave important documents inside the car without confirming the pickup requirements.
What Happens if the Car Is Damaged During Shipping?
Auction cars can already have dents, missing parts, or mechanical problems. Good pickup photos and accurate inspection notes make it easier to tell what condition existed before transport.
For shipments arranged by Ship A1 Auto Transport, the assigned carrier has primary responsibility for transport insurance. Ask for the carrier's insurance information and review what it covers. If you notice new damage at delivery, record it on the paperwork, take photos, and report it promptly under the applicable claim process. The FMCSA auto transport consumer advisory offers general guidance on checking transport companies.
IAAI Car Shipping Checklist
Before booking a carrier, make sure you have:
- Confirmed the car's exact IAAI pickup location and stock number.
- Paid the auction bill and checked the release status.
- Read the branch's payment, pickup, and storage deadlines.
- Asked what permission the driver needs to collect the car.
- Disclosed missing keys and any starting, steering, rolling, or braking problems.
- Provided the correct delivery address and contact phone number.
- Checked the quote, carrier details, and expected pickup window.
Frequently Asked Questions About IAAI Car Shipping
Can I Hire My Own Shipping Company to Pick Up a Car From IAAI?
Yes, buyers can generally arrange independent transport, subject to the sale and location's pickup rules. Make sure the car is paid for, ready for release, and properly authorized for the assigned driver.
What Documents Does a Driver Need to Pick Up My IAAI Car?
Requirements vary. Have your stock number, payment confirmation, and pickup instructions ready. Ask the branch whether a release form, buyer authorization, driver identification, or another document is required.
How Soon Do I Need to Pick Up a Car After Winning an IAAI Auction?
Check the branch page immediately after the sale. Each location lists payment and removal deadlines, and storage charges may start after its free period. The deadlines for one branch may not apply to another.
Can I Ship a Non-Running Car From IAAI?
Yes, if the assigned carrier has suitable equipment and the yard can release the car safely. Explain whether the car rolls, steers, brakes, and has keys before booking.
Do Transporters Need the IAA Tow App?
IAA provides the Tow App for registered transporters to receive updates and schedule pickups. Whether it is required for a particular pickup should be confirmed with the branch and assigned driver.
Can I Ship an IAAI Car Without Keys?
It may be possible, but missing keys can make loading harder. Tell the shipping company before dispatch so the carrier can check what equipment and help will be needed.
Does the Car Title Have to Be Ready Before Pickup?
Ask IAAI about the title status and any sale-specific release conditions. A title may be processed separately, but you should never assume the car can leave until IAAI confirms it is released.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car From IAAI?
It depends on when the car is released, carrier availability, route distance, and road conditions. The pickup wait and driving time are separate. Ask for an estimated window, not a guaranteed delivery date.
Arrange IAAI Car Shipping With Ship A1 Auto Transport
Ship A1 Auto Transport helps arrange auto auction car transport through assigned carriers. Share your IAAI branch, stock number, destination, and car condition so the team can review the right pickup and shipping options.
Need to move a car you bought at IAAI?
Get a quote before your pickup deadline. Call 1 (844) 474-4721 or send your shipping details online.
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