The company that physically carries your car—not simply the broker that books it—must answer the insurance questions. Before pickup, identify the carrier, verify its federal registration, request its current insurance certificate, and confirm with the insurer that the policy applies to your vehicle and trip.
Broker and carrier are different companies
An auto-transport broker arranges a carrier. It normally does not own the truck or take possession of the vehicle. The carrier supplies the driver and equipment and performs the transport. Ask the broker when the carrier will be assigned and require the carrier’s legal name, U.S. DOT number, MC number, contact details, and insurance information before releasing the car.
Search both companies through the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance system. Confirm that the carrier’s authority is active and that the name on the truck, shipping papers, and insurance certificate matches.
Federal liability filing is not car-damage coverage
FMCSA requires interstate carriers to maintain public-liability protection based on the company and vehicle type. That protection addresses bodily injury and property damage to the public. FMCSA’s current filing table shows no federal cargo-insurance filing requirement for ordinary non-hazardous property carriers. A federal registration screen therefore does not tell you what a carrier’s policy will pay for damage to your car.
Ask for the actual cargo or motor-truck-cargo policy evidence and read the written shipping agreement. Do not rely on a website badge saying “fully insured.”
Insurance questions to ask
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What are the per-vehicle and per-event limits? | A trailer may carry several valuable vehicles under one total limit |
| Who pays the deductible? | The agreement may assign it to the carrier or customer |
| Which events and vehicle parts are excluded? | Policies can treat road debris, weather, personal items, glass, or mechanical issues differently |
| When does coverage begin and end? | Loading, storage, transfers, and unloading must be clear |
| How is a claim filed? | Notice deadlines and required documents affect recovery |
Call the insurance agent shown on the certificate using independently verified contact information. Confirm policy dates, carrier name, limits, and whether the insurer recognizes the described transport.
Ask your personal auto insurer too
Your own auto or collector policy may provide some protection, exclude commercial transport, or pay first and seek repayment from the carrier. Ask before pickup about comprehensive and collision coverage, deductibles, diminished value, rental transportation, personal property, and notice requirements. Keep the response with the shipping documents.
Create a clear pickup inspection
- Wash the car so existing marks are visible.
- Remove personal property and loose accessories not accepted in writing.
- Photograph every body panel, glass, roof, wheels, tires, underside areas visible safely, interior, mileage, and fuel level.
- Use good light and include wide views and close-ups.
- Compare your photos with the driver’s pickup condition report.
- Correct missing or inaccurate marks before both parties sign.
The transport document may be called a bill of lading and may also contain the condition report. Save a readable signed copy before the carrier leaves.
Inspect before accepting delivery
Inspect in daylight or strong lighting before driving away. Compare every panel, wheel, glass surface, accessory, mileage, and the interior with pickup records. Test normal basic functions that could reveal transport damage. Write every new concern on the delivery document before signing and photograph it while the vehicle remains at delivery.
If the driver discourages inspection or asks for a clean signature first, do not surrender the opportunity to document condition. Follow payment terms without signing an inaccurate inspection.
File a complete claim promptly
Follow the carrier’s written claim instructions and notify your own insurer when required. Include the transport agreement, signed pickup and delivery reports, dated photos, repair estimate, proof of value or ownership, payment record, and communications. Preserve damaged parts when practical and do not complete non-emergency repairs until the insurer explains its inspection requirements.
Car-shipping protection checklist
- Broker and actual carrier identified
- FMCSA authority checked under exact legal names
- Carrier insurance certificate obtained and verified
- Limits, deductible, exclusions, and claim process read
- Personal auto insurer contacted
- Pickup photos and signed condition report saved
- Delivery inspected before a clean signature
Moveline’s provider research questions explain how to evaluate licensing, real reviews, written prices, insurance, and payment before booking.