How Car Shipping Insurance Works — Protect Your Vehicle the Smart Way
When you ship your car, insurance coverage is one of the most misunderstood parts of the process — yet it’s your biggest protection.
At The Best Auto Shipping, we make sure every customer knows how to stay covered from pickup to delivery. Here’s how it really works 👇
🚚 Every Carrier Must Have Active Insurance
All licensed auto transport carriers in the U.S. are required by law to carry:
- Cargo insurance — usually between $100,000 and $250,000
- Liability insurance — typically $750,000 to $1,000,000
This protects your vehicle while it’s being shipped, covering damage caused by the transport process itself.
Before we assign any carrier, we confirm they are active and listed on Central Dispatch, which verifies that their insurance and operating authority are valid through the FMCSA.
🧾 The Broker’s Role: Transparency and Verification
As your broker, we don’t own the trucks — but we handle the most important part of the process.
All carriers we work with are registered and rated on Central Dispatch, which requires active FMCSA authority and insurance on file.
When your shipment is assigned, we’ll provide the carrier’s name, MC number, and contact information so you can review their credentials yourself on the official FMCSA website.
This transparency ensures you always know exactly who’s moving your vehicle — and that they are fully authorized to operate.
📸 Take Photos and Video at Pickup
Before loading, take clear photos and a short video of your entire vehicle — all sides, bumpers, mirrors, and wheels.
These serve as your proof of condition before transport.
💡 Pro Tip: If possible, record the driver’s inspection (with their permission).
When your car is delivered, you’ll have something to compare it against, making it easy to spot and document any transport-related damage.
⚠️ Inspect Thoroughly at Delivery — Before the Driver Leaves
When your vehicle arrives, inspect it carefully before signing the Bill of Lading.
Walk around the car slowly, even if it’s dark or raining. Use a flashlight or your phone’s light to see clearly.
If you see any new damage, note it on the Bill of Lading while the driver is still there.
Take photos showing the damage with the driver pointing at it — that visual proof confirms they acknowledged it on-site.
Never let the driver leave until you have documentation that they accepted responsibility.
Once they drive away, it becomes much harder to pursue a claim, and The Best Auto Shipping loses leverage to pressure the carrier’s insurance for a quick resolution.
🌙 Night Deliveries — No Excuses Later
If delivery happens after dark, take your time.
Wipe off any dust or dirt that might hide scratches or dents.
Calling the next day to say “it was too dark” or “the car was dirty” won’t help your claim —
just like you can’t report a fender-bender a day later and expect full coverage.
All claims must be documented on the spot, with the driver present and the damage written on the Bill of Lading.
💡 Pro Tip: Always keep a small flashlight handy — it can save you thousands.
🎒 What’s Covered — and What’s Not
Your vehicle’s exterior and transport-related damage are covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance.
However, personal belongings inside the car are not covered.
Most carriers allow up to 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk or back seat, but it’s at your own risk.
If something goes missing or is damaged, the carrier’s insurance won’t cover it.
✅ Safe: clothes, tools, or small boxes under 100 lbs
❌ Risky: cash, jewelry, electronics, or important documents
💡 Pro Tip: Keep all valuables, paperwork, and registration with you.
Remember — ship the car, not your stuff.
⚙️ What Insurance Really Covers
Auto transport insurance covers exterior damage caused by shipping — for example, if a strap comes loose, debris hits the car, or another vehicle shifts on the trailer.
It does not cover mechanical failures or unrelated issues.
If your car doesn’t start, has a dead battery, or develops a check-engine light after delivery, that’s considered normal wear and tear — not transport damage.
In short:
- ✅ Covered: Scratches, dents, or transport-related damage
- ❌ Not Covered: Engine, transmission, battery, or existing mechanical problems
💡 Pro Tip: Before pickup, check that your car runs, steers, and brakes properly.
That way, if anything changes after delivery, you’ll know if it’s transport-related or mechanical.
✅ The Bottom Line
When you ship with The Best Auto Shipping, you get:
- Verified, FMCSA-authorized carriers
- Zero-deductible insurance on transport-related damage
- Full inspections at pickup and delivery
- A transparent process from start to finish
We believe in real prices and real results — with honesty and communication at every step.
Ready to ship your car safely?
👉 Request a Quote today and experience the difference.
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