At a Glance
The questions that change your outcome are not the obvious ones. They are about who holds the insurance, what happens if no carrier accepts the load, and who signs at delivery.
Our published long-haul reference rate is about $0.58 per mile, and we charge nothing until a carrier is dispatched. Those two facts answer more questions than any FAQ list.
What you will learn:
- The pricing questions that reveal how a quote was built
- What to ask about insurance specifically
- The access and paperwork questions people forget
Written by Daniela Quinchia —
Reviewed by
Last updated: 20 September 2026. This guide follows our editorial policy: every figure is either sourced to a named authority or flagged for verification.
Questions about price
The useful pricing questions are about how the number was built, not what it is.
- What is this quote based on? Distance, vehicle size, transport type and current lane conditions should all be named.
- What happens if no carrier accepts it? The most revealing question you can ask. The honest answer describes a process.
- When do I pay, and how much upfront? We charge nothing until a carrier is dispatched.
- Can the price change after booking? Under what circumstances, and with what notice.
- Is anything excluded from this number? Non-running surcharges, oversized handling, remote pickup.
Our published long-haul reference rate is about $0.58 per mile. Our full breakdown is in what determines car shipping cost.
Questions about insurance
“Fully insured” is a phrase, not a fact. Ask for figures.
- What is the cargo coverage amount on the assigned carrier?
- Whose policy responds — the broker’s or the carrier’s?
- What is excluded? Personal items almost always are.
- Does the coverage reach my vehicle’s value? Critical for collector cars — see classic car shipping mistakes.
- How is a claim filed, and within what window?
Get the answers in writing before booking, not after damage.
Questions about timing
Timing questions should separate the two clocks: waiting for a carrier, and the drive itself.
- What is the pickup window, and what would widen it?
- How long is transit once loaded? A window, not a promise.
- What happens if the driver is delayed? Weather and mechanical issues happen.
- How much notice before pickup and delivery? Usually a call the day before and again en route.
- Is my route seasonal? Snowbird corridors reprice and tighten twice a year.
Our guide on how long auto transport takes covers both clocks.
Questions about access and delivery
These are the questions people forget, and they cause most of the day-of friction.
- Can a full-size carrier reach my street? Narrow, gated or low-clearance streets frequently cannot take an 80-foot truck.
- If not, where is the meeting point? Normally a nearby accessible lot.
- Who can sign at delivery? Anyone over 18 you authorise in advance.
- What if nobody is available? Tell dispatch early rather than on the day.
- Can I change the delivery address? Sometimes, but only before routing.
Our guide on door-to-door shipping covers access in detail.
Questions about the vehicle itself
Anything unusual about your vehicle should be raised at quote time, not at pickup.
- Does it run, roll, steer and brake? Four separate answers — see shipping an inoperable vehicle.
- Any modifications? Lift kits, lowered suspension, roof racks, oversized tires.
- How much fuel should I leave? About a quarter tank.
- Can I leave anything inside? Generally no.
- Open or enclosed, and which do you recommend for this vehicle?
Questions about the company
Five questions that establish whether you are dealing with a real operation.
- What are your MC and USDOT numbers? Ours are MC 1648063 and USDOT 4251528.
- Are you a broker or a carrier? Both are legitimate; you want to know which.
- How do I reach you during transit? A number that a person answers.
- What does the Bill of Lading process look like?
- What happens if something goes wrong? A described process, not reassurance.
Our guide on transport scam warning signs covers what the wrong answers sound like.
Explore the full carrier-vetting toolkit
- Spotting transport scams — Red flags before you pay anything.
- Auto transport FAQs — The questions we get most.
- 7 costly car shipping mistakes — What goes wrong and how to avoid it.
- How much does car shipping cost — Every factor that moves the number.
- How long auto transport takes — Realistic transit windows.
- How to prepare a car for transport — Pre-pickup checklist.
- Door-to-door car shipping — How pickup and delivery work.
- Open auto transport — The default method explained.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book auto transport?
Two to three weeks for most routes, and four to six on seasonal lanes during their peak. Booking earlier widens the pool of carriers that can match your dates rather than forcing you to accept whatever is available.
Who is responsible if my car is damaged?
The assigned carrier’s cargo insurance responds, and the claim is measured against the condition recorded on the Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery. That is why the inspection at both ends matters more than anything else.
Can I track my vehicle during transport?
You receive updates through dispatch, and drivers typically call ahead before delivery. Continuous live tracking is not universal across all carriers, so ask specifically if it matters to you.
What happens if no carrier accepts my load?
The load stays posted and unassigned, which means no pickup. A well-priced load is matched; an underpriced one waits. Ask any broker what their process is when a load does not move.
Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?
Someone over 18 must be present at both ends to release or receive the vehicle, inspect condition and sign the Bill of Lading. It does not have to be you if you name an authorised person in advance.
What is the difference between a broker and a carrier?
A carrier owns and operates the trucks. A broker arranges transport with a network of carriers. Both require federal registration, and brokers must additionally hold $75,000 in financial security.
Key takeaways
- Ask who holds the cargo insurance and for how much. ‘Fully insured’ is not an answer.
- Ask what happens if no carrier accepts the load at the quoted price.
- Ask who can sign at delivery. Someone over 18 must be there, and it does not have to be you.
Ask us directly — or see our nationwide vehicle shipping service details.
References
- Broker Registration. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- 49 CFR 387.307 – Property broker surety bond or trust fund. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- How do I register with FMCSA as a broker?. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.