Essential Questions to Ask Your Car Shipping Company

Thinking about shipping your car?

Good choice. The auto transport industry is booming, with estimated revenues to exceed $11.5 billion by 2025.

Millions of Americans ship their cars each year, whether moving across the country or shipping a vehicle for sale.

The problem is, with so many companies in the industry, how do you choose the right one? And how do you avoid getting scammed?

Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Let’s take a look at the essential questions to ask when vetting a car shipping service.

By the end of this post, you’ll be a car shipping expert. Ready to choose the best company to transport your vehicle.

What You’ll Learn:

• How To Spot Red Flags Before They Cost You Money
• The Must-Ask Questions That Separate Good Companies From Scammers
• What Information You Need To Get The Best Deal
• How To Protect Yourself From Common Car Shipping Scams

How To Spot Red Flags Before They Cost You Money

Need a little something to knock your socks off?

Nearly 20% of all customers report some sort of scam during the car shipping process. Yes, 1 in 5.

Shocking, right?

Here’s what’s not shocking:

Most people don’t know what questions to ask. They focus solely on price and end up with companies that either run away with their deposit or saddle them with surprise fees.

But here’s the thing…

If you ask the right questions up front, you can spot these problems before they happen.

Companies that can’t or won’t answer basic questions about licensing, insurance, and their shipping process are almost always problems.

Companies with legitimate operations have no problem providing their USDOT and MC numbers. Scammers? They’ll either change the subject or provide bogus numbers.

What’s more, if you’re looking for an added layer of protection during the transport of your vehicle, check out companies that offer a premium auto transport service that uses enclosed carriers and provide added protection for your more valuable vehicles.

The Must-Ask Questions That Separate Good Companies From Scammers

Time to separate the wheat from the chaff.

These questions will allow you to spot the real deal in car shipping services and weed out the companies looking to take your money.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

This should be question #1. Period.

Every car shipping company is required to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Every. Single. One.

This means they have both a USDOT number and an MC (Motor Carrier) number.

Verify both numbers online.

You can look both of these numbers up on the FMCSA website. There you can see safety ratings, insurance status, and complaints.

If they can’t or won’t give these numbers to you, RUN.

This one is non-negotiable. Don’t accept their word for it.

Companies that are not properly licensed are not operating legally and are not going to help you when you need them.

What’s Your Payment Policy?

Here’s where a lot of people get burned…

Legitimate companies will only ask for a small deposit when you book. The remainder is paid when your car is delivered.

A company that asks for full payment (especially upfront, via wire transfer, or in cash) is a big red flag.

NEVER pay the full amount until your car is picked up.

Good companies accept credit cards, which provide a layer of protection if there’s a problem. Scammers want untraceable forms of payment so they can disappear with your money.

Can You Provide References?

Any reputable car shipping company should have happy customers they can provide as references.

Ask for recent customers who’ve shipped a similar vehicle. Get names and numbers.

But don’t stop there…

Look up online reviews. Search on Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau, and industry specific sites.

Pay attention to how they respond to negative reviews. Good companies try to work with customers and will respond professionally.

What’s Included in Your Insurance Coverage?

Ask this question. It’s critical.

Legally, all licensed carriers must carry cargo insurance. But the amounts they cover vary widely. The basic coverage for damaged items is a whopping 60 cents/pound.

Ask these follow up questions:

• What’s the dollar amount of your cargo insurance?
• Does it cover the full value of my car?
• What’s the claims process if my vehicle is damaged?
• Can I purchase additional coverage?

Get this in writing. If they can’t provide clear answers about their insurance coverage, shop elsewhere.

How Do You Handle Delays?

Delays happen. Weather, mechanical problems, and route changes are all factors that can cause delays in delivering your vehicle.

The question is, how does the company handle these things?

Good companies will:

• Communicate the delay to you promptly
• Provide you with an updated delivery estimate
• Compensate for significant delays
• Be transparent about their policy on weather-related delays

Companies that don’t want to discuss their policies around delays or claim they are “never late” are the ones that will leave you hanging.

What Information You Need To Get The Best Deal

The more information you provide, the more accurate the quote will be.

Legitimate car shipping services will need these details to give you a fair price:

Vehicle Details

• Make, model, year
• Running condition
• Modifications or special requirements

Pickup and Delivery Info:

• Exact addresses (not just cities)
• Preferred dates
• Flexibility with timing

Transport Preferences

• Open vs. enclosed transport
• Terminal vs. door-to-door
• Insurance requirements

If a company provides a quote without asking for this information, they are probably lowballing you.

How To Protect Yourself From Common Car Shipping Scams

The BBB saw a 21% increase in auto shipping scams from 2019 to 2020. Don’t become a victim.

Here are some of the most common car shipping scams and how to avoid them.

The Bait and Switch

This is the most common scam.

They quote an unbelievably low price, then come back to you later, demanding more money.

Their “reasons” are always the same. They “found additional costs”, or their quote was just an estimate, or they used the lowball number to “get you to book”.

Avoid it: Get everything in writing. If a price seems too low to be true, it probably is.

The Deposit Disappearance

Scammers take your deposit and disappear. You never hear from them again, and your car is never picked up.

Avoid it: Work only with companies that have physical business addresses and verifiable phone numbers. Don’t pay large deposits upfront.

The Fake Website Scam

Scammers create slick websites, stealing information from legitimate companies.

Names, logos, and contact information are the same or very similar to reputable businesses.

They also copy customer reviews and content to make it look like they are a well-established, successful business.

Avoid it: Verify the company’s USDOT and MC numbers with the FMCSA.

Call their phone number and ask questions. Reputable companies have well-informed and responsive staff members.

Wrapping It All Together

Finding the right car shipping service doesn’t have to be difficult. As long as you know the right questions to ask, and are aware of red flags to avoid, you can find a company that will transport your vehicle safely and professionally.

Remember these key points:

• Always verify licensing and insurance
• Never pay full amounts upfront
• Get everything in writing
• Check references and reviews
• Trust your instincts

There are many honest, professional car shipping companies out there. But there are also scammers and sleazy companies looking to take advantage of the uninformed consumer.

Do your homework. Ask the right questions, and you’ll avoid the headaches that plague other car shipping customers.

Your vehicle (and your wallet) will thank you for it.

Thinking about shipping your car?

Use these questions to find a company you can trust and don’t settle for anything less than complete transparency