Quick answer: To choose an auto transport company, check its USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA register, ask for proof of insurance, read recent reviews, and get the price, deposit terms and pickup window in writing before you book. Find out whether it is a broker or a carrier, how damage claims work and what happens if you cancel. The nine-point checklist below covers each check, and our auto transport services page shows how ABC Auto Shipping handles them.
Most people ship a car only a few times in their lives, so it is hard to tell a careful company from a careless one. Quotes look alike, and the problems, such as a price that rises after booking, a pickup that never happens or a damage claim nobody answers, only show up later. This guide explains how to choose a car shipping company you can trust: what to check, where to check it, the red flags in a quote, and what to look for if you are shipping in or out of Texas.
The 9-Point Checklist at a Glance
| # | What to check | How to check it | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Federal registration | Search the USDOT or MC number on FMCSA’s SAFER site | No number, a name that does not match, or a status other than “authorized” |
| 2 | Insurance | Ask for the certificate and check the per-vehicle limit | Will not send a certificate |
| 3 | Reviews | Read recent reviews on Google, the BBB and one other site | The same complaint again and again |
| 4 | Deposit and payment | Ask when you pay, how much and how | A large payment before a carrier is assigned |
| 5 | Broker or carrier | Ask, then check the entity type on FMCSA | The company will not say |
| 6 | Written, all-in quote | Compare at least three quotes for the same service | A price far below the others |
| 7 | Pickup window | Get the window in writing and ask how it narrows | An exact date promised for free |
| 8 | Damage claims | Ask how the bill of lading inspection and claims work | No written inspection at pickup |
| 9 | Cancellation terms | Get the terms in writing before you book | A fee or lost deposit nobody explained |
1. Check the USDOT and MC Numbers on FMCSA
Every company that arranges or hauls cars across state lines for pay must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It needs a USDOT number and operating authority, which is shown as an MC number. Checking takes about two minutes:
- Ask the company for its USDOT and MC numbers. A legitimate company gives them straight away, and many print them on their website and quotes.
- Search either number on FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot. The snapshot shows both numbers.
- Check that the legal name matches the company quoting you, that the operating authority status says “Authorized”, and that there is no out-of-service date.
- Look at the entity type, which tells you whether the company is a carrier, a broker or both.
For example, ABC Auto Shipping’s USDOT number 2340626 shows the entity type “Broker”, authorized as a broker of property, under MC-797279, with no out-of-service date.
2. Ask for the Insurance Certificate
Carriers must carry liability insurance, and car carriers also carry cargo insurance for the vehicles they haul. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance and check:
- The per-vehicle cargo limit, compared with your car’s value
- The deductible, and whether you would pay any of it
- What is excluded, such as weather damage or items left in the car
When you book through a broker, the cargo insurance that covers your car is usually the assigned carrier’s, so ask for that carrier’s certificate once a truck is assigned. Brokers must also keep $75,000 in financial security, a surety bond or trust fund, on file with FMCSA. Personal items left in the car are not covered by cargo insurance. Our guide to car shipping insurance explains who pays for what.
3. Read Recent Reviews on More Than One Site
Reviews show how a company behaves when something goes wrong. Read them on Google, the Better Business Bureau and at least one other review site, and focus on the last year.
- Look for patterns. One late delivery is normal. Repeated complaints about price increases after booking are not.
- Read the low ratings and the replies. A clear, polite answer that explains what happened is a good sign.
- Be wary of a sudden burst of short five-star reviews with no detail.
- Check the name. Many car shipping companies have similar names, so make sure the reviews belong to the company quoting you.
4. Find Out When You Pay and How Much
Deposit terms vary more than almost anything else in car shipping. Some companies take a deposit at booking, before any carrier has agreed to move the car. If no truck accepts the price, the car can sit for days while your money is already gone. Ask:
- Is there a deposit, and is it refunded if no carrier is assigned?
- When is the balance due, and is it paid to the company or to the driver?
- Which payment methods are accepted?
ABC Auto Shipping does not take a deposit. You pay only once your carrier is secured. See how no-deposit booking works.
5. Know Whether It Is a Broker or a Carrier
A carrier owns the trucks and hauls your car itself. A broker arranges the shipment and assigns it to a carrier from its network. Many of the car shipping companies you find online are brokers, and both can be a good choice. What matters is that the company tells you which it is, and that the broker and the carrier are both registered and insured.
A broker can usually reach more trucks and routes, which helps with pickup timing. A carrier gives you direct contact with the people moving the car but covers fewer routes. ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker and says so upfront. Our guide to auto brokers vs carriers compares the two.
6. Get a Written, All-In Quote
Ask for the price in writing and check what it includes. A good quote states:
- The total price, including fuel and insurance
- Open or enclosed transport, and door to door or terminal
- Any extra charges, such as for a non-running car, an oversized vehicle or a guaranteed date
- Whether the price is fixed or can change before pickup
Compare at least three quotes for the same service. Watch most closely for a price far below the others: if no carrier will take the car at that rate, the company either leaves it unbooked or raises the price after you have committed. At ABC, the quote you accept is the price you pay, with no hidden fees and no fuel surcharges. For typical prices by distance, see our car shipping cost guide.
7. Get the Pickup Window in Writing
Car shipping works on pickup windows, not fixed appointments, because each truck collects and delivers several cars along its route. A reliable company gives you a realistic window and keeps you updated as it narrows. At ABC, you give a window of 4 to 5 days (3 to 4 at minimum) from your first available date. It narrows to 1 to 2 days once a carrier is assigned, and the driver calls ahead.
If you need a fixed date, ask what a guaranteed pickup costs and how it works. ABC uses local terminals to guarantee a date, for an extra $150 to $300 per vehicle. Be careful with any company that promises an exact date for free weeks in advance. Booking 7 to 30 days ahead gives you the best choice of trucks.
8. Understand How Damage Claims Work
The bill of lading is the most important document in a car shipment. At pickup, the driver inspects the car and records every existing scratch, dent and chip on it, and you both sign. At delivery, you inspect the car again against that report before you sign.
- Take your own dated photos of every side before pickup.
- Inspect the car at delivery in good light, even if the driver is in a hurry.
- Write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign. A claim is much harder to make once you have signed a clean delivery report.
- Ask the company who you contact if there is damage, and what the claim process looks like.
Our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup and delivery has a full checklist.
9. Read the Cancellation Terms
Plans change. Ask what happens if you cancel or move your dates: whether there is a fee, whether a deposit is refunded, and whether the answer changes once a carrier has been assigned. Get the answer in writing. Because ABC Auto Shipping does not take a deposit, there is no deposit to lose if you cancel.
Red Flags in a Car Shipping Quote
- A price far below every other quote
- A large deposit before a carrier is assigned
- No USDOT or MC number, or numbers that belong to a different company on FMCSA
- Pressure to book today to keep the price
- An exact pickup date promised at no extra charge
- No written quote, contract or cancellation terms
- Vague answers about insurance, or no certificate
- No business address, only a phone number or email
Questions to Ask Before You Book
A short call tells you a lot. A good company answers these clearly and without pressure:
- Are you a broker or a carrier?
- What are your USDOT and MC numbers?
- Is this price fixed, and what does it include?
- Do you take a deposit, and when is the balance due?
- What is my pickup window, and when will it narrow?
- Who do I call if there is damage?
For a longer list and what good answers sound like, see our questions to ask before booking.
Choosing a Company for a Specialty Vehicle
- Classic, exotic or high-value cars. Ask for enclosed auto transport, which usually costs 40 to 60 percent more than open, and check that the per-vehicle cargo limit covers the car’s value.
- Cars that do not run. Say so when you request a quote, so the company sends a truck with a winch. See how to ship a non-running car.
- Motorcycles. Ask how the bike is loaded and secured. See motorcycle shipping.
- Modified cars. Lift kits, lowered suspension and roof racks change how a car is loaded. Mention them when you request a quote.
Choosing a Car Shipping Company in Texas
Texas is one of the busiest auto transport states, with heavy traffic on I-35 between Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio, and on I-10 through Houston. The same nine checks apply, plus a few local ones:
- Truck access. Car carriers are up to about 80 feet long. In dense parts of Houston, Dallas and Austin, ask whether the driver will meet you at a large parking lot nearby.
- Weather. Ask about enclosed transport if you are worried about spring hail or dust in the Panhandle.
- Military moves. Ask about PCS scheduling if you are moving to or from Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, Joint Base San Antonio or another Texas base.
- Registration. If you are moving to Texas, you must register the car within 30 days. Cars registered in 17 counties, including Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis, need a passing emissions inspection first. The Texas DMV has the details.
Open transport on Texas routes typically costs $500 to $1,500, depending on the route and the vehicle. See our Texas car shipping page for routes and prices.
Is a Professional Car Shipping Service Worth It?
Driving a car across several states takes days and adds fuel, hotels, meals and wear to the car. Driving is usually cheaper under about 1,000 miles. On longer moves the costs are close, and shipping lets you fly and saves several days on the road. Shipping also makes sense when you buy a car in another state, move two cars at once, or want to keep miles off a newer car. Our drive or ship cost breakdown compares the two on real routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose an auto transport company?
Check the USDOT and MC numbers on FMCSA’s SAFER site, ask for the insurance certificate, read recent reviews, and compare written, all-in quotes. Then check the deposit, pickup window, damage claim and cancellation terms before you book.
What should I look for when choosing a car shipping company?
Active federal registration, a cargo insurance limit that covers your car, clear all-in pricing, a realistic pickup window, a written inspection at pickup and delivery, and quick, straight answers to your questions.
How do I check a car shipping company’s MC number?
Go to FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot, search the MC or USDOT number, and check that the legal name matches, the operating authority says “Authorized” and there is no out-of-service date.
What are red flags in a car shipping quote?
A price far below other quotes, a large deposit before a carrier is assigned, pressure to book today, a free guaranteed date, no written terms, and no USDOT or MC number.
How do I know if an auto transport company is reliable?
It is registered and authorized on FMCSA, sends an insurance certificate when asked, has consistent reviews over time, and puts its price and terms in writing.
Should I pay a deposit to book car transport?
It is safer not to pay much before a carrier is assigned. ABC Auto Shipping takes no deposit; you pay only once your carrier is secured.
Is a broker or a carrier better?
Either can be a good choice. Brokers reach more trucks and routes, while carriers own the trucks and handle the car directly. Make sure both the broker and the carrier are registered and insured.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
Seven to 30 days before your first available pickup date gives the best choice of trucks, though space can open up on short notice.
Ship With a Company That Passes Every Check
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker (USDOT 2340626, MC-797279) with over 20 years in the industry and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. The quote you accept is the price you pay, there is no deposit, and you pay only once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote today.
