Quick answer: Before you book with any auto transport company, ask five questions: are you a broker or a carrier, are you licensed and insured, is this price locked in, what deposit do you take and when, and how will I get updates while my car is on the road. Clear, specific answers separate trustworthy companies from risky ones. Our guide on how to choose a car transport company covers the rest of the decision.
Shipping a car is not something most people do often, so it makes sense to want reassurance before you hand over your keys and your money. The auto transport industry has plenty of reputable operators, but it also has middlemen who disappear after taking a deposit and outfits that lowball a quote to win the booking, then raise the price once your car is scheduled. You do not need to be an expert to protect yourself. You need to ask the right questions and pay attention to how clearly each company answers. Below are the five that matter most, five follow-ups worth adding, and a printable checklist with good answers and red flags side by side.
1. Are You a Broker or a Carrier?
This is the most important question you can ask, and most shoppers never ask it. A carrier owns and operates the trucks that physically move vehicles. A broker does not own trucks. Instead, it takes your booking and matches it with a carrier from its network.
Neither model is bad on its own. Most nationwide auto transport companies, including ABC Auto Shipping, work as licensed brokers, because no single company can own enough trucks to cover every route in the country. What matters is honesty. A trustworthy company tells you plainly which one it is, explains how it vets the carriers it works with, and never pretends to own a fleet it does not have. If a company dodges the question, treat that as a warning sign. Our guide to auto brokers vs carriers explains the difference in more detail.
2. Are You Licensed and Insured?
Every legitimate auto transport company in the United States should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ask for the USDOT and MC numbers, then look them up on FMCSA’s SAFER website and check that the name matches the company you are talking to. A good company gives you both numbers without hesitation. ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker, USDOT 2340626 and MC-797279.
Also ask how insurance works for your move. The carrier’s cargo insurance is what covers your car for damage the driver causes between pickup and delivery, so ask whether the carrier assigned to your vehicle carries its own policy and whether you can see the certificate. Ask, too, how a damage claim works. The answer should mention the bill of lading: any new damage has to be written on it at delivery and acknowledged by the driver, because claims depend on it. A company that cannot explain this quickly, or gets evasive when you ask for proof, is not one you want handling your car.
3. Is This Price Locked In?
Some companies give a binding or flat-rate quote that stays the same as long as the details you gave (vehicle, condition, pickup and delivery addresses) are accurate. Others give an estimate that can change once a carrier is assigned to your route. You need to know which one you are getting.
Ask directly: is this price locked in, and if not, what could cause it to change? A company that explains this clearly and stands behind its numbers respects your time. At ABC, pricing is flat-rate: the quote you accept is the price you pay. Be wary of a quote that comes in far below every other one you have received. It can mean the company is struggling to find a carrier willing to take the job at that price, which often leads to delays or a renegotiated rate. Comparing a few quotes side by side gives you a far more realistic picture than chasing the lowest number, and our car shipping cost guide shows typical prices by distance so you can spot an outlier.
4. What Deposit Do You Require, and When Is It Charged?
Deposit practices vary across the industry, and understanding them upfront protects you from losing money to a company that never delivers. Ask when the deposit is due, whether it is refundable if your plans change and, most importantly, whether it is charged before or after a carrier is assigned to your vehicle. Pressure to pay a large deposit immediately, before any carrier is confirmed, is a red flag worth taking seriously.
ABC takes no deposit. You pay only once a carrier is secured for your shipment. Our post on no-deposit booking explains why.
5. How Will I Know What Is Happening With My Car?
Once your car is on the truck, communication matters most. Many shoppers get burned not because the car was damaged, but because they had no idea where it was or when it would arrive, and could not get anyone on the phone to find out. A good answer covers who your point of contact is, how the driver will reach you and what happens if the pickup or delivery window shifts.
With ABC, the driver calls 24 hours before pickup and again the morning of pickup, and gives you a 4-hour delivery window. For a status update in between, you contact ABC 3 days before the first estimated delivery date or 5 to 7 days after pickup, whichever comes first. Door-to-door service is the default, with no surcharge.
Five Follow-Up Questions Worth Asking
Once the first five are answered, these fill in the details that cause most surprises:
- What is the pickup window? Carriers work in windows, not appointments. ABC asks for a 4 to 5 day window (minimum 3 to 4 days) and narrows it to 1 to 2 days once a carrier is secured.
- Can you guarantee a date, and what does it cost? A guaranteed date usually costs extra. ABC can guarantee one by using a secure terminal near you, which generally adds $150 to $300 per vehicle.
- Is door-to-door included? Ask what happens if a 75 to 80 foot truck cannot reach your street. A good answer is that the driver meets you at the nearest wide street or a shopping center lot.
- Can I leave belongings in the car? Look for a clear weight limit and a plain statement that the items are not insured. ABC allows up to 100 pounds, at the driver’s discretion.
- What could change the price? A good company names the factors up front, such as a larger vehicle, a car that does not run, enclosed transport or a peak-season date.
Printable Checklist: Questions, Good Answers and Red Flags
Print this table or keep it open while you call around. Ask every company the same questions and compare the answers, not only the prices.
| Question to ask | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Are you a broker or a carrier? | Says which, plainly. A broker explains how it vets carriers. | Dodges the question or claims a fleet it cannot name. |
| What are your USDOT and MC numbers? | Gives both at once, and they match the company name on FMCSA’s SAFER website. | Hesitates, gives only one number, or the name does not match. |
| How is my car insured, and how do claims work? | The carrier’s cargo insurance covers damage from pickup to delivery; new damage goes on the bill of lading at delivery. | “You’re fully covered” with no detail, or no mention of the bill of lading. |
| Is this price locked in? | Yes, as long as your vehicle and address details are accurate. | A quote far below the others that is “only an estimate”. |
| Do you take a deposit, and when? | No deposit, or payment only after a carrier is secured. | A large, non-refundable deposit before any carrier is confirmed. |
| How will I get updates? | A named contact, a call from the driver before pickup and a delivery window. | No one to call, or “we’ll let you know when it arrives”. |
| What is the pickup window? | A realistic window of a few days, narrowed once a carrier is assigned. | A promise of an exact pickup day at no extra cost in peak season. |
| Is door-to-door included? | Yes, as close as the truck can safely and legally get. | A door-to-door charge that only appears after you book. |
| Can I leave belongings in the car? | A clear weight limit, and a plain statement that items are not insured. | “Pack whatever you like” or a claim that the items are insured. |
| What could change the price? | Specific factors named up front. | “Nothing” on a very low quote, or a vague “fees may apply”. |
Making Your Decision
You do not have to become an auto transport expert to book with confidence. Ask these questions and pay attention to how each company responds. Clear, specific, unhurried answers are a good sign. Vague answers, pressure to decide immediately or a quote that seems too good to be true are not.
ABC Auto Shipping ships vehicles nationwide with both open and enclosed transport, works with licensed and insured carriers, and offers door-to-door service as standard. Whether you are shipping a daily driver, a classic car or a vehicle for a cross-country move, a free quote is a low-pressure way to see how a company communicates before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I ask a car shipping company before booking?
Ask whether it is a broker or a carrier, for its USDOT and MC numbers, how insurance and claims work, whether the price is locked in, what deposit it takes and when, and how you will get updates. Then ask about the pickup window, door-to-door delivery, belongings and what could change the price.
How far in advance should I book auto transport?
Book 7 to 30 days before your first available pickup date. Booking 10 to 20 days ahead usually gives the most accurate rate, and booking earlier helps in busy months such as May to September and January.
What is the difference between open and enclosed auto transport?
Open transport moves your car on a multi-car trailer exposed to the weather, the same way new cars reach dealerships, and it is the more common and affordable option. Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer that shields the car from road debris and weather. It costs 40 to 60% more and is popular for classic, luxury and high-value cars.
What does door-to-door service mean?
The carrier picks up your car as close to your home or chosen address as it can safely and legally reach, and delivers it just as close to the destination, so you do not have to use a terminal. If a large truck cannot fit down your street, the driver meets you nearby.
Does my car need to run to be shipped?
No. A non-running car can still be shipped, but tell the company when you request a quote so it can arrange a carrier with the right loading equipment.
How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
Coast to coast usually takes 7 to 10 days in transit once the car is picked up, plus the pickup window. Shorter moves under 500 miles take 1 to 3 days. Peak months can add 1 to 3 days to pickup.
How should I prepare my car for pickup?
Take dated photos from every side, leave a quarter to half a tank of fuel (a quarter is preferred), turn off the alarm and have one set of keys that works the ignition, trunk and glove box. Remove valuables: ABC allows up to 100 pounds of personal items at the driver’s discretion, but they are not insured.
Get Clear Answers From ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed auto transport broker (USDOT 2340626, MC-797279) with over 20 years of experience and an A+ rating as a BBB Accredited Business. There is no deposit, you pay only once your carrier is secured, and the quote you accept is the price you pay. Get a free quote and ask us any of the questions above, or call 877-686-5611.
