10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Auto Transport Company

Shipping a car is a significant transaction — you're handing over a vehicle worth thousands of dollars to a stranger driving a multi-axle truck. Most people spend more time researching a restaurant reservation than they do vetting the company moving their car. That's a problem.

The auto transport industry includes excellent companies, average ones, and outright bad actors. The difference isn't always obvious from a website or a quote. The right questions — asked before you book — are your most effective tool for car shipping due diligence. This guide gives you exactly 10 questions to ask any auto transport company, and explains what the right answers look like.

Why Asking Questions Matters

The auto transport market is a broker-dominated ecosystem. Most customers who think they're dealing with a carrier are actually dealing with a broker — a middleman who farms the shipment out to one of thousands of independent carrier operators. That's not inherently bad, but it changes the dynamics of accountability, insurance, and communication.

Asking the right questions accomplishes several things:

• It reveals whether the company is legitimate and properly licensed
• It sets accurate expectations around timing, pricing, and process
• It exposes red flags before you commit — not after
• It gives you a paper trail if something goes wrong

A reputable company will answer every question on this list without hesitation. A company that deflects, gets defensive, or can't answer basic questions about their license and insurance is telling you something important.

Question 1: Are You a Broker or a Direct Carrier?

This is the foundational question. The answer changes everything about who is responsible for your vehicle.

What a Broker Does

A broker is a licensed middleman who matches your shipment with an available carrier. Brokers use the USDOT-regulated carrier load board to post your shipment and find a driver willing to haul it. They don't own trucks or employ drivers directly. When things go right, brokers are efficient and cost-effective — they have broad networks and negotiate rates. When things go wrong, some brokers try to shift accountability to "the carrier." A good broker stays involved and advocates for you.

What a Direct Carrier Does

A direct carrier owns the trucks and employs the drivers. They handle the pickup, transit, and delivery with their own equipment and personnel. Direct carriers can be harder to find for certain routes (their capacity is limited by the routes their trucks run), but they provide a more direct chain of accountability.

What to Listen For

Most legitimate companies will tell you clearly which they are. If the answer is vague — "we work with a network of carriers" — you're dealing with a broker. That's fine, but get confirmation and ask who holds the insurance (see Question 3).

Question 2: What Is Your MC Number?

An MC (Motor Carrier) number is a federal operating authority number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Any company legally brokering or directly hauling vehicles across state lines must have one. It is not optional.

How to Verify It

Go to FMCSA.dot.gov → Safety → Carrier Search → enter the MC number. You'll see the company's registration status, operating authority, insurance filings, and safety rating. This takes 60 seconds and is completely free. Look for:

• Status: "Active" — not revoked or inactive
• Authority Type: Broker or Carrier, or both
• Insurance on file: Current insurance filings listed
• Safety rating: "Satisfactory" or unrated is fine; "Unsatisfactory" or "Conditional" is a red flag

What the Right Answer Looks Like

A legitimate company will give you their MC number immediately and encourage you to look it up. If they hesitate, claim they "don't have one yet," or give you a number that comes back invalid or inactive — stop the conversation. An unlicensed company has no legal authority to move your vehicle and no federally required insurance.

Question 3: What Insurance Does the Carrier Carry?

There are two layers of insurance in auto transport: the broker's surety bond (required for licensing) and the carrier's cargo insurance (what actually covers your vehicle in transit). You want to understand both.

Broker Bond

Federal law requires auto transport brokers to carry a $75,000 surety bond. This isn't insurance for your car — it's a protection for the transportation industry that the broker operates legitimately. It matters for their licensing, but it doesn't pay your damage claim.

Carrier Cargo Insurance

This is what covers your vehicle during transit. Carriers are typically required to carry $100,000–$250,000 in cargo coverage per trailer (not per vehicle). Some high-value shipments require additional coverage. Key questions to ask:

• What is the per-trailer cargo coverage limit?
• Is there a per-vehicle sub-limit?
• What is the deductible for a damage claim?
• Can you send me a certificate of insurance?

Your Personal Auto Insurance

Your personal auto policy may provide supplemental coverage during transit. Check with your insurer before shipping — especially for higher-value vehicles. Some policies include this at no extra charge. Others offer riders you can add temporarily.

Question 4: What Is Your Pickup Window — and Is It Guaranteed?

This is where auto transport trips people up most often. No legitimate auto transport company can guarantee an exact pickup date. Anyone who does is either lying or setting themselves up to disappoint you — and potentially sticking you with an expedited premium to make it happen.

How Pickup Windows Actually Work

When you book, the company posts your shipment on the carrier load board. Carriers bid to pick it up. The time it takes to find a carrier willing to haul at the posted rate depends on:

• How competitive your route is
• The time of year (peak season vs. off-peak)
• How flexible your pickup window is
• Your posted rate relative to current market rates

Standard pickup windows are 1–5 business days in off-peak, and 5–10 business days during summer or other high-demand periods. Ask for a realistic estimate, not a promise.

What to Ask

Ask specifically: "What is the current dispatch time for my route?" and "If I need the vehicle picked up by [date], what are my options?" A good dispatcher will give you a realistic range and offer expedited service as an option if your timeline is tight — not as a default.

Question 5: What Does the Total Price Include?

Auto transport quotes can be deceptively simple-looking on the surface. Make sure you understand exactly what the quoted price covers — and what might add to it.

What Should Be Included

• Pickup and delivery (door-to-door)
• Carrier's base cargo insurance
• Fuel surcharge
• Standard open carrier service (if applicable)

What Might Be Extra

• Expedited dispatch — if you need a guaranteed fast pickup
• Enclosed transport — $400–$800 premium over open carrier
• Non-running vehicle surcharge — if the car doesn't start or drive
• Oversize vehicle surcharge — for lifted trucks, large SUVs, extended cabs
• Remote area fee — if pickup or delivery is far off major routes
• Credit card processing fee — typically 2.9–3.5% if you pay the balance by card

Ask the company to itemize what's included and what might be added. Get the total quote in writing via email or through an order confirmation. A verbal quote means nothing if there's a dispute later.

Question 6: How and When Do I Pay?

Payment structure is one of the clearest indicators of whether you're dealing with a trustworthy company. Here's what reputable auto transport companies do — and what bad actors do differently.

The Right Way: $0 Upfront

Legitimate brokers charge a broker fee (sometimes called a deposit) only after your vehicle is assigned to a carrier. The remaining carrier balance is paid at delivery — in cash, cashier's check, Zelle, Venmo, or similar. You do not pay anything upfront before a carrier is secured. If a company demands a large upfront payment before assigning a carrier, that is a significant red flag.

What "Deposit" Should Mean

Some brokers charge a small deposit (typically $100–$250) at booking that goes toward the total. This is the broker's fee and is usually non-refundable if you cancel with less than a certain number of days' notice. Make sure you understand the cancellation terms before you agree to any deposit.

At Delivery

The balance is paid directly to the carrier driver at delivery — in cash or a peer-to-peer app. Some companies allow full credit card payment for a 2.9–3.5% processing fee. Verify in advance what payment methods the driver will accept — cash is the universal option, so have it available just in case.

Question 7: Will I Get Updates During Transit?

Once your vehicle is picked up, you want to know it's safe and where it's headed. Ask how the company handles communication and tracking during the transport window.

What Good Looks Like

• A confirmation call or text when the carrier picks up
• Real-time GPS tracking or periodic check-ins during transit
• Notification 12–24 hours before delivery
• A point of contact you can actually reach if you have questions

Live Tracking via Super Dispatch

Industry-standard platforms like Super Dispatch provide GPS-enabled carrier tracking that lets you see your vehicle's location in real time. At Lepke Auto Transport, every shipment includes a live tracking portal — no extra charge. Ask any company you're considering whether they use a tracking platform and how you'll receive access.

What Bad Looks Like

If a company says you'll hear from them "when there's an update," or communication goes silent for days after pickup, that's a problem. It doesn't necessarily mean something went wrong — carriers are often on the road and not reachable — but your broker should always be able to locate your vehicle and give you a status update within a few hours of asking.

Question 8: What Happens If My Car Is Damaged?

This is the question most people are afraid to ask because it feels like bad luck. Ask it anyway. A company's answer tells you how serious they are about accountability.

The Right Answer

A professional company will explain the following process clearly:

1. At pickup, the driver and you complete a Vehicle Condition Report (Bill of Lading) documenting any existing damage
2. At delivery, you compare the vehicle's condition to the original report
3. Any new damage is noted on the delivery BOL before you sign it
4. Photos are taken immediately
5. A claim is filed with the carrier's cargo insurance
6. The broker advocates for resolution on your behalf

What to Never Do

Never sign a clean Bill of Lading if damage exists. Once you sign it, you've acknowledged the vehicle was delivered in acceptable condition — and your claim becomes far harder to pursue. Even if the driver is pressuring you to sign and move on, take your time to do a full walk-around inspection.

Realistic Claim Timelines

Most damage claims resolve in 30–60 days. Minor claims (paint chips, small dings under $500) can sometimes be settled faster. Large structural damage claims may take longer if the carrier's insurer requires an adjuster inspection. For detailed guidance, see our damage claims guide.

Question 9: Can I Put Personal Items in My Car?

This is a practical question with a few important caveats.

The Rules

Federal DOT regulations prohibit carriers from hauling household goods in vehicles being transported — auto transport licenses don't cover that. In practice, most carriers allow up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk as an unofficial accommodation, at no extra charge. But this comes with important conditions:

• Items in the trunk only — not visible through windows
• No boxes or items that shift the vehicle's center of gravity
• Personal items are not covered by the carrier's insurance
• The carrier can refuse to haul if items exceed their tolerance

What Not to Pack

Don't put valuables, irreplaceable items, electronics, or anything breakable in the car during transport. Road vibration, temperature swings, and the loading/unloading process can damage fragile items. Ship those separately.

Question 10: What If My Pickup or Delivery Is in a Remote Area?

Car carriers are large — 80 feet long and 80,000 lbs at capacity. They physically cannot navigate narrow residential streets, steep driveways, low-clearance overpasses, or tight apartment complex parking lots. This is true for every carrier — it's not a quality issue, it's physics.

How Door-to-Door Actually Works

Carriers get as close to your door as safely possible. If your street is too narrow or the approach has restrictions, the driver will call to arrange a nearby accessible meeting point — usually a large parking lot, a nearby commercial street, or a shopping center. This is standard practice, not an exception.

If You're in a Rural or Remote Area

Some routes don't have regular carrier traffic. If your pickup or delivery location is more than 50–75 miles from a major highway corridor, ask specifically whether this will affect dispatch time or cost. Some carriers charge a small rural fee; others simply take longer to assign because fewer trucks run that route. Knowing this upfront prevents surprises.

Terminal Options as a Backup

If your location is truly inaccessible, some companies offer terminal-to-terminal shipping — you drop the car at a central terminal and pick it up at a terminal near your destination. This is less convenient but can work well for remote areas where door-to-door is impractical.

Red Flags to Watch For

Beyond the answers to these 10 questions, watch for these warning signs during any conversation with an auto transport company:

Car Shipping Due Diligence FAQs

What is an MC number and why does it matter?

An MC (Motor Carrier) number is a federal operating authority issued by the FMCSA. Any broker or carrier legally moving vehicles across state lines must have one. You can verify it for free at FMCSA.dot.gov. If a company can't provide an MC number — or the number comes back inactive — do not hire them.

How much does auto transport insurance actually cover?

Carriers are federally required to carry a minimum of $75,000 in cargo insurance, though reputable carriers typically carry $100,000–$250,000. The coverage is usually per-trailer, not per vehicle — meaning it covers all cars on the carrier up to that limit. If your vehicle is worth more than $50,000, ask specifically about per-vehicle coverage or consider adding a rider through your personal auto insurer.

What's the difference between a broker and a direct carrier?

A broker connects your shipment with a carrier from their network but does not physically haul the vehicle. A direct carrier owns the trucks and employs the drivers. Both are legitimate. The key is knowing which one you're dealing with so you understand who to hold accountable if something goes wrong.

Should I be suspicious if a quote seems very low?

Yes. Unusually low quotes are a common red flag in auto transport. Some companies post low estimates to win bookings, then struggle to find a carrier willing to haul at that rate — leaving your vehicle unassigned while the clock ticks. A realistic quote that reflects current market rates will actually ship faster and more reliably than an artificially low one.

What is the Bill of Lading?

The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the official vehicle condition report completed at pickup and delivery. The driver documents any existing damage before loading, and you sign it. At delivery, you compare the vehicle's condition to the original report. Any new damage noted at delivery — and not on the original BOL — is the basis for a damage claim. Never skip the BOL inspection at pickup or delivery.

Can I put personal items in my car when it's being shipped?

Federal DOT regulations technically prohibit carriers from hauling household goods in vehicles. In practice, most carriers allow up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk at no extra charge. Items placed in the cabin — visible from outside — create a theft risk and are not covered by the carrier's insurance. Ship important or valuable items separately.

What happens if my car is damaged during shipping?

Document the damage immediately at delivery before signing the Bill of Lading. Note it directly on the BOL — do not sign a clean copy if damage exists. Photograph everything. Then file a claim with the carrier's cargo insurance. Claims typically resolve in 30–60 days. Your broker should be your advocate in this process.