Knowledge Center

Don't Miss A Step. Ship With Confidence.

Everything to do before, during, and after your shipment, in one interactive checklist. Tick items off one by one. Your progress saves automatically.

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Your shipping checklist

Action

Get at least 3 quotes from different brokersCritical

Don't just take the first quote. Getting 3+ quotes shows you the real market range and makes a suspiciously low quote obvious.

Check the company's TrustScore on TransportvibeCritical

A TrustScore under 75 or a pricing accuracy below 80% should give you pause. Check all 6 metrics, not just the overall score.

Run the company through the Red Flag CheckerCritical

Transportvibe's AI analyzes the company, their MC number, and your quote to flag any warning signs before you commit.

Verify FMCSA operating authorityImportant

Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and enter the company's MC number. Authority must show as Active. Pending or revoked = walk away.

Read recent reviews, look for route-specific onesImportant

A company rated 91 overall might be 74 on your specific route. Check reviews from customers on similar routes to yours.

Decide: open transport or enclosed?Good to do

Open is cheaper and fine for most cars. Enclosed suits classics, luxury, or low-clearance vehicles.

Get the full price in writing before bookingCritical

Confirm the total, what's included, and any conditions in writing. A verbal quote protects no one.

Confirm pickup and delivery date windowsImportant

Auto transport works in windows, not exact times. Get the estimated ranges in writing so expectations are clear.

Pay by credit card whenever possibleImportant

A card gives you a dispute mechanism if anything goes wrong. Avoid paying the full balance in cash or by wire up front.

Confirm carrier insurance coverage & limitsImportant

Ask for the certificate of insurance and the cargo coverage amount. Make sure it covers your vehicle's value.

Save the dispatch sheet & driver contactGood to do

Keep the carrier name, MC number, driver name and phone somewhere you can find on shipment day.

Read the cancellation policyGood to do

Know the deposit, refund terms, and any fees before you sign so a change of plans doesn't cost you.

Wash the car so existing damage is visibleImportant

A clean car makes existing scratches and dents show up in your inspection photos. That is your strongest evidence if anything goes wrong later.

Remove all personal items & toll tagsImportant

Carrier insurance doesn't cover belongings, and extra weight can add cargo fees. Bag up the toll transponder too.

Leave about a quarter tank of fuelGood to do

Enough to load and unload, light enough to keep load weight down. A full tank is unnecessary weight.

Note any mechanical issues for the driverGood to do

Flag leaks, a weak battery, or alarm quirks so the carrier can load safely and won't be surprised.

Disable or note the alarm / anti-theft systemGood to do

Tell the driver how to disarm it. A car that won't stop alarming in transit is a problem for everyone.

Fold mirrors & retract antennaGood to do

Reduce the chance of small parts getting clipped during tight loading on a multi-car trailer.

Key things to remember

Bill of Lading is everything

Every dispute about damage comes back to what was written on the BoL at pickup and delivery.

Price must be in writing

Price must be in writing before your car is loaded. "They told me" is not legally binding. The written contract is.

Photos with timestamps

Photos with timestamps are your legal protection. Take them before pickup and immediately at delivery.

Pay by credit card

Pay by credit card whenever possible. It creates a dispute mechanism if anything goes wrong.

15-day window

15-day window to file a damage claim after delivery. Don't wait.

Related tools

Red Flag Checker

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Price Estimator

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ShipAdvisor AI

Ask ShipAdvisor anything about auto transport

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