What Are the Real Differences Between Auto Transport Insurance Deductibles and Your Personal Policy?

When you're shipping your car, understanding insurance is critical. Many people assume their personal auto insurance will cover any damage during professional transport. This assumption can cost you thousands in unexpected repair bills.

I'm Mike, a Logistics Manager here at AMG Transport Co. I've seen my share of shipping nightmares. Most of them could have been avoided with a little upfront knowledge. Let's clear up the confusion about auto transport insurance and your personal policy.

Your Personal Policy: It's Probably Not Enough

Think about your personal car insurance. It largely covers you when you are driving your car. It might cover certain incidents while your car is parked or in storage. But when your vehicle is on a transport trailer, whether it's an open car carrier transport or an enclosed auto transport for luxury cars, things change.

Most personal policies have exclusions for commercial transport. They simply aren't designed for it. Some policies might offer minimal coverage for a short distance. But if you're looking at nationwide vehicle shipping door to door, or shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles, don't count on your personal policy.

Here's the rub. If damage occurs during transit, your personal policy provider will likely deny the claim. They'll tell you it's the carrier's responsibility. That's true, to a point.

Auto Transport Carrier Insurance: What You Need to Know

Every legitimate auto transport carrier carries their own insurance. This is mandatory. It covers potential damage to your vehicle while it's in their care. This includes everything from minor scratches to major accidents on the road.

But just having carrier insurance isn't the whole story. First, you need to understand the types of coverage:

• Cargo Insurance: This covers direct damage to your vehicle. It's the most important for you.
• Liability Insurance: This covers damage to third-party property or injury to people.

Good carriers, the ones we vet at AMG Transport Co., carry substantial cargo insurance. We verify their current insurance certificates before they ever touch your car. This is part of being a trusted car shipping broker reviews often highlight. We only work with reliable partners.

The All-Important Deductible

This is where things get tricky. Just like your personal policy, carrier insurance has a deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in. This can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. The carrier's insurance policy dictates this amount.

If your car gets a dent that costs $750 to fix, and the carrier's deductible is $1000, you're on the hook for the entire $750. This is a crucial difference from your personal policy. With your own insurance, you usually choose your deductible. With carrier insurance, you don't. You're subject to theirs.

Filing a Claim with a Carrier

If damage occurs, you typically have to prove it happened during transit. This is why thorough inspections at pickup and delivery are crucial. We always recommend detailed VIN scans and photographs at both points. This is an AMG Transport Co. practice.

Filing a claim directly with a carrier can be a headache. Carriers are focused on the road. They don't typically have large customer service departments dedicated to claims. This is where an experienced car shipping broker you can trust like AMG Transport Co. comes in. We act as your buffer.

We facilitate the claim process. We have existing relationships with these carriers. This often leads to smoother resolutions. It's one of the reasons carriers rely on brokers. We handle the "people problems" they don't want.

Supplemental Insurance Options

Some brokers, like us, might offer or recommend supplemental insurance options. These policies can reduce or eliminate that carrier deductible. This gives you extra peace of mind. Especially if you're shipping an expensive vehicle, like for luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open, or a classic car transport enclosed carrier.

Always ask about these options. Understand what they cover and what they don't. Don't assume anything.

Gaps in Coverage: Where You Might Get Stung

Here's a quick comparison to highlight the gaps:

| Feature | Personal Auto Insurance (during transport) | Carrier Auto Transport Insurance |

| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------- |

| Primary Coverage | Minimal to None, often excluded | Yes, for cargo damage |

| Deductible | Your choice (if covered) | Carrier's fixed amount |

| Claim Process | Directly with your insurer | Directly with carrier, or via broker |

| Coverage Scope | Limited to specific scenarios | Covers transit damage during loading, transit, unloading |

| Handling Deductible Gap | N/A | Potential supplemental policies available |

Many gaps exist. Your personal policy won't cover damage if the carrier's deductible is higher than the repair cost. It also won't cover things like "acts of God" in some carrier policies, though most comprehensive policies include this. Ensure you understand the limits.

This is why working with a professional, like a vehicle logistics company Texas, is paramount. We understand these nuances. We know what questions to ask carriers. We ensure they meet the proper insurance requirements.

Why Choose a Broker like AMG Transport Co.?

We provide a stronger customer experience. This is a fraud-filled industry. We are your guiding light. We act as a buffer to keep rates reasonable. We do what carriers don't want to do.

Carriers want to drive. They don't want to deal with frontend sales, coordinating, or backend systems. They don't want to deal with people and their problems. The roads are dangerous. They have enough problems. They rely on brokers to solve them.

Carriers also aren't saints. Many won't work directly with individuals simply because too many people don't pay. The few that do take the risk will charge you more. That's one reason they don't always like brokers. Brokers have their margin, too. However, a good broker like AMG Transport Co. maintains strong relationships with vetted carriers. These carriers prioritize our clients.

We offer transparent, honest quotes. We use Stripe for secure deposits. We give you a 72-hour pickup window so you know what to expect. We make it easy to understand how much does it cost to ship a car cross country without hidden fees. We vet every carrier to ensure they are properly insured and have a good safety record. We are a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide.

You couldn't work with most carriers directly, even if you wanted to. So, it's not just a good idea to work with an experienced broker. It's almost required. Whether you need to ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles, or you're relocating to Florida ship car from Texas, we're your solution.

Don't leave your vehicle's safety to chance. Understand your insurance. Choose a reliable partner. Get started on your hassle-free auto transport today.

Ready to ship your vehicle with confidence?

Get a free, transparent quote from AMG Transport Co. and rest easy knowing your vehicle is properly protected. Visit us at https://amgtransportco.com/get-quote.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.