What to Double-Check Before Paying Your Car Shipping Deposit?

You're staring at a quote for car shipping. Fingers hover over the pay button. Hold up. The auto transport world crawls with scams. Lowball bids turn into nightmares. Deposits vanish. Vehicles arrive damaged. Or worse, never arrive.

Carriers focus on trucks and roads. They dodge customer headaches. That's where brokers like AMG Transport Co. step in. We handle sales, coordination, backend systems. Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We know both sides. But even we say: verify everything before paying.

This checklist saves you grief. It's your final barrier against fraud. As a Texas-based auto transport broker offering nationwide vehicle shipping door to door, we've seen it all. Let's break it down.

Is the Company Properly Licensed and Insured?

First things first. No license, no deal. Legit companies register with the FMCSA. Brokers need a valid MC number. Carriers need USDOT. Skip this, and you're funding crooks.

Insurance matters too. Carriers carry cargo insurance. At minimum, $750,000 per load. Brokers like us ensure our vetted carriers meet this. Don't trust words. Check proof.

How Do I Verify Their USDOT and MC Numbers?

Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Punch in the numbers. Reviews show up. Out-of-service orders? Walk away. Active authority? Good start.

At AMG, we only use vetted, insured carriers. We verify upfront. You won't chase ghosts with us.

Does This Quote Include All Possible Fees?

Quotes sound sweet. Then fees pile on. Fuel surcharges. Tolls. Access fees. Your "fixed" price doubles.

Demand a full breakdown. Honest brokers provide it. We do at AMG. No surprises. Ever.

What About Fuel Surcharges, Residential Pickup, or Terminal Fees?

Fuel fluctuates. Surcharges hit 10-20% sometimes. Residential pickup? Add $50-150. Terminals? Cheaper, but risks storage fees.

Ask: Is this open car carrier transport cost or enclosed? Open saves money. Enclosed protects luxury cars.

Here's a quick fee breakdown:

| Fee Type | Typical Cost | When It Applies |

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

| Fuel Surcharge | 5-20% | Most shipments |

| Residential Pickup | $50-150 | Non-commercial |

| Terminal to Terminal | -$100 | Discount |

| Enclosed Upgrade | +30-50% | Classics, exotics |

Compare apples to apples. Our honest quotes from Houston to Los Angeles include these.

What Are the Realistic Pickup and Delivery Timelines?

Exact dates? Dream on. Trucks roll nationwide. Weather hits. Traffic snarls. Demand spikes.

Expect 1-10 days pickup. 3-14 days delivery cross-country. How long does car shipping take cross country? Depends on route.

Why Is It a 72-Hour Window Instead of an Exact Date?

Carriers load regionally. A vehicle could sit anywhere. 72-hour windows match reality. We use them at AMG. Reliable. No false promises.

Ship a car from Texas to California? 7-10 days typical. We guide you.

What Exactly Does the Insurance Cover?

Auto policies don't touch shipping. Cargo insurance does. Covers damage in transit. Not mechanical issues.

Get the certificate. Name your vehicle. VIN listed. We do VIN scans at AMG for precision.

What's the Deductible and Are There Common Exclusions?

Deductibles run $100-500. Exclusions: pre-existing damage, neglect, vandalism off-truck.

Non-running vehicles? Disclose upfront. Costs more. We handle shipping a non-running vehicle right.

What Is the Cancellation Policy?

Life happens. Know the rules. Free cancel before carrier dispatch. After? Lose deposit.

Read the contract. No fine print traps.

When Do I Lose My Deposit?

Dispatch means truck assigned. Load order issued. 10-20% deposit gone then.

We keep it simple at AMG. Clear terms protect you.

How Secure Is the Payment Process?

Scammers love wires. Irreversible. Cash apps? Worse.

Stripe, Credit Card, or Wire Transfer?

Stripe or cards only. Trackable. Dispute possible. We use Stripe deposits at AMG. Secure. Fast.

No wires. Ever.

Final Word: Ship Smart with AMG Transport Co.

Checked licenses? Fees transparent? Timelines real? Insurance solid? Policy clear? Payment safe?

Good. Now pick a broker who delivers. AMG Transport Co. is your Texas-based auto transport broker nationwide. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes. VIN scans. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: seamless.

Relocating to Florida from Texas? Multi-car for families? Luxury enclosed? We've got you. Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves.

Don't risk it. Get your quote today. Sleep easy.

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