Ready to Book? Your Essential Auto Transport Pre-Booking Checklist

You're about to ship your car. Good. But don't rush it. The auto transport world is full of scams. Shady brokers. Carriers who vanish. Surprise fees that double your cost. I've seen it all as Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker.

We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. From Houston to Los Angeles. Or Texas to California. Brokers like us buffer you from the chaos. Carriers drive the trucks. They don't want customer headaches. We do the sales. Coordination. Backend systems. That's our job.

Before you book, run this checklist. It covers quotes, credentials, insurance, access, and prep. Skip it, and you'll regret it. I've pulled real data from our operations. And industry standards. Let's get to it.

1. Verify Your Auto Transport Quote

Quotes aren't set in stone. Fuel prices spike. Demand surges. Your "cheap" quote turns into a nightmare.

• Compare apples to apples. Open car carrier? Enclosed for luxury cars? Know the difference. Open is cheaper. But exposed to road debris. Enclosed protects classics or exotics.
• Ask for breakdowns. What affects car shipping cost per mile? Distance. Vehicle size. SUV vs sedan costs more. Non-running vehicles add fees.
• Lock in details. 72-hour pickup window? Door-to-door service? No terminal nonsense.

At AMG, we give honest quotes. No bait-and-switch. Use our auto transport quotes how to compare tool. Stripe deposits secure it. No wire transfers to crooks.

| Quote Type | Avg Cost (Cross Country) | Best For |

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

| Open Carrier | $800-$1,200 | Standard cars |

| Enclosed | $1,200-$2,000 | Luxury, classics |

| Multi-Car | Discounted per vehicle | Families, dealers |

How long does car shipping take cross country? 7-14 days coast to coast. Factor that in.

2. Check Broker and Carrier Credentials

Not all brokers are equal. Some are fly-by-night. Carriers too.

• Verify USDOT and MC numbers. Use FMCSA site. Search the broker first. Then carriers they assign.
• Read reviews. Trusted car shipping broker reviews matter. Ignore fake ones.
• Broker authority. Confirm they can haul interstate. Many can't.

People can't book direct with most carriers anyway. They won't touch retail customers. Risk of non-payment. Or they jack up prices.

We vet every carrier at AMG. Fully insured. Clean safety records. Auto transport safety record and reputation? Ours is spotless. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Experienced car shipping broker you can trust.

3. Confirm Insurance Coverage

Your car isn't covered by basic auto insurance on a truck. Don't assume.

• Broker liability. Up to $100k standard. Ask for cargo insurance.
• Carrier coverage. Primary liability? Contingent? Get certificates naming you.
• Deductibles. Zero out-of-pocket? Clarify.

Carriers aren't saints. They dodge claims. Brokers like us hold them accountable. Our vetted insured carriers carry full coverage. No gaps.

4. Ensure Pickup and Delivery Access

Your driveway too tight? Apartment complex rules? Problems.

• Measure space. Trucks need 12ft wide clearance. 50ft turning radius.
• Get permissions. HOA? Gated community? Notify them.
• Alternate spots. Willing to shuttle 1-2 miles? Saves headaches.

Door pick-up and delivery car transport service is our norm. We coordinate it. No surprises.

5. Prep Your Vehicle Thoroughly

Clean it. Document it. Protect it.

Here's your pre-shipping checklist:

• Full tank? Quarter tank max. Safer. Less weight.
• VIN scan. Take photos. Front, back, sides, undercarriage. We require VIN scans at AMG.
• Remove valuables. Nothing inside. Zip.
• Personal items. Under 100lbs. Legal limit.
• Non-running? Disclose upfront. Ramps or winch fees apply.

Shipping a non-running vehicle what to know: Tell us early. We handle it.

6. Review the Contract and Fees

Read every line. No skimming.

• No hidden fees. Fuel surcharges? Tolls? Clear?
• Cancellation policy. Life happens.
• Payment terms. Deposits via Stripe at AMG. Balance on delivery.

Affordable car shipping without hidden fees. That's us. Brokers keep rates reasonable. Carriers charge you more direct.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Booking cheapest quote. Cheap means risks.
• Ignoring seasonal rushes. Summer moves to Florida? Book early.
• Forgetting multi-car discounts. Families save big.

Relocating to Florida ship car from Texas? We do it weekly. Vehicle transport Texas to California expert broker.

Why AMG Transport Co. Makes Booking Easy

You've checked the list. Now choose right. AMG handles what carriers hate. Customer service. Fraud protection. Reliable networks.

Our parent, AMG Endeavors, runs carriers. We know both sides. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickup windows. VIN scans. Stripe deposits. Honest quotes. Door-to-door nationwide.

Best auto transport company Texas? Us. For out-of-state moves. Luxury vehicle transport. Classic car transport enclosed carrier. You name it.

Ready? Get your free quote now. No regrets. Just results.

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