Confirm quotes, verify carriers, understand payments & cancellation rights to avoid surprises. Essential decision checklist for smooth car shipping.

booking process pre-shipment checklist quote confirmation carrier verification payment details cancellation policy decision guide auto transport booking how to choose a reliable auto transport broker auto transport quotes how to compare

What Final Steps Should You Take Before Booking Auto Transport?

You're about to ship your car. Excitement builds. Or stress. Roads are dangerous. Scams lurk. Brokers like us at AMG Transport Co. handle the mess carriers avoid. We front sales. Coordinate loads. Manage systems. Carriers drive trucks. They fix problems on highways. They don't want customer headaches. Or non-payers.

Most folks can't book direct with carriers anyway. Geography blocks it. Timing fails. Brokers bridge gaps. We keep rates fair. Build carrier ties. Ensure they care about our clients. Skip these final steps? Regret follows. Surprises hit. Let's fix that. Here's your checklist.

Confirm Quotes Side-by-Side

Quotes vary. Wildly. Fuel spikes. Demand surges. Distance matters. Open vs. enclosed. SUV vs. sedan. All shift costs.

Grab three quotes minimum. From brokers. Not direct carriers. Compare apples to apples.

Base rate: Per mile? Flat fee? Cross-country from Texas to California? Expect $1,000-$1,500 open carrier.
Fuel surcharge: Locked? Or variable?
Hidden fees: No terminal fees with door-to-door.
Insurance coverage: Broker liability? Carrier primary?

At AMG, quotes stay honest. No bait-and-switch. We quote real. Texas-based auto transport broker nationwide. Door-to-door vehicle shipping. No surprises.

Call carriers too. Ask load boards. Verify broker rates beat direct gouging. Direct often costs more. They skip broker margins. Charge you premium.

Verify Your Carrier

Brokers assign carriers. Crucial step. Check FMCSA number. SAFER system. Free lookup.

Look for:

Authority active. No revoked status.
Insurance minimum $750k cargo. Proof on file.
Safety rating: Satisfactory. No conditional.
Reviews: Transport Reviews. Google. Real ones.

Carriers hide sins. Double-broking. Cargo claims. We vet ours. Insured. Reliable. AMG Endeavors, our carrier arm, sets standards. We use partners like them.

Ask broker: \"Show carrier docs.\" Legit ones do. Fraudsters dodge.

Understand Payment Details

Payments trip people. Brokers take deposits. Balance on delivery.

Expect:

| Payment Type | Pros | Cons |

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

| Credit Card | Fast. Protected. | Fees possible. Limits. |

| ACH/Wire | Cheap. Secure. | Slower. Irreversible. |

| Cash/Check | Flexible. | Risky on delivery. |

AMG uses Stripe deposits. Secure. Transparent. Affordable car shipping without hidden fees. No full upfront. Balance secure.

Question marks? Ask. \"What if carrier damages?\" Broker covers claims.

Know Cancellation Rights

Life changes. Jobs shift. Plans flop. Cancellation policy matters.

Standard: Free within 24-48 hours. Deposit refundable minus fees after.

Read fine print:

Deposit amount: 10-20% typical.
Refund timeline: 7-14 days.
Peak season clauses.

AMG clear. No tricks. Cancel early? Funds back fast.

Confirm Pickup and Delivery Windows

Vehicles move nationwide. Delays happen. Weather. Traffic. Mechanicals.

Demand:

72-hour pickup window. AMG standard.
Delivery estimate: 5-14 days cross-country.
Terminal? No. Door-to-door.

\"Open carrier\"? Cheaper. Exposed. Fine for daily drivers. \"Enclosed auto transport\"? Luxury. Classics. Protects.

From Houston to LA? Plan 7-10 days. We coordinate.

Document Vehicle Condition Thoroughly

Photos front. Back. Sides. Underneath. Bill of lading signed both ends.

AMG requires VIN scans. Timestamped. Proof pristine start. Damage claims? Ironclad.

Non-running? Tell upfront. Fees apply. Ramps needed.

Multi-car? Families save. Discounts kick in.

Final Checklist Before You Click Book

Tick these. Sleep easy.

[ ] Quotes compared. Honest ones.
[ ] Carrier verified. FMCSA clean.
[ ] Payments clear. Secure method.
[ ] Cancellation understood.
[ ] Windows confirmed. 72-hour pickup.
[ ] Vehicle docs ready. VIN scan.
[ ] Contract read. No surprises.

Why AMG Transport Co. Wins

Industry's fraud-filled. Carriers dodge people. Brokers buffer. We excel. Vetted insured carriers. Stripe secure. Honest quotes. 72-hour pickups. Door-to-door nationwide. Texas auto transport broker you trust.

Relocating? Shipping classics? SUVs cross-country? We handle. No-nonsense. Proven.

Get your quote now. Skip regrets.

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