What hidden fees should I expect when shipping a car?
I have been in this game a long time. I work for AMG Transport Co. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, actually owns the trucks. I know both sides of the fence. Most people think they can just call a guy with a trailer and get a deal. They are wrong. Most drivers do not want to talk to you. They do not want to deal with your questions or your late payments. They want to drive.
That is where a broker comes in. We handle the headaches. But the industry is full of sharks. You see a low price online and you click it. You think you found a bargain. You didn't. You found a trap. By the time your car is on a trailer, that low price has doubled.
If you want affordable car shipping without hidden fees, you need to know where the bodies are buried. Here is the truth about why your bill goes up.
The Low-Ball Quote Trap
Some brokers give you a quote that is too good to be true. It usually is. They throw out a number to get your deposit. Then they cannot find a driver to take the job because the pay is too low. To get the car moved, they have to hike the price. They call it a "market adjustment." I call it bad business.
At AMG Transport Co., we provide honest quotes based on what it actually costs to move steel. We do not play games with your time.
Fuel Surcharges and Market Volatility
Diesel is not cheap. Drivers calculate their margins down to the cent. If fuel prices spike between your quote and your pickup, some companies will tack on a fuel surcharge. You should ask about this upfront. A reliable auto transport broker Texas like us includes these variables in the initial price. We know what it costs to get from Houston to Los Angeles. We do not surprise you at the curb.
Inoperable Vehicle Fees
If your car does not start, roll, or steer, tell us. Shipping a non-running vehicle involves extra equipment. The driver needs a winch or a forklift. If the driver shows up and finds out the car is dead, he is going to charge you an extra $150 to $500. Or he will just leave. Be honest about the condition of the car. It saves everyone time.
Residential Access Issues
These trucks are huge. They are 80 feet long. They cannot fit into tight cul-de-sacs or under low-hanging trees. If the driver has to meet you at a shopping mall parking lot because he cannot get to your house, that is normal. But if he has to hire a smaller flatbed to get the car to you, that is a fee. This is why door-to-door car shipping how it works depends on your location. Always have a backup meeting spot ready.
Insurance and Gaps in Coverage
Most carriers have insurance. Not all of them have enough. Some brokers will try to sell you a "supplemental" insurance fee at the last second. We do not do that. We only work with vetted insured carriers. We check their credentials before they touch your keys. We also use VIN scans to document the state of the vehicle before it moves. No arguments. No lies.
Extra Weight and Personal Items
Your car is not a moving van. If you pack the trunk with bricks and old books, the truck gets heavy. Heavy trucks pay more at weigh stations. Drivers will charge you for the extra weight. Usually, it is a dollar per pound over a certain limit. Keep the car empty. It is safer for your stuff and better for your wallet.
| Potential Fee | Estimated Cost | How to Avoid It |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Inoperable Fee | $150 - $500 | Disclose condition upfront |
| Fuel Surcharge | Variable | Get an all-in quote |
| Top Load Request | $50 - $100 | Standard placement is cheaper |
| Change of Address | $100+ | Lock in your locations early |
| Storage Fees | $50/day | Be there for the 72-hour window |
Expedited Shipping and Timing
If you need your car gone tomorrow, you will pay for it. A standard 72-hour pickup window is the sweet spot. If you want it faster, we have to bump another load. That costs money. How long does car shipping take cross country? Usually 7 to 10 days. If someone tells you they can do it in 3 days for the same price, they are lying to you.
Why We Are the Buffer
Carriers can be rough. They are tired and they deal with a lot of risk. They sometimes try to overcharge regular people because they think you do not know the market. We are your buffer. We keep the rates reasonable because we give these drivers consistent work. They listen to us. They do not always listen to you.
We use Stripe for safe deposits. We do not use shady wire transfers. We do the backend work so you do not have to. It's that simple.
The Bottom Line
You get what you pay for. If you want the lowest price on the internet, expect hidden fees. If you want the job done right, you work with an experienced car shipping broker you can trust. We know the roads. We know the drivers. We know the costs.
Stop guessing what it costs to ship a car. Get a real number from people who actually own trucks.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.