What hidden fees should I expect when shipping my car?
People hate surprises when it comes to money. I get it. At AMG Transport Co., we deal with the reality of the road every day. The truth is, the auto transport industry is full of bait-and-switch tactics. You see a low price online, you book it, and suddenly the price jumps five hundred dollars because of a fuel surcharge or a storage fee.
I have been on both sides of this. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, owns the trucks. We know the maintenance costs. As a broker, I know the games people play. My job is to be the buffer. I keep the rates reasonable and the carriers honest. Most people couldn't work with carriers directly if they tried. Carriers don't want to deal with the public. They want to drive. They want to know they are getting paid. They rely on us to handle the headaches.
Here is the breakdown of where the money actually goes and why some quotes are lies.
What hidden fees should I expect when shipping my car?
The biggest hidden fee isn't a line item. It is the price hike that happens after you sign. Some brokers quote you a low-ball price just to get your credit card on file. Then they realize no carrier will take the load for that price. They come back and tell you the market changed. That is garbage.
Real hidden fees usually fall into these categories:
- Inoperable Vehicle Fees: If your car does not roll, steer, or brake, the carrier has to use a winch. That costs extra. If you did not mention it upfront, expect a bill at the curb.
- Overweight or Oversized Loads: Shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference is real. If you have a lift kit or a roof rack you did not disclose, the carrier will charge you more because you are taking up more space and weight.
- Residential Access Issues: If a semi-truck cannot get into your neighborhood, they might have to hire a local flatbed to meet them.
- Personal Items: Most carriers are not licensed to move household goods. If you pack your trunk with three hundred pounds of clothes, the carrier might hit you with a weight fee or refuse the load because of DOT scales.
How do insurance requirements vary by carrier?
Insurance is not a place to cut corners. Every carrier we work with is vetted and insured. But don't assume every broker does that. Some guys out there are just "load board pirates" who will give your keys to anyone with a trailer.
Standard cargo insurance usually covers between $100,000 and $250,000 for an open car carrier transport. If you are looking at enclosed auto transport for luxury cars, that coverage needs to be much higher, often up to $1,000,000.
You should always ask for the Certificate of Insurance. At AMG, we verify this before a truck even shows up. If the carrier's insurance is expired or insufficient, they don't get the job. Beware of brokers who ask you to pay extra for their own "gap insurance." A reputable carrier's policy should cover your vehicle from the moment it is loaded until it is dropped off.
Are there fuel surcharges during peak seasons?
Diesel prices are volatile. Carriers are sensitive to this. If you are shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles, that truck is burning a lot of fuel. Some companies will give you a quote and then add a fuel surcharge if prices spike.
We provide honest quotes that account for these shifts. When you book nationwide vehicle shipping door to door, the price should be locked. We work with our network to ensure the rate we give you is the rate the carrier accepts. Peak seasons, like "snowbird" season or the summer move rush, will naturally have higher base rates because demand is high. A good broker explains this upfront. A bad one hides it in the fine print.
| Service Type | Average Distance | Potential Extra Fees |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Open Carrier | 1,000+ Miles | Top load request, Inop fee |
| Enclosed Carrier | 1,000+ Miles | Liftgate use, White glove service |
| Door-to-Door | Any | Low clearance access, Storage fees |
| Terminal-to-Terminal | Any | Daily storage, Security fees |
What delivery window guarantees exist?
If a broker tells you they can guarantee a delivery to the hour, they are lying. The roads are dangerous. Traffic, weather, and DOT inspections happen. However, you should expect a reasonable window.
At AMG, we aim for 72-hour pickup windows. We keep you informed. How long does car shipping take cross country? Usually 7 to 10 days. If someone tells you they can do it in four, they are likely speeding or breaking federal driving hour laws. Neither is good for your car.
Why you need a broker who knows the truck side
Carriers are not saints. They avoid working with the public because people often don't pay on time. They also know they can charge an individual more than they charge a broker they work with every week. That is why working with an experienced car shipping broker you can trust is a requirement, not an option.
We use VIN scans to ensure the right car is on the right truck. We use Stripe for secure deposits so your financial data is safe. We act as the buffer. If the carrier has a problem, they call me, not you. I solve it. My job is to make sure your vehicle transport from Texas to California is boring. Boring is good in logistics.
The AMG Difference
You want affordable car shipping without hidden fees. You want to know your car is safe. You want someone who speaks the language of the drivers but treats you like a professional. We don't sugar coat the reality of the road. It is a tough business, but we do it right.
If you are relocating to Florida or need to ship a car from Texas to anywhere in the lower 48, don't gamble with your property. We provide the strongest customer experience because we know what happens behind the scenes. We handle the sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. The carriers focus on the driving. You focus on your move.
Stop guessing what it costs. Get a real quote from people who actually know how trucks work.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.