How Can You Verify an Auto Transport Company's Legitimacy Before Booking?
You're about to ship your car cross country. Prices look good. But is the company legit? Scams hit this industry hard. Fake brokers vanish with your deposit. Shady carriers damage vehicles then ghost you. Don't risk it. Verify first. Here's how. Step by step. No fluff.
How Do I Find and Verify a Company's FMCSA Number?
Every real auto transport company needs an FMCSA number. Carriers get a DOT number. Brokers get an MC number. Both register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Go to fmcsa.dot.gov. Use the search tool. Enter the company name or phone number. Results show active authority, out-of-service status, and entity type. Cross-check the number on their website. Call them. Ask for it directly. If they dodge, walk away.
At AMG Transport Co., our broker MC number is public. Our parent carrier, AMG Endeavors, has its DOT number listed too. We pull from the site daily.
What Safety Ratings Should I Look For?
FMCSA assigns safety ratings. Green is "Satisfactory." Yellow is "Conditional." Red is "Unsatisfactory." No rating? Fine, if they're new and clean.
Prioritize Satisfactory. Conditional means issues fixed but watched. Unsatisfactory? Run. Check the date. Old problems might linger.
How Do I Interpret CSA Scores?
CSA scores track violations. Seven categories like hours of service, vehicle maintenance. Scores under 80% are good. Over 100% signals trouble.
Click into the carrier snapshot. Review recent inspections, crashes. Percentile rank matters. Top 25%? Solid. Bottom? Avoid.
What Insurance Proof Should I Demand Before Paying?
Insurance isn't optional. Demand cargo insurance for your vehicle. Liability covers damage to others. Brokers like us don't haul, so we vet carriers' policies.
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (CO). Not a declaration page. CO lists coverage limits, effective dates, your name as certificate holder.
How Can I Contact the Insurer Directly?
CO has the insurer's phone and policy number. Call them. Verify coverage matches. Ask if the carrier is current. Scammers use fakes. Real ones verify instantly.
AMG requires vetted carriers with $100,000+ cargo coverage. We email COs upfront.
What Coverage Limits Are Realistic?
Expect $100,000 to $250,000 cargo per load for standard haulers. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars? Higher. Brokers aggregate carrier policies. Don't chase $1M claims—it's fluff.
Which Reviews and References Are Most Trustworthy?
Skip Facebook raves. Go to TransportReviews.com, BBB.org, Google My Business. Look for 4+ stars over 100 reviews. Recent ones count most.
Call references. Ask about pickup windows, condition on delivery, payout speed. Brokers with carrier ties get honest feedback.
AMG Transport Co. shines on trusted car shipping broker reviews. Texas-based, nationwide door-to-door.
How Do I Spot Fake Online Reviews?
Patterns scream fake. All 5-stars in a week? Generic text like "great service"? Reviewer profiles with one post? Suspicious.
Check for balance. Legit companies have 4.2-4.8 averages. Some 1-stars with responses show accountability.
What Red Flags Signal a Potential Scam?
Too-good quotes. No deposit? Or full upfront via wire? Bad signs. Legit firms take card deposits, like our Stripe system.
No physical address. Vague fleets. Pressure to book now. Unmarked trucks in photos.
Here's a quick table:
| Good Signs | Red Flags |
|------------|-----------|
| FMCSA active, CO provided | No FMCSA, verbal promises |
| 72-hour pickup guarantee | "Next truck" excuses |
| VIN scans pre/post | Cash/Wire only |
| Vetted carriers listed | Anonymous website |
Why Do Vague Quotes Mean Trouble?
"Cheap as $500 coast to coast?" Bull. Real costs run $1,000+ for how much does it cost to ship a car cross country. Factors like open car carrier transport cost, distance, fuel hit rates.
Honest brokers quote specifics: open vs enclosed, door-to-door car shipping how it works. We give transparent rates. No lowball then upsell.
Final Word: Choose Proven Protection
Verification takes 30 minutes. Saves thousands. Skimp here, regret later. Roads are rough. Fraudsters prey on trust.
AMG Transport Co. checks all boxes. Texas auto transport broker with nationwide reach. Vetted insured carriers. VIN scans on pickup and delivery. Stripe deposits only. 72-hour pickup windows. Honest quotes, no games. Parent carrier knows the haul.
We're the buffer carriers need, the guide you trust in this mess. Ship smart. Get your quote today.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.