How Do I Verify a Broker's Legitimacy Before Booking?
Listen up. You need to ship a car. That's why you're here. The auto transport industry is a wild west. Lots of folks out there looking to take your money and not deliver. You need to know how to spot the fakes. AMG Transport Co. can help. We're a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, built on solid ground. Here's what to look for when you're vetting a broker.
Check for Licensing and Registration
First things first. Does the broker have a Motor Carrier (MC) number? Every legitimate broker must have one. It's issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can look them up on the FMCSA website. If they don't have this, walk away. Immediately. No exceptions. It’s like a doctor without a license. Or a contractor without insurance. You wouldn't trust them with your health or home. Don’t trust them with your car.
Read Reviews, but Be Smart About It
Reviews are a mixed bag. They can be helpful. They can also be faked. Look at sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Check Google reviews. See what people are saying. Look for patterns. A lot of negative reviews quickly can tell you something. Zero negative reviews might also tell you something. Nobody's perfect. At AMG Transport Co., we deal with a lot of car shipping services in Texas and across the country. Our reputation is our business. We work hard for positive trusted car shipping broker reviews.
Ask About Insurance
This is critical. A legitimate broker will only work with insured carriers. They should be able to provide proof of insurance for the carrier hauling your vehicle. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, is a carrier. We know the ins and outs of carrier insurance. We vet every carrier we work with. They must have adequate coverage. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Your car is an investment. Protect it.
Get a Detailed Quote
A good broker provides clear, honest quotes. There shouldn't be hidden fees. If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Someone promising affordable car shipping without hidden fees should be transparent about their pricing structure. Ask for a breakdown. Understand what affects car shipping cost per mile. Things like distance, vehicle type (e.g., shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference), and transport type (open car carrier transport cost) all play a role. A reputable broker can explain this. We use Stripe for deposits, so your initial payment is secure.
Understand the Process
How do they communicate? What are their pickup and delivery windows? A vague answer is a red flag. We offer a 72-hour pickup window. This provides flexibility for the carrier. It also sets realistic expectations for you. We conduct VIN scans at pickup and delivery. This ensures accuracy and accountability. For example, door-to-door car shipping how it works should be clearly explained. From Houston to Los Angeles, or relocating to Florida, ship car from Texas. Communication is key throughout the whole process.
Look for Red Flags
- High-pressure sales tactics: If they're pushing you to book immediately, be wary. Good companies don't need to strong-arm you.
- Demanding cash or wire transfers: Legitimate businesses use secure payment methods. Like our Stripe deposits.
- Lack of transparency: If they can't answer your questions clearly, or seem evasive, move on.
- No physical address or contact information: Every real business has this.
- Very new website with little content: While new companies can be legitimate, a brand-new, nearly empty site is a warning sign.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
This is where a good broker really shines. Do you need enclosed auto transport for luxury cars? Or perhaps classic car transport enclosed carrier service? An experienced car shipping broker you can trust will explain the pros and cons of each. They won't just immediately push the most expensive option. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Open Carrier | Enclosed Carrier |
| :------------------ | :-------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Protection | Exposed to elements, road debris | Fully protected from elements, road debris |
| Availability | More common, faster scheduling | Less common, longer scheduling |
| Best For | Standard vehicles, everyday use, multi-car transport for families | Luxury, classic, exotic, or high clearance vehicles, luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open|
We handle both. We can also handle shipping a non-running vehicle what to know. We have solutions for your specific needs.
Why Brokers?
Carriers are busy driving. They don't want to deal with every customer's questions. Nor do they want to spend their time coordinating logistics and sales. That's our job. We handle the front-end sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. Everything outside of putting rubber to road. That includes sorting out the reliable carriers from the bad ones. We know the carriers. They know us. We are their buffer to ensure they get paid. And for you, we are your buffer to ensure you get your car moved safely at a fair price. It'll never be cheap to get the job done right, but a good broker will get it done. We save you the headache of trying to track down a truck anywhere in the country. That's how long does car shipping take cross country research handled by us.
Conclusion: Choose AMG Transport Co.
Look, shipping a car isn't a walk in the park. It's a significant expense and a critical service. Don't gamble with your vehicle. You need an auto transport broker in Texas you can trust. AMG Transport Co. is that broker. We understand the industry. We work with vetted, insured carriers. We provide transparent pricing. We prioritize your customer experience. We are your experienced car shipping broker you can trust. Whether it's nationwide vehicle shipping door to door or a specific route like vehicle transport Texas to California expert broker, we've got you covered. Get an honest quote and peace of mind.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote today!
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.