How Do I Verify a Carrier's Insurance Coverage?
So you're looking to ship a car. Good on you for thinking about insurance. Many folks don't. Then they're surprised when things go south. At AMG Transport Co., we deal with this daily. We’re well-versed in carrier insurance, making sure our clients are covered. Don't trust your vehicle to just anyone. It's too big a risk.
What types of insurance are required for auto transport?
When we talk about auto transport, we’re talking about a few key types of insurance. Every legitimate carrier needs them to operate legally. First, there's cargo insurance. This covers your vehicle against damage during transit. It's the big one for you. Carriers also need liability insurance. This covers damages to other vehicles or property if there's an accident. Think about it: a big rig hitting a parked car. That's liability. Lastly, workers' compensation is essential for their employees. Not directly for your car, but it shows they're a reputable business. You wouldn't want a carrier cutting corners there. Most carriers will have a minimum of $100,000 in cargo coverage. Some, especially those handling luxury vehicles, will carry more. When you use car shipping services Texas or any nationwide vehicle shipping door to door service through us, we ensure the carrier meets these requirements.
These are basic requirements for any carrier operating on our roads. If a carrier tries to tell you otherwise, walk away. Fast. It's a key part of avoiding that fraud-filled industry I mentioned.
How can I check a carrier's insurance certificate validity?
This is where an auto transport broker like us really earns our keep. You, as a regular person, most likely don't have access to the databases we do. You probably couldn't work with most carriers even if you wanted to. Even if you could, it's a huge hassle. Carriers don’t want to deal with individuals and their paperwork. They have enough problems on the road. We handle this for you. We check every carrier's insurance certificate. We verify its validity through official channels, like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. This is a crucial step for us.
When we get a carrier's certificate of insurance, we look for specifics. Dates of coverage. The insurance provider. The policy numbers. We also check for any exclusions or limits that might impact your specific transport. For luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open, the coverage can be different. We only work with vetted, insured carriers. We verify these documents before they even get near your vehicle. Red flags to avoid? A handwritten certificate. No listed policy number. An unresponsive insurance company when we call to verify. A reputable driver will always have proof. If you go it alone, ask for a copy. Then, call the insurance provider directly. Not the number the driver gives you. Look up the official number. It's a pain, which is why a good broker is almost required for something like this. We are the experienced car shipping broker you can trust.
What happens if a carrier's insurance is insufficient during transit?
This is why we stress verification. If a carrier's insurance is insufficient, you are exposed. Big time. Let's say your car gets damaged. Perhaps it's a classic car transport enclosed carrier service you booked. If the carrier doesn’t have enough cargo insurance, you're left holding the bag. All repairs come out of your pocket. Maybe they have no insurance at all. Then you have no recourse. It's a bad situation. Legal and financial implications are severe. You'd have to sue the carrier directly. That means lawyers, court fees, and a whole lot of wasted time and money. And even if you win, most fly-by-night carriers don't have assets to pay up.
This is why AMG Transport Co. exists. We act as your buffer. We ensure the carriers we use have proper coverage. We have a vested interest in your vehicle's safe transport. Our parent company, AMG Endeavors, is a carrier itself. So we understand both sides of the coin. Many people ask, "how much does it cost to ship a car cross country?" or "what affects car shipping cost per mile?" A reputable broker ensures that part of that cost covers proper insurance. It's not cheap to get the job done right, but it saves you a fortune in potential headaches and losses. We bridge the gap. We connect you with trusted carriers for things like shipping a non-running vehicle what to know or multi-car transport for families. We make sure the details are handled.
When you work with us, you're not just getting a quote. You're getting peace of mind. We use VIN scans at pickup and delivery. This documents the condition of your vehicle. We handle the frontend sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. All the stuff carriers don't want to do. We make sure they're invested in taking care of our clients. That’s why we’re considered the best auto transport company for out-of-state moves and a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. We keep rates reasonable because of our relationships with carriers. We work with carriers, but we work for you.
Don't leave your car's safety to chance. Verifying insurance is non-negotiable. With AMG Transport Co., you don't have to worry about it. We handle the heavy lifting, ensuring your vehicle is transported safely and legally. Need to ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles, or relocating to Florida ship car from Texas? We've got you covered. We've got a fantastic auto transport safety record and reputation. We are the experienced car shipping broker you can trust. Go with the pros. We make sure your vehicle is transported safely, securely, and with proper coverage.
Get an honest quote today.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.