How Can You Verify a Carrier's Legitimacy Before Booking Auto Transport?

You're about to ship your car cross-country. Quotes look good. But is that carrier legit? Scams hit hard in auto transport. Fake operators take deposits and vanish. Real carriers get buried in complaints. Brokers like AMG Transport Co. vet them first. But if you're going direct, verify yourself. Don't pay until you check.

The industry is fraud-filled. Roads are dangerous. Carriers focus on driving, not sales. That's our job as brokers. We handle frontend sales, coordination, backend systems. Carriers avoid people problems. Non-payment risks make them wary. They charge individuals more. Brokers buffer rates. We build relationships. Ensure they care for our clients.

Most folks can't even contact carriers directly. Geography matters. Your car could be anywhere. Experienced brokers are nearly required. Here's how to check carriers yourself.

What FMCSA and DOT Numbers Should You Always Verify?

Every legit carrier has a USDOT number. Issued by FMCSA. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It's mandatory for interstate hauls. MC authority follows for brokers, but carriers need operating authority.

Ask for both upfront. No numbers? Walk away. Scammers dodge this.

FMCSA database is free. Public. Search by DOT or MC number. Check active status. Expiration dates. Out-of-service orders.

| Check | What It Means | Red Flag |

|------|---------------|----------|

| Active USDOT | Legal to operate | Inactive or revoked |

| Operating Authority | Can haul for hire | Suspended |

| Entity Type | For-hire carrier | Broker pretending |

Texas-based shippers, nationwide vehicle shipping door to door starts here. Verify before booking.

How Do You Search the FMCSA Database for a Carrier?

Go to safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Click 'Company Snapshot.' Enter DOT number. Hit search.

Results show: legal name, DBA, address, phone. Fleet size. Cargo hauled. Matches their quote?

Check inspection history. Crashes. Violations. High numbers mean trouble.

Takes two minutes. Do it before any deposit.

What Safety Ratings Indicate a Reliable Carrier?

FMCSA assigns ratings: Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory is green light. Others? Pause.

CSA scores break it down. Seven categories: unsafe driving, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, etc. Above average in all? Solid.

No rating? New carrier. Riskier. Prefer established ones.

At AMG, we use vetted insured carriers only. Auto transport safety record and reputation matter.

How Can You Confirm Active Insurance Coverage?

Carriers claim coverage. Proof? Demand a certificate. Not just words.

Liability minimum: $750,000. Cargo: $100,000 per vehicle. Verify both.

Scammers fake PDFs. Easy to spot if you know what to look for.

What Should a Legitimate Insurance Certificate Include?

Certificate from the insurer. Not broker. Lists carrier's name, DOT number. Policy number. Effective dates. Coverage amounts. Authorized signature.

No expiration soon? Good. Covers auto transport? Specified.

Open car carrier transport cost or enclosed auto transport for luxury cars—insurance must match.

Why Contact the Insurance Provider Directly?

Call the number on certificate. Confirm details. Policy active? Carrier listed?

Insurers verify instantly. Scammers can't fake this.

We at AMG require this. Stripe deposits only after. Secure. No chargebacks.

What Reviews and References Reveal About a Carrier?

Google, TransportReviews, BBB. Read recent ones. Patterns?

No reviews? New or hiding. Dodgy.

Ask for references. Past customers. Call them. Delivery on time? Condition good?

Carrier sites often scrubbed. Independent sites better.

How to Spot Fake Online Reviews?

All five-stars? Suspicious. Generic text. Same day posted. Reviewer no history.

Mix is real. Complaints fixed? Better.

Trusted car shipping broker reviews guide us. We read them all.

What Final Checks Ensure You're Booking Safely?

Physical address. Google it. Strip mall PO box? Nope.

Equipment photos. Real trucks? Trailers match quote: open or enclosed?

Contract details. 72-hour pickup windows. Door-to-door. VIN scans pre/post.

How long does car shipping take cross country? Ask their timeline. Realistic?

Multi-car transport for families? They handle?

Shipping a non-running vehicle what to know? Pros handle winching.

Door pick-up and delivery car transport service standard.

One more: payment. Deposits via Stripe or check. Never wire, gift cards, crypto.

Why Brokers Like AMG Make This Easy

Carriers don't want the hassle. We do. As a Texas-based auto transport broker nationwide, we vet carriers daily.

Honest quotes. No hidden fees. Vetted insured carriers. VIN scans protect your ride. 72-hour pickups. Experienced car shipping broker you can trust.

Ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles? Relocating to Florida ship car from Texas? We got you.

Skip the risk. Get a quote today. Let pros handle it.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.