Avoid scams, delays, and surprise fees with this essential pre-booking question checklist for car shipping. Verify credentials, pricing, and timelines before deposit.

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Ready to Book Auto Transport? What Must You Ask First?

You're about to ship your car. Excitement builds. Or stress. The auto transport world is rough. Scams lurk. Fees hide. Delays hit hard. Don't rush. Ask the right questions first. This checklist saves you headaches. It spots fraud. It locks in clear terms. Brokers like AMG Transport Co. thrive on transparency. We handle the mess carriers avoid. Sales. Coordination. Backend grind. Carriers drive trucks. They dodge people problems. Roads kill. They focus there. We buffer you. We guide through fraud. We keep rates fair.

Most folks can't call carriers direct. Geography. Availability. Brokers bridge that. But pick wrong? Trouble. Ask these. Verify. Protect your deposit. Get door-to-door service right.

Do They Have Verifiable Licensing and Insurance?

Licensing proves legitimacy. No license? Walk away. Fraudsters fake sites. They vanish post-deposit. Demand USDOT and MC numbers. Check FMCSA site. Active status. No complaints pileup.

Can you provide active USDOT and MC numbers for verification?

Yes means legit. No? Red flag. Brokers must register. Carriers too. AMG Transport Co., your Texas-based auto transport broker, lists ours upfront. Parent AMG Endeavors holds carrier authority. We vet every trucker. Insured. Licensed. Track record clean. Enter numbers at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. See insurance on file. Authority active. Skip this? Risk total loss.

What carrier insurance limits and deductibles apply to my vehicle?

Cargo insurance matters. Not truck liability. Ask limits. $100K common. Deductibles vary. $0 to $1K. Get packet. Proof in writing. AMG uses vetted insured carriers. Full coverage docs pre-booking. Luxury cars? Enclosed options. We match needs. Open carrier for standard. Know deductibles upfront. Claims drag without.

Is Pricing Truly Transparent and Final?

Quotes bait. Fees ambush later. Demand all-in numbers. Fuel. Tolls. Access. No surprises. Cross-country ship? Ask how much does it cost to ship a car cross country. Brokers cut margins thin. Direct carriers gouge retail.

Does this quote include all fees like fuel surcharges or residential access?

List every charge. Fuel surcharges spike. Residential pickup adds $50-200. Door-to-door nationwide vehicle shipping costs more rural. AMG gives honest quotes. No hidden fees. Stripe deposits secure. Transparent from jump. Open car carrier transport cost lower than enclosed. We break it down. SUV vs sedan? Slight bump. Non-running? Extra.

What triggers a price change after booking?

Market flux. Carrier full. Rare with good brokers. Lock quote terms. AMG holds firm. 72-hour pickup windows. No bait-switch. Ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles? We quote real. Texas to California experts.

| Fee Type | Typical Range | AMG Practice |

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

| Fuel Surcharge | 10-20% | Included upfront |

| Residential Access | $50-200 | Quoted explicitly |

| Non-Running Fee | $100-300 | Disclosed pre-deposit |

What Are Realistic Timelines and Communication Expectations?

Pickup fantasies kill deals. Doors don't wait. Trucks roll networks. Expect windows. Not dates.

What is your exact pickup window and how do you handle delays?

72 hours standard. AMG guarantees it. Delays? Weather. Breakdowns. Force majeure. Ask policy. Credits? Rebooks? Cross-country car shipping takes 5-14 days. Houston to LA? 7-10. We text updates. VIN scans at load. Proof.

How will I track my vehicle and get updates?

Portals. Texts. Calls. Demand details. AMG portal live. GPS pins. Driver cell. No blackouts. Families multi-car? Track all.

What Are Cancellation and Damage Policies?

Life shifts. Know outs. Deposits stick otherwise.

What is the deposit refund policy if I cancel before dispatch?

Full refund pre-dispatch. Stripe makes it easy. AMG policy: 100% back if no truck assigned. Post-dispatch? Fees fair.

How do you document vehicle condition at pickup and delivery?

Photos. VIN scans. Checklists. Timestamped. AMG mandates it. Driver snaps 360s. Uploads instant. Disputes die fast. Damage? File claim smooth.

Classic car transport enclosed carrier? Extra care. We spec it.

Why AMG Transport Co. Wins

Tired of risks? AMG Transport Co. answers all. Verifiable MC/USDOT. Vetted carriers. Honest quotes. 72-hour pickups. Stripe deposits. VIN scans. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: simple. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Trusted car shipping broker reviews glow. Best auto transport company Texas. Ship non-running? Multi-car? Luxury enclosed? We got it.

Get your free quote now. No games. Just results.

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