Discover essential questions to ask before sending a deposit for car shipping. Avoid scams, hidden fees, and unreliable service with this booking checklist.

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What Should You Confirm Before Paying Your Auto Transport Deposit?

You're about to ship your car cross-country. Excitement builds. Then doubt hits. Scams lurk everywhere in auto transport. Fraudsters grab deposits and vanish. Hidden fees pile up. Cars arrive damaged, uninsured.

Don't wire money blindly. Confirm these essentials first. I've managed logistics at AMG Transport Co. for years. We broker nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. As a Texas-based auto transport broker, we vet carriers daily. Carriers hate dealing with customers directly. They focus on roads. We handle sales, coordination, problems. That's our edge.

This checklist saves you headaches. Ask these before any deposit.

1. Verify Broker and Carrier Credentials

Start here. Legit players show proof.

FMCSA and USDOT Numbers: Brokers and carriers must register with FMCSA. Search safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Active authority? Good. Inactive? Walk away.
Broker Authority: Confirm they hold a valid broker bond. $75,000 minimum. Proof on request.
Carrier Vetting: Ask for carrier packets. Insurance certificates. Safety ratings. At AMG, we use only vetted, insured carriers. No fly-by-nights.

Red flag: Vague answers. "Trust us." Nope.

2. Nail Down Insurance Confirmation

Your car totals $50,000. Crash happens. Who's paying?

Broker Liability: Covers booking errors. Up to bond amount.
Carrier Cargo Insurance: Minimum $100,000 per vehicle. Get certificate naming you. Verify issuer.
Contingent Coverage: Brokers offer extra if carrier skimps.

Demand copies before deposit. AMG requires carriers show full insurance. We add our layer too.

| Coverage Type | What to Confirm | Red Flag |

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

| Broker Bond | $75k min, proof | No proof |

| Carrier Cargo | $100k+, your name | "Standard" only |

| Gap Policy | Extra protection | None offered |

3. Demand Pricing Transparency

Quotes sound cheap. Then fees explode. Fuel surcharges. Terminal fees. Tolls.

Total Quote: All-in cost. No surprises.
What Affects Price: Mileage, vehicle size, season, fuel. SUV vs sedan? SUVs cost more. Open vs enclosed? Enclosed doubles for luxury cars.
Deposit Amount: 10-25% typical. Refundable?

AMG gives honest quotes upfront. No bait-and-switch. We know open car carrier transport costs. Enclosed for classics? We quote exact.

Question: "How much does it cost to ship a car cross country?" From Houston to LA? Expect $1,200-$1,800 open. We break it down.

4. Confirm Pickup and Delivery Details

Your car sits anywhere. Timing matters.

72-Hour Pickup Window: Realistic promise. Not "next day."
Door-to-Door: True service? Or terminals?
Timeline: Cross-country? 7-14 days. Weather delays? Ask policy.

At AMG, 72-hour pickup standard. Nationwide door-to-door car shipping how it works: We coordinate precise.

5. Check Deposit Payment Method

Deposits secure spots. Method matters.

Stripe or Credit Card: Trackable. Refundable.
Avoid Wire Transfers: Irreversible. Scammer favorite.

AMG uses Stripe deposits. Secure. Easy refunds if needed.

6. Require VIN Scans and Vehicle Inspection

Photos lie. Damage hides.

Pre-Load VIN Scan: App verifies vehicle. Timestamped.
Bill of Lading: Signed inspection at pickup.

We mandate VIN scans at AMG. Protects you, us, carrier.

7. Review Cancellation Policy

Plans change. Life happens.

Refund Terms: Full before dispatch. Partial after?
Timeframe: 24-48 hours notice?

Clear policy? Pay deposit. AMG's straightforward: Cancel pre-pickup, full refund minus fee.

Common Scams to Dodge

Industry's fraud-filled. Brokers vanish post-deposit. Carriers double-broker to unknowns. Cars rerouted.

Too-Good Quotes: Under market? Trap.
Pressure Tactics: "Deposit now or lose spot!" Scam.
No Contract: Verbal only? Run.

Work with experienced brokers. Most carriers won't touch public jobs. Payment risks. Higher rates. Brokers buffer that. Good ones build carrier trust for your benefit.

Why Brokers Beat Direct Carrier Deals

Carriers grind highways. Dangerous enough. They skip customer hassles. Smart ones use brokers like us.

You couldn't reach most anyway. Broker relationships unlock fleets. We negotiate rates. Ensure care.

Texas to California? Relocating to Florida from Texas? We handle. Multi-car for families? Non-running vehicles? Pros know.

Quick Checklist Before Deposit

Print this. Tick off.

[ ] FMCSA verified?
[ ] Insurance certificates?
[ ] All-in quote, no fees?
[ ] Secure deposit method?
[ ] VIN scan required?
[ ] 72-hour pickup?
[ ] Cancellation terms clear?
[ ] Carrier vetted?

All yes? Proceed.

The Safe Choice: AMG Transport Co.

Tired of risks? AMG makes it simple. As your Texas auto transport broker nationwide, we check every box. VIN scans via app. Stripe deposits. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickups. Honest quotes, no hidden fees.

Door pick-up and delivery car transport service. Best for out-of-state moves. Luxury? Enclosed. Classics? Protected. SUVs, sedans, exotics—we ship safe.

Don't gamble. Get your free quote today. Sleep easy.

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