Coverage & Claims · USDOT 7557228
Is My Car Insured During Transport?
What cargo insurance actually covers, the limits that apply, why the bill of lading decides every claim, and how we handle it if something goes wrong.
Quick answer
Yes. Your vehicle is covered by the assigned carrier's cargo insurance policy while it is in transit, with coverage up to $1,000,000 through the vetted carriers we assign. Before a vehicle is loaded we confirm that the carrier's operating authority and cargo policy are active, and the limit that applies to your specific load is confirmed in writing before pickup. You do not need to buy separate transport insurance.
What the cargo policy covers
Cargo insurance covers damage that happens while your vehicle is in the carrier's care: impact or scrape damage during loading and unloading, damage from how the vehicle was secured, and damage sustained in transit.
It does not cover pre-existing damage — which is exactly why the pickup inspection matters. It does not cover mechanical or electrical failure unrelated to transport, normal wear, or acts of nature no carrier controls. Personal belongings left inside the vehicle are generally excluded.
Anyone who tells you a car is 'fully insured' without naming a limit and whose policy it is has not answered the question. Ask for the figure and get it in writing.
The bill of lading is your protection
The bill of lading is the inspection report and transport contract signed twice: once at pickup, once at delivery. Both copies record the vehicle's condition in notes and photos, and the difference between them is what a damage claim rests on.
Walk the vehicle with the driver at pickup. Photograph every panel, the wheels, the roof and the interior in daylight, and make sure any existing chip or scratch is written down. Do the same at delivery before you sign anything.
If you notice new damage at delivery, note it on the delivery bill of lading before signing, photograph it, and tell us the same day. Signing a clean report and raising damage days later makes a claim far harder to support.
How we handle a claim
The carrier's cargo policy pays the claim, but we file it and push it. As the broker we hold the carrier's insurance certificate, the signed inspection reports from both ends, and the dispatch record — the documentation an adjuster needs.
Your dispatcher stays on it until it is resolved. That is the practical difference between a broker who vets carriers and manages loads, and a listing site that hands your car to whoever bids.
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Transport insurance FAQ
Is my car insured while it is being transported?
Yes. The assigned carrier's cargo policy covers your vehicle in transit, with coverage up to $1,000,000 through the vetted carriers we assign. We verify each carrier's active authority and cargo insurance before your vehicle is loaded, and confirm the coverage that applies to your load in writing before pickup.
What does car transport insurance actually cover?
Damage that occurs while the vehicle is in the carrier's care — for example impact damage during loading, securing or transit. It does not cover pre-existing damage, mechanical failure unrelated to transport, or acts of nature that no carrier controls. Personal items left inside are generally not covered.
Do I need to use my own auto insurance to ship a car?
No, the carrier's cargo policy is the primary coverage in transit. Some owners keep their own policy active anyway for the period, which is a reasonable precaution — check with your insurer.
What is the bill of lading and why does it matter?
It is the inspection report and contract signed at pickup and again at delivery. Both copies record the vehicle's condition with notes and photos. It is the single most important document in any damage claim, so walk the car with the driver and photograph everything before you sign.
How does a damage claim work?
Note anything new on the delivery bill of lading before signing, photograph it, and tell us the same day. We file against the carrier's cargo policy and stay involved until it is resolved. Signing a clean bill of lading and reporting damage days later makes a claim much harder to support.
Can I leave personal items in the car?
A small amount in the trunk is usually tolerated, but it is not covered by cargo insurance and added weight can affect the load. Anything valuable, and anything you cannot afford to lose, should travel with you.