Car Shipping Insurance Guide
Last updated: July 2026
The assigned motor carrier—not the broker—physically transports your vehicle and provides any cargo coverage that applies. Coverage is controlled by that carrier's policy, including its limits, deductible, exclusions, and claim rules. This guide explains how to verify the carrier, read a certificate of insurance, document vehicle condition, and protect a valid claim without confusing cargo coverage with FMCSA public-liability requirements.
Is My Car Insured During Shipping?
An assigned carrier's cargo policy may cover direct, carrier-caused damage while the vehicle is in that carrier's custody. It is not accurate to promise that every kind of loss is automatically or fully covered. The policy language, declared limits, deductible, exclusions, and evidence determine the result.
FMCSA requires most interstate property carriers operating vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more to maintain at least $750,000 of public-liability coverage. FMCSA lists a $0 federal cargo-insurance filing requirement for ordinary non-household-goods property carriers. See the current FMCSA insurance filing table.
Bold Auto Transport is the licensed broker. We require dispatched carriers to provide carrier insurance information and can make the assigned carrier's certificate available. Bold may help exchange documents and communications if a claim arises, but Bold is not the carrier's insurer and does not decide coverage.
Before pickup, request the assigned carrier's certificate of insurance (COI). Confirm the insured name and MC/USDOT identity, policy dates, cargo limit, per-vehicle or sublimits, deductible, exclusions, and insurer or agent contact.
Types of Auto Transport Insurance
There are three types of insurance that may apply when you ship a vehicle. Understanding the difference between them helps you know exactly where you stand.
1. Motor-Carrier Public Liability (FMCSA Required)
For most interstate, non-hazardous property carriers operating vehicles of 10,001 pounds or more, FMCSA requires at least $750,000 in bodily-injury and property-damage public liability. This protects against liability arising from operation of the truck; it is not a promise of $750,000 in cargo coverage for your car.
Use the carrier's USDOT or MC number to check authority and out-of-service status in FMCSA SAFER. Then verify cargo coverage separately through the carrier's COI.
2. The Assigned Carrier's Cargo Policy
Cargo coverage, when provided, comes from the motor carrier assigned to your shipment. Ask for the actual COI and confirm:
- Named insured — It must match the carrier taking custody of the vehicle
- Policy dates — Coverage must be active for the scheduled pickup and transit window
- Cargo limits and sublimits — Check the per-occurrence and per-vehicle amounts against your vehicle's value
- Deductible and exclusions — Ask what applies to your vehicle, trailer type, weather, loading, and unattended storage
- Insurer contact — Verify questions with the listed agent or insurer rather than relying on a screenshot alone
3. Your Personal Auto Policy (Policy-Specific)
A personal auto policy may cover some transport losses, exclude them, or treat the carrier's coverage as primary. Comprehensive coverage alone does not answer the question.
Ask your insurer in writing whether your policy applies while the vehicle is in a third-party carrier's custody, what deductible applies, and whether filing a carrier claim first is required.
What Can Carrier Cargo Insurance Cover?
The carrier's actual policy controls. A valid claim generally requires direct physical loss or damage that occurred while the vehicle was in the assigned carrier's custody and for which the carrier is responsible. Depending on the policy, examples may include:
Covered
- Dents or body damage caused by carrier equipment or another vehicle on the trailer
- Scratches or paint damage caused by negligent loading, securing, shifting, or unloading
- Broken glass or mirrors when the event is covered and not excluded by the policy
- Loading and unloading damage caused while the carrier has custody of the vehicle
- Other direct physical damage only when the policy language and evidence support coverage
What Is NOT Covered?
Exclusions vary, so read the applicable policy or ask the insurer. Common problem areas include:
Not Covered
- Personal items inside the vehicle — Carrier insurance covers the vehicle itself, never its contents. If you leave a laptop, golf clubs, or boxes of belongings inside and they are damaged or go missing, you will not be reimbursed
- Pre-existing damage — Any damage that existed before the vehicle was loaded onto the carrier, as documented on the Bill of Lading at pickup
- Damage not noted on the Bill of Lading — If you do not inspect and document damage at delivery before signing off, it becomes extremely difficult to file a successful claim
- Normal wear during transport — Minor dust accumulation, light road grime, or bug residue on the vehicle exterior during an open transport shipment
- Aftermarket accessories improperly secured — Removable racks, spoilers, antennas, or other accessories that were not removed or properly fastened before transport
The single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is inspect the vehicle carefully at delivery and note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it. Once you sign a clean BOL, filing a claim becomes significantly harder.
Limits, Deductibles, and Proof of Coverage
A COI summarizes a policy; it does not expand coverage or guarantee payment. The policy itself controls. A deductible is the amount assigned to the insured or claim before the insurer pays, and it can vary by carrier, policy, equipment, and event.
Use this checklist before pickup, especially for a luxury, classic, exotic, modified, or unusually valuable vehicle:
| Verify | Why It Matters | Best Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier identity | Coverage must belong to the carrier taking custody | Legal name, USDOT/MC, dispatch sheet, COI |
| Effective dates | An expired or future policy does not protect the trip | COI plus confirmation from insurer/agent |
| Cargo limit | A per-vehicle sublimit can be lower than the headline limit | Policy declarations and endorsements |
| Deductible | The amount and responsible party can affect a small claim | Written answer from insurer/agent |
| Exclusions | Weather, mechanical failure, personal items, and unattended storage may be treated differently | Policy language and endorsements |
Do not accept “fully insured” as the complete answer. Match the assigned carrier to the COI and ask for the terms that matter to your specific vehicle and route.
How to File a Claim if Your Vehicle Is Damaged
Transport damage is rare, but it can happen. If your vehicle arrives with new damage, here is the exact process to follow:
Before signing the delivery BOL, write a clear description of every piece of new damage directly on the document. Be specific: "3-inch scratch on driver door" is better than "scratch on side." Do not sign a clean BOL if there is new damage.
Photograph every area of new damage from multiple angles with good lighting. Include wide shots showing the damage location on the vehicle and close-up shots showing the damage detail. Your phone's timestamp will help establish when the photos were taken.
Call or email with the signed BOL, photos, and a written description. The governing documents require a written claim with supporting records within 15 days; reporting at delivery is safer because an insurer or carrier may impose a shorter notice requirement.
Bold may help exchange carrier, insurance, and shipment records, but the assigned carrier and its insurer handle and decide the cargo claim. Keep copies of every submission and response.
Use a qualified repair facility and preserve damaged parts when practical. The insurer may inspect the vehicle or request another estimate. Payment, deductible, and covered amount depend on the policy and claim decision.
The key to a smooth claim is documentation. Your pickup photos, the pickup BOL, the delivery BOL with damage notes, and your delivery photos create an undeniable chain of evidence. This is why we emphasize photo documentation at every stage.
How to Protect Your Vehicle During Shipping
Insurance is your financial safety net, but prevention is always better than a claim. Here is what you should do to minimize risk and protect your vehicle throughout the shipping process:
- Take timestamped photos before pickup — Photograph every angle of your vehicle including close-ups of any existing damage. These serve as your baseline comparison at delivery. See our preparation checklist for the full photo guide.
- Document existing damage on the pickup BOL — Walk around the vehicle with the driver and make sure every existing scratch, dent, and mark is noted on the Bill of Lading. If a mark exists and it is not on the BOL, it could be mistaken for new transit damage.
- Be present at both pickup and delivery — Or have someone you trust there on your behalf. The inspection process is the most important moment in the entire shipment. Rushing through it or not being there creates risk.
- Review the BOL carefully before signing — At delivery, compare the vehicle's condition to what was documented at pickup. Look at every panel, the roof, wheels, mirrors, and glass. Take your time. The driver will wait.
- Remove loose accessories — Bike racks, removable spoilers, aftermarket antennas, and toll transponders should be taken off before transport. Loose items can move, scratch surfaces, or get damaged themselves.
- Choose enclosed transport for high-value vehicles — If your car is worth over $50,000 or has special sentimental value, enclosed auto transport provides complete protection from weather, road debris, and UV exposure.
Common Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
These are the mistakes we see most often from customers who ship with other companies and then contact Bold after a bad experience:
- Assuming what either policy covers — Ask both the carrier's insurer and your personal insurer. Coverage and which policy is primary are policy-specific.
- Not verifying the deductible and sublimits — A headline cargo limit may include a lower per-vehicle limit or exclusions. Get the applicable terms in writing.
- Signing a clean BOL when damage exists — Once you sign the delivery BOL without noting damage, the carrier can argue the damage was pre-existing. Always inspect before signing.
- Waiting too long to report — Notify everyone at delivery and follow the shortest deadline in the BOL, agreement, and policy. A delay can weaken or defeat an otherwise valid claim.
- Not taking photos — Without before-and-after photos, your claim relies entirely on the BOL documentation. Photos provide undeniable evidence that strengthens your position.
- Leaving valuable items in the car — Personal belongings are not covered. Ever. Take everything out before the driver arrives.
How to Verify a Carrier's Insurance
If you are shipping with any company, you have the right to verify that the carrier transporting your vehicle is properly insured. Here is how:
- Ask for the carrier's MC number — Every licensed carrier has a Motor Carrier (MC) number issued by the FMCSA
- Search FMCSA SAFER — Enter the USDOT number to confirm the legal name, entity type, USDOT status, operating authority, and out-of-service information
- Do not treat SAFER as a cargo-policy lookup — FMCSA does not require ordinary property carriers to file cargo coverage, so SAFER does not establish your assigned carrier's cargo limits, deductible, or exclusions
- Request a certificate of insurance (COI) — Match the insured name to the assigned carrier and review the insurer, policy number, effective dates, cargo limit, and listed agent
- Verify material questions with the insurer or agent — A COI is evidence of stated coverage on its issue date, not the policy itself and not a guarantee that a specific loss is covered
After a carrier is assigned, ask your Bold coordinator for the carrier identity and available insurance certificate. Review it before releasing the vehicle, especially when the vehicle's value approaches a stated cargo limit or sublimit.
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Request the assigned carrier's identity and available COI, review the policy details that matter, and document your vehicle at both ends.
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