First Time Shipper Discount

$25 Off Your First Shipment

If you've never shipped a car with Bold Auto Transport, you get $25 off your first booking. Any distance. Any vehicle. Open or enclosed transport.

How to claim it: Mention it's your first time when you request a quote or call (469) 942-5444. No coupon code, no hoops. The $25 comes right off your total.

We know the first time feels like a big deal. It is. That's why we pair every first-time shipper with a dedicated coordinator who walks you through everything, start to finish.

New to Car Shipping? Here's What to Expect

If you've never done this before, the whole idea of putting your car on a truck and sending it across the country can feel a little strange. Here's exactly how it works, step by step:

1. You get a quote — Use the cost calculator for an instant estimate or call (469) 942-5444. Tell us where the car is, where it needs to go, what kind of vehicle it is, and when you want it picked up. You get a price. That price is the price — no surprises later.
2. You book a date — Your coordinator confirms pickup and delivery details. They explain what to expect, how to prepare the car, and what the driver will need from you. This is your single point of contact for the whole shipment.
3. The driver picks up your car — A carrier truck arrives at your address on the scheduled day. The driver walks around the vehicle with you, notes any existing dents or scratches on a condition report (called a Bill of Lading), and loads the car onto the trailer. You hand over one key. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes.
4. Your car is in transit — The carrier drives your car (along with other vehicles on the same truck) to the destination. Your coordinator sends you updates so you know where the car is and when to expect delivery.
5. The driver delivers your car — The carrier arrives at the delivery address. You (or your designee) do another walk-around with the driver, compare the car to the original condition report, sign the paperwork, and get your key back. Done.

That's the whole process. For a deeper look, visit our how it works page.

First-Time Shipper Prices (After $25 Discount)

Here's what first-time shippers pay after the discount. These are averages for open transport, which is what about 85% of customers choose:

Got a luxury car, classic, or something worth over $50,000? Enclosed transport gives you full weather and debris protection for about 30–40% more.

Every price includes door-to-door service, $0 deductible insurance, and your dedicated coordinator. No hidden fees. Get your exact price →

Questions Every First-Time Shipper Asks

If you've never shipped a car before, you probably have the same questions everyone asks the first time. Here are the honest answers:

Is it safe?

Yes. Auto transport is a mature, regulated industry. Carriers are licensed, insured, and inspected by the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Your car rides on a purpose-built trailer alongside other vehicles. Damage is rare — but if anything does happen, every Bold shipment includes full coverage cargo insurance with a $0 deductible. You pay nothing out of pocket.

How long does it take?

It depends on distance. Under 500 miles is 3–7 business days. 500–2,500 miles is 7–10 days. Cross-country is 10–14 days. These are transit times after the car is picked up. Your coordinator gives you a delivery window and sends updates along the way.

What about insurance?

Every Bold Auto Transport shipment includes full coverage cargo insurance with a $0 deductible. No extra charge. The driver documents the condition of your vehicle at pickup and again at delivery. If anything happens between those two points, you're covered. Most competitors either charge extra for full coverage or include a $250–$500 deductible.

Can I put stuff in my car?

You can leave up to 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk. Everything must stay below the window line. This is good for clothes, shoes, or bedding — not fragile items or electronics. Personal belongings aren't covered by the carrier's insurance, so leave anything valuable out.

What do I need to do before pickup?

• Take photos of your car from all angles (document existing scratches or dents)
• Remove personal items from the front and back seats
• Clear out the glove box (registration, insurance card, loose items)
• Remove toll transponders, dash cams, and parking passes
• Reduce fuel to about a quarter tank
• Disable the car alarm
• Leave one key for the driver

Your coordinator walks you through all of this before pickup day. You won't be guessing.

Why First-Time Shippers Choose Bold

When you don't know what to expect, the company you choose matters more than usual. Here's why people shipping for the first time trust Bold:

• A coordinator who walks you through everything — Your dedicated coordinator explains the process, answers your questions, and stays with you from booking to delivery. One person, one phone number. They don't hand you off to someone else.
• $0 deductible insurance included — Full coverage cargo insurance on every shipment at no extra cost. If you're nervous about shipping for the first time, knowing your car is fully covered helps. Most competitors charge extra or include $250–$500 deductibles.
• Transparent pricing — no surprises — When you've never done this before, the last thing you need is hidden fees showing up at delivery. The quote is the price. Period.
• Door-to-door service — The carrier comes to you for pickup and delivers to the exact address. No terminals, no extra driving, no figuring out logistics you've never dealt with before.
• 500+ reviews, 4.7 stars — Read what other customers say. Most first-time shippers mention in their review how easy the process was and how their coordinator made it simple.

BBB A+ rated. USDOT #3775668.

Common First-Time Shipping Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

First-time shippers make the same handful of mistakes over and over. We have seen every one of them. Here are the five that come up most — and exactly how to sidestep each one:

1. Choosing the cheapest quote without checking the company's FMCSA license.
   The lowest bid often comes from a broker who will hand your car off to an unknown carrier with no accountability. Some of these outfits aren't even properly licensed. Before you book with anyone, verify their USDOT number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Look for active operating authority and insurance on file. Bold Auto Transport is USDOT #3775668 — fully licensed, fully insured, easy to verify.
2. Not taking photos before pickup.
   The driver does a condition inspection at pickup, but you should have your own record too. Take timestamped photos of every angle — front, back, both sides, roof, wheels, and any existing scratches or dents. Do it 30 minutes before the carrier arrives. If there's ever a dispute about pre-existing damage, your photos settle it instantly.
3. Leaving personal items in the car and expecting them to be insured.
   You can leave up to 100 pounds of belongings in the trunk, below the window line. That part is fine. The mistake is assuming the carrier's insurance covers those items. It does not. Carrier insurance covers the vehicle itself — the body, frame, glass, and mechanical components. Your laptop bag, winter coat, or box of kitchen supplies? Not covered. Leave anything valuable out of the car. For the full breakdown, read our car shipping insurance guide.
4. Expecting same-day or next-day pickup.
   Auto transport is not like ordering a rideshare. Standard pickup windows are 1–5 business days after your first available date. The carrier needs to route your vehicle along with others on the same truck, and that takes scheduling. Booking earlier gives you a tighter window. Booking last-minute means wider windows and sometimes higher prices. For a full timeline breakdown, see how long does it take to ship a car.
5. Panicking when you don't hear from the carrier for a day.
   Once your car is on the road, the driver is focused on driving. There may be stretches of 12–24 hours where there is no new update. That is normal. Your Bold coordinator sends proactive updates during transit and will reach out if anything changes. If you ever want a status check between updates, call (469) 942-5444 anytime. That is what your coordinator is there for.

Skip these five mistakes and your first shipment will go exactly the way it should — smooth, predictable, and stress-free.