First Time Shipper Discount

$25 Off Your First Shipment

Promotion terms can change. Ask for the current code and confirm first-time eligibility, eligible services, route exclusions, expiration, usage limit, and combination rules.

How to ask: Mention the first-time promotion when you request a quote or call (469) 942-5444. Rely on it only when the discount appears in the written quote.

Ask who owns the order, the published contact hours, and the escalation path if that person is unavailable.

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 request an estimate — Use the cost calculator or call (469) 942-5444. The route-specific estimate is based on the disclosed vehicle, addresses, dates, operability, requested service, and current carrier availability. Changed details may require a written price change that you accept.
2. You review an estimated window — Confirm pickup and transit estimates, payment, cancellation, access, and contact terms in writing. Exact dates remain subject to carrier acceptance and operating conditions.
3. The carrier picks up your car — Meet at a safe, legal location. Inspect the vehicle with the driver, record its condition on the Bill of Lading, take your own photos, and follow the assigned carrier's key and preparation instructions.
4. Your car is in transit — Use the agreed update channel and confirm published contact hours and an escalation path before pickup.
5. You inspect at delivery — Compare the vehicle with the pickup Bill of Lading, note visible discrepancies before signing, and follow the written payment and claim terms.

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

What Determines a First-Time Shipping Estimate?

There is no dependable mileage-only first-time price or transit schedule. Request a current open-transport estimate and confirm any promotion in writing.

Enclosed transport reduces exposure to weather and road debris, but equipment availability and the price difference are route-specific.

Bold is the broker, not the insurer; any cargo coverage comes from the assigned motor carrier's policy, with policy-specific limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claim rules. Request a route-specific estimate →

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?

Interstate auto transport is federally regulated, but FMCSA does not insure a shipment. Review the assigned carrier's current authority and available insurance documents. Any cargo coverage comes from that carrier's private policy, with policy-specific limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claim rules; inspect and photograph the vehicle at pickup and delivery.

How long does it take?

Pickup and transit estimates depend on route, carrier acceptance, earlier stops, traffic, weather, and operating conditions. Ask for current windows and the update process in writing.

What about insurance?

Bold is the broker, not the insurer; any cargo coverage comes from the policy of the assigned motor carrier, with policy-specific limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claim rules. The driver documents the condition of your vehicle at pickup and again at delivery. If damage occurs, the assigned carrier policy determines coverage.

Can I put stuff in my car?

The safest default is to remove personal property. If the assigned carrier permits limited items, get its quantity, placement, weight, inspection, and coverage rules in writing; cargo policies commonly exclude personal property.

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

Confirm the assigned carrier's preparation instructions before pickup and keep a copy with the order.

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:

• Named order contact — Confirm who owns the order, published contact hours, and the escalation path if that person is unavailable.
• assigned-carrier insurance-document review — Any cargo coverage is controlled by the assigned motor carrier policy; limits, deductibles, exclusions, and claim rules vary. If you're nervous about shipping for the first time, reviewing the assigned carrier policy before pickup helps.
• Written estimate assumptions — Confirm the vehicle, route, dates, equipment, payment, cancellation, and any later accepted changes in writing.
• Door-to-door coordination — Pickup and delivery are arranged as close to each address as is safe and legal; a nearby accessible meeting point may be required.
• Verifiable records — Check current broker authority, the assigned carrier's records, and current third-party review profiles directly.

Verify current broker records using USDOT 3775668 and MC-1349681; do not rely on a cached rating.

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

These five checks help first-time shippers avoid common booking, inspection, and delivery problems:

1. Choosing the cheapest quote without checking the company's FMCSA license.
   A low estimate may omit assumptions or may not reflect current carrier acceptance. Before booking, compare written terms, verify the broker's authority, and then verify the assigned motor carrier's identity, operating status, and insurance documents. Bold Auto Transport uses USDOT 3775668 and MC-1349681; any cargo coverage comes from the assigned carrier's policy, not Bold.
2. Not taking photos before pickup.
   The driver records condition at pickup, and your own date-stamped photos can provide additional evidence. Photograph all sides, the roof, wheels, glass, interior, and existing damage before loading; photos support a claim but do not determine coverage by themselves.
3. Leaving personal items in the car and expecting them to be insured.
   The safest default is to remove personal property. If the assigned carrier permits limited items, get its quantity, placement, weight, inspection, and coverage rules in writing; cargo policies commonly exclude personal property. For more context, read our car shipping insurance guide.
4. Expecting same-day or next-day pickup.
   Auto transport requires carrier acceptance and route planning. Ask for a current estimated pickup window, avoid relying on an exact unconfirmed date, and keep a backup contact. More notice can help the search but does not guarantee a tighter window or lower price. See how long does it take to ship a car.
5. Panicking when you don't hear from the carrier for a day.
   Update frequency varies with the carrier and route. Confirm the planned channel, published support hours, and escalation path before pickup; call (469) 942-5444 during current contact hours if an agreed update is overdue.

These checks reduce avoidable uncertainty, but pickup, transit, delivery, and cargo claims remain subject to the written order, carrier acceptance, operating conditions, and assigned-carrier policy.