Every vehicle we move travels under the carrier’s cargo insurance, verified before pickup. Here’s exactly what car shipping insurance covers, how much coverage you get, and how to file a claim, in plain English.
Get Your Instant Price →When you ship a car with US Car Mover, it is insured the entire way. Your vehicle moves with a federally licensed, FMCSA-registered carrier whose cargo insurance covers your car from pickup to delivery, and we verify that coverage is active before loading. The insurance is included in your quote, with nothing extra to buy.
Want your number now? Get an instant price or call (713) 766-6633, every quote includes fully insured transport.
Car shipping insurance is the cargo insurance that every licensed auto-transport carrier is required to carry under federal (FMCSA) rules. It protects your vehicle against damage that occurs while it is in the carrier’s custody, during loading, transit and unloading. With US Car Mover this coverage is included in your all-in price, and we confirm each carrier’s active certificate of insurance before your car is picked up.
| Covered by carrier cargo insurance | Not covered (typical) |
|---|---|
| Damage from loading or unloading the vehicle | Pre-existing damage noted before pickup |
| Road debris thrown by the carrier itself | Personal items or cargo left inside the car |
| Strap, chain or equipment failure | Mechanical wear or fluid leaks unrelated to handling |
| A handling or transport accident | Some acts of nature (check the specific policy) |
| Damage while in the carrier’s custody | Damage you cannot document at delivery |
This is a general guide. Exact terms vary by carrier policy, which is why we verify and can share the certificate of insurance for your assigned carrier on request.
Coverage limits depend on the trailer type. Open carriers typically carry $100,000 to $250,000 in cargo insurance shared across the cars on the trailer. Enclosed carriers usually carry much higher limits, often $250,000 to $1,000,000 or more, because they move luxury, classic and exotic vehicles. For a high-value car, ask us about supplemental coverage so your vehicle’s full value is protected.
Most carriers and brokers describe cargo insurance as federally mandated. That is not accurate, and knowing the difference tells you which questions are worth asking.
What the FMCSA does require. Every for-hire interstate motor carrier running vehicles over 10,001 pounds must carry a minimum of $750,000 in public liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage) under 49 CFR 387.9, and must keep proof of it on file with the FMCSA. In practice, almost every reputable car hauler carries $1,000,000, because brokers and shippers insist on it. That coverage protects other people and property in an accident, not the car on the trailer.
What the FMCSA does not require. Cargo insurance is not federally mandated for auto transport. The federal cargo minimums ($5,000 per vehicle, $10,000 per occurrence) apply only to household-goods movers, and auto transport is classified as general freight. So the coverage that actually pays if your car is damaged is contractual, not statutory. It exists because brokers refuse to book carriers without it, not because a regulation forces it.
What that means for you. A carrier can be fully legal, fully authorized, and still carry little or no cargo coverage. This is exactly why the verification step below matters, and why we confirm active cargo coverage on every carrier before your vehicle is loaded rather than taking the authority number as proof.
Brokers have their own requirement. Licensed property brokers must hold a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund (FMCSA form BMC-84 or BMC-85). That bond is financial protection on the brokering side of the transaction; it is not vehicle damage coverage. Any company that presents its broker bond as though it insures your car is blurring two very different things.
You never have to take a transport company’s word for its coverage. The federal record is public and free, and checking it takes about two minutes:
We run these checks on every carrier before dispatch, and we will send you the assigned carrier’s certificate of insurance on request, before the truck arrives. If you would rather learn the whole vetting routine, our guide on how to verify an auto transport company is licensed walks through it step by step, and how to avoid car shipping scams covers the red flags that usually show up first.
Walk around the car before you sign. Compare it to the pickup inspection on your Bill of Lading.
Photograph any new damage in good light and have the driver note it on the delivery report.
Contact US Car Mover the same day. We open the claim against the carrier’s cargo insurance for you.
We coordinate with the carrier and insurer and stay on it until your claim is resolved.
No. The carrier’s cargo insurance is primary while your vehicle is on the truck, so your shipment is covered even if you do nothing. That said, many owners keep their personal comprehensive policy active during the move as an extra backstop, and it costs nothing to leave it in place. If your car is especially valuable, comprehensive coverage plus our supplemental option gives you full peace of mind.
The single best way to avoid a claim is to reduce risk up front: choose enclosed transport for high-value cars, remove personal items, and do a careful, photo-documented inspection at pickup. New to shipping? Our step-by-step guide and cost guide walk through the whole process, and you can also learn how to spot car-shipping scams.
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