What Are a Car Mover’s Responsibilities? Full Breakdown

A car mover's responsibilities go well beyond driving a car from point A to point B. A reputable car mover is licensed and registered, carries insurance, explains its services and fees up front, puts the agreement in writing, and documents your car's condition at pickup and delivery.

Most people think a car transport service company's only job is to move a vehicle from point A to point B. The truth is that car movers are expected to do much more. Here are their most important responsibilities and what you should expect from their services.

One thing to know first: the company you book may be a broker, which arranges the shipment, or a carrier, which owns the truck and drives it. Ship a Car Direct is a licensed and bonded transportation brokerage, and we arrange your shipment with a vetted carrier. Our post on how a car shipping broker works explains the difference, and the responsibilities below apply to the company you book and the carrier that hauls your car.

License and Registration

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, registers the companies that move cars across state lines, both carriers and brokers. A carrier needs a USDOT number. A broker needs broker authority, which FMCSA issues as an MC number.

Those numbers let you verify the company. Ask for the carrier's USDOT number or the broker's MC number, then look it up on the FMCSA website. A properly registered company is more likely to offer quality service. Our guide to what to ask a car shipping company covers how to check.

Insurance

All car carriers are expected to carry insurance. Two of the most common types are cargo insurance and liability insurance. Cargo insurance protects the vehicles on the truck, and liability insurance covers damage caused by the carrier's own negligence, such as driver error.

Department of Transportation rules require certain insurance, so ask what coverage the carrier holds. You can also request a copy of the carrier's operating authority and insurance certificate. At Ship a Car Direct, every carrier we select must maintain the requisite insurance, and the carrier's insurance is always primary. Our guide to insurance during car shipment explains how coverage works.

Clear Information Up Front

All car movers should give you clear, complete information about the extent and limits of their services, the types of transport they offer, delivery schedules, costs, charges, fees, and more. That lets you pick the service that fits your needs.

With the right information, you can make informed decisions and reduce the chance of misunderstandings. Delivery dates are normally estimates, so a good mover will say so. See our list of extra charges to expect in car shipping for the fees to ask about.

A Formal Agreement

A written agreement should cover every transaction with a car mover. It should spell out the type of service, the terms and conditions, the fees, and any special services you need.

At Ship a Car Direct, our terms and conditions cover each charge. The carrier's bill of lading is a separate document that you sign at pickup and delivery.

Inspecting the Car and Completing the Bill of Lading

When the carrier picks up your car, it should inspect it and give you a report, also called the bill of lading. You should not release your car to a carrier without a vehicle inspection report.

You or your agent and the carrier both sign the initial report. At delivery, you inspect the car one last time, note any damage on the final report, and both sign it. Failing to note damage releases the carrier from liability and could prevent you from processing a damage claim.

Moving Vehicles That Don’t Run

Some vehicles don't run properly or are inoperable. A non-operational car must still roll, brake, and steer, and you need to note it as non-operational on your order so the carrier can bring equipment to load it. A non-operational vehicle carries a $150 fee, so tell the company up front.

Communication and Scheduling

Once a carrier is assigned, you should receive the carrier's name, its direct business phone number, and estimated dates. The driver typically calls the afternoon or evening before pickup and delivery. A pickup date you request is a request, not a guarantee, and carriers give dates as projections.

A good company stays involved from pickup to delivery. At Ship a Car Direct, our team monitors each shipment and you have one point of contact throughout.

What Your Part of the Job Looks Like

Car movers can only do their part if you do yours. Before pickup:

• Disarm any alarm system and provide remotes if needed.
• Remove or retract loose and protruding accessories, like racks and spoilers.
• Empty the car of contents, because carriers are not licensed to move household goods.
• Have the car ready to release on the date you gave when placing your order.
• Be there to sign the bill of lading, or name an agent to sign for you.
• Pay the carrier's balance on or before delivery. The carrier accepts cash or a cashier's check when you pay the driver directly.

When Something Goes Wrong

The carrier's insurance pays first. In rare cases where a carrier refuses to pay, or there are delays or disputes, our Damage Free Guarantee kicks in:

• Need to use your own insurance? We'll reimburse your deductible, up to $500.
• Repair cost $500 or less? We'll cover it directly—no need to involve your insurance at all.