When moving a car—be it an ordinary car, a luxury one, or an antique collector's piece—most people are concerned about price, pickup times, and delivery times. But there is one aspect of car transport that matters just as much: car shipping insurance.
At Vehicle Transport Hub, we believe our customers are entitled to transparency, peace of mind, and complete protection when they place their vehicles in our hands. That's the reason why knowing what car shipping insurance is, how it protects you, and why it's essential is crucial before arranging your transport.
In this blog, we will demystify everything about auto transport insurance and how it protects your vehicle during transit.
What Is Car Shipping Insurance?
Car shipping insurance, also known as auto transport insurance, is insurance coverage provided by the shipping carrier for your car while it's in transit. Similar to the conventional auto insurance that protects you on the road, car shipping insurance protects your vehicle while in transit with a third-party carrier.
Every licensed auto transport carrier in the U.S. is required by law to carry a minimum level of liability and cargo insurance. This coverage ensures you're not left to pay for repairs if your vehicle is damaged during shipping. At Vehicle Transport Hub, all of our carriers are fully insured and vetted for compliance with industry regulations.
What's Typically Covered In Car Shipping Insurance?
Car transport insurance usually insures the following types of damage that can occur in the process of transportation:
1. Damage to Exterior
- Scratches
- Dents
- Paint chips
- Cracked windows or mirrors
This is the most common type of coverage and comes with most standard policies.
2. Structural Damage
Less common structural damage (to the frame or chassis, for instance) may be insured depending on the policy and the type of transport (open or enclosed).
3. Theft or Vandalism
If your vehicle is stolen or damaged while it's in the custody of the shipping company, insurance coverage can help offset the losses.
4. Accidents In Transit
In case an accident occurs while your vehicle is in transit by the transport trailer, damages to your car are usually covered by the carrier cargo insurance.
What's Not Covered In Car Shipping Insurance?
It is also important to note what car shipping insurance generally won't cover:
- Personal items inside the vehicle: These aren't covered, so you must remove all personal items ahead of shipping.
- Pre-existing damage: Any scratches, dents, or issues that already took place at the point of transport won't be covered.
- Mechanical issues: Auto shipping insurance generally covers exterior, but not interior, components.
- Acts of God: Flooding or an earthquake may not be covered in standard policies unless additional coverage is purchased.
At Vehicle Transport Hub, we walk all of our clients through policy data and inspection so you never get any surprises.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport Coverage
The type of transport you employ open or enclosed can influence how effectively your car is covered.
- Open Transport: Offers minimum coverage, yet your automobile is exposed to the weather and road debris.
- Enclosed Transport: Offers additional protection and typically offers greater insurance coverage limits—ideal for luxury or classic cars.
We thoroughly recommend enclosed transportation for valuable vehicles and have carriers with extra insurance coverage to boot.
Why Is Car Shipping Insurance Important?
This is why proper coverage is not a choice yet vital:
1. Protects Your Investment
Vehicles, primarily classic, luxury, or exotic vehicles, are significant investments. Even minor damage might run hundreds or thousands to repair.
2. Offers Peace of Mind
Having your car insured assures you that you can move on to other things regarding your move or sale.
3. Reduces Financial Risk
Things do not go wrong often, but when they do, insurance covers you in case something goes wrong that you have no control over.
4. Establishes Trust with Your Transport Partner
An honest company will be willing to discuss insurance coverage. If a company does not want to talk about it, watch out.
What to Do Before Shipping?
So that you're protected, do the following essential things:
- Request Proof of Insurance: Receive documents from the carrier.
- Understand Coverage Limits: Find out how much the insurance can pay at most.
- Scrutinize Your Vehicle: Take sharp, high-definition photos before pickup.
- Read the Bill of Lading (BOL): This document records your car's condition before and after shipment.
- Request Additional Insurance: If your car is highly costly, consider purchasing additional coverage.
We have total transparency through the booking process and offer comprehensive inspections both when our carriers pick up your vehicle and when they deliver it.
Why Ship with Vehicle Transport Hub?
Shipping a car safely and securely isn't a one-trick pony. Neither is insurance—it's a guarantee. With Vehicle Transport Hub, we live up to that promise.
How we're different:
- Fully insured and licensed trucking companies
- No-charge insurance and consulting explanations
- Thorough inspections with picture documentation
- Nationwide open and enclosed shipping is available.
- We make shipping simple, worry-free, predictable, and 100% professional.
Protect Your Vehicle the Right Way
Think of car-shipping insurance as your safety net—and we make sure it’s firmly in place. Whether you’re moving a vehicle across state lines or purchasing one online, Vehicle Transport Hub is the experienced, fully insured partner you can trust. Get a free quote at https://VehicleTransportHub.com
