Plenty of what people believe about shipping a car is wrong, and some of it costs money. Here are the six myths we hear most, and the truth behind each.
Myth 1: The carrier's insurance fully covers your car
Truth: it covers what the carrier is responsible for.
Carrier cargo insurance pays for damage caused by the carrier's negligence: an accident, a car that was not secured properly. It does not cover what the carrier is not responsible for, such as hail, tornadoes, or debris kicked up from the road.
Gap coverage fills that hole. It pays toward your personal deductible if the carrier's insurer denies a claim. Ask your shipping company whether they offer it, or ask your own insurer about coverage during transport. See auto transport insurance for the full picture.
Myth 2: Booking a carrier directly beats using a broker
Truth: working directly with a carrier is nearly impossible.
Booking direct sounds smart until you try to find a carrier running your exact route, this week, with a space open. You would be calling hundreds of companies. You also risk paying more than market and ending up with a carrier you could not vet.
Brokers see business-to-business carrier ratings you cannot, source multiple quotes, and handle problems when they come up. A good broker gets you a better carrier at a better price, and stays on the order until delivery.
Myth 3: The car has to run to be shipped
Truth: it does not matter if it cannot start.
Carriers move inoperable vehicles every day. Ideally the car still rolls, brakes, and steers so it can be winched on. If it cannot do any of those things, some carriers have a forklift. Tell the broker up front so they dispatch the right equipment.
Myth 4: Only use a company that guarantees the price
Truth: there are no truly guaranteed prices in auto transport.
A company advertising a guaranteed price is doing one of two things. Either the quote is above market so that a carrier will certainly take it, meaning you overpay. Or the guarantee covers the price but not the pickup: they will not raise the rate, but if no carrier accepts it, the car simply does not move.
Pricing shifts with distance, vehicle, diesel costs, and season. Compare quotes and services, ask what happens if a carrier wants more than the quote, and pick the company with the best value, not the best promise.
Myth 5: Driving is cheaper than shipping
Truth: at best you break even. Usually you spend more.
Add up gas, food, hotels, the days off work, and the wear on the car. Then get two quotes from reputable companies and compare. For most long-distance moves, shipping wins on cost and on everything else.
Myth 6: All auto transport companies are the same
Truth: they are not even close.
Service quality and pricing vary enormously. Read reviews across several platforms, verify that the company is a registered broker in good standing, and look past the lowest number. The cheapest quote is rarely the best experience.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the myths out there. The common thread is that a little research protects you. Compare companies, ask direct questions, and pick the one that gives you straight answers.