To pick a car shipping company, check four things: an FMCSA broker or carrier licence, proof of insurance, no deposit before pickup, and one advisor from quote to driveway. Allied has all four. We are an FMCSA licensed broker, fully insured. Allied since 1989.
- Licence: ask for the company’s FMCSA licence and check it on the FMCSA site.
- Insurance: ask for proof of cargo coverage, not just a yes.
- Payment: no deposit, no upfront fees, nothing due until your car is picked up.
- Contact: one advisor handles your shipment from quote to driveway.
How do I choose a car shipping company?
Start with the licence. A company that arranges your shipment as a broker must hold an FMCSA broker licence. A company that moves cars on its own trucks needs a carrier registration. Ask which one it is, then look it up yourself.
Next, ask for proof of insurance. Cargo coverage is what protects your car on the truck.
Then ask what you owe and when. Some companies take a deposit the moment a driver is assigned. Others collect the balance from the driver in cash. Ask for the full payment schedule before you give anyone a card number.
Last, ask who you will talk to. You want one person who knows your shipment, not a new voice every time you call.
What is a broker and what is a carrier?
A carrier owns the trucks and drives the car. A broker arranges the shipment and picks the carrier. Allied is a broker. We do not run our own trucks.
Our work is choosing the carrier. We use our network of vetted, licensed and insured carriers. We assign the carrier. Every shipment is approved and dispatched by the owner.
How does Allied compare with other car shipping companies?
We would rather you check us against the four questions above than take our word. Here is where we stand on each one.
- FMCSA licensed broker, fully insured. Allied since 1989.
- No deposit. No upfront fees. No payment until pickup.
- One advisor from quote to driveway.
- Your info goes to one advisor. We never sell it or share it with other brokers.
Why do car shipping quotes differ so much between companies?
Distance, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, pickup and drop-off locations and the time of year all move the price. Two companies can also quote the same car at very different numbers because one of them is guessing low to win the booking and hoping the number can be made to work later.
If one quote is far below the others, ask what it leaves out. Ask whether a carrier has accepted that price. A quote that no carrier will take stays a quote, and your pickup slips while the company looks for someone who will.
What services should a car shipping company offer?
Door-to-door pickup and delivery is the standard. Ask whether the company offers it for your addresses, or only terminal to terminal. Allied ships door to door.
Open carriers are the common choice for everyday cars. If you want a roof over your car, ask about enclosed car shipping. We offer both.
If your car does not start or drive, tell the advisor up front. It needs a carrier with a winch. A salvage title changes nothing about how we dispatch the car.
Which car shipping companies go to Hawaii, Alaska or Canada?
Allied ships to all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, and to Canada. For Canada, we handle transport only. Border and import rules are yours to meet, so check them with the Canadian agencies before you book.
Questions people ask
What is the best car shipping company?
The best one for you is licensed, insured, upfront about when you pay, and gives you one contact. Check those four things for any company you are considering, including us.
Are car shipping companies and auto transport companies the same thing?
Yes. Car shipping, auto transport, car moving and vehicle transport all describe the same service: a truck moves your car from one address to another.
Do I have to pay a deposit to a car shipping company?
Not with Allied. No deposit. No upfront fees. No payment until pickup. Other companies may ask for one, so ask before you book.
Can a car with no plates or expired registration be shipped?
Yes. Plates or a lapsed registration don’t stop a carrier from hauling a car. Ask your advisor what proof of ownership they need at pickup (title or bill of sale).
Can you ship a car that does not run?
Yes. Tell your advisor up front so we send a carrier with a winch.
Do you pick up and deliver at my door?
Yes. We ship door to door.
Call (800) 997-4181 or get a quote. No deposit. No upfront fees. No payment until pickup.
