Most car shipments go fine. The ones that don’t usually go wrong at the very start, when the customer picks a company. These are the checks that separate a solid company from a headache.
1. Verify Their Registration
Every legitimate auto transport company and carrier is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Ask for their USDOT and MC numbers, then look them up on the FMCSA website. Check that the name matches and the authority is active. Shelby Auto Transport is USDOT 3813762, MC 1377368.
2. Read Recent Reviews, Not Just the Star Rating
Look at Google reviews and other independent sites. Read the newest ones, and read the bad ones. Are complaints about price changes, missed pickups, damage, or no one answering the phone? Does the company respond? A pattern tells you more than any single review.
3. Be Skeptical of the Lowest Quote
If one quote is far below the rest, ask why. Often the answer is that no carrier will take the car at that price, and it will go up later. Read how the bait and switch works.
4. Get the Terms in Writing
Before you book, get the price, what’s due when, the pickup window, and the cancellation terms in writing. Read it. If it’s vague about fees or what happens when dates slip, ask until it isn’t.
5. Ask About Insurance
Ask how the carrier’s cargo insurance works, what the limits are, and whether you can see the certificate before pickup. If your car is valuable, tell the company its value up front.
6. Call Them
A phone call tells you a lot. Does a real person answer? Do they ask good questions about your car and your route, or just push for a deposit? Do they explain how they work with carriers?
7. Understand Who Moves Your Car
Many companies, including Shelby, arrange your shipment with a licensed carrier rather than owning the trucks. That’s normal and lets them ship almost anywhere. What matters is that they tell you clearly how it works and stay reachable while your car is on the road. More in The Ins and Outs of Auto Transport.
Red Flags
- No USDOT or MC number, or one that doesn’t match on FMCSA
- A quote far below everyone else’s
- Pressure to pay a big deposit right now
- “Guaranteed” dates with no explanation
- No written terms, or terms that don’t match what you were told
- A driver demanding extra cash at delivery. See hostage vehicle scams.