Broker
A broker arranges transport through a carrier network. The broker coordinates the shipment; the carrier operates the truck. Ask how assignment, communication and payment work for the booking you are considering.
Home › Auto Transport Guide
Shipping a car starts with a few practical decisions: who arranges the move, which transport type fits your vehicle, and what to confirm before handing over the keys. Use this guide to work through the process from planning to delivery.
Start with the route, the vehicle and the dates you can work with. Request a quote early enough to discuss access, loading needs and timing before you commit to other travel arrangements.
Keep your phone available for coordination. Take clear condition photos and have the necessary keys and shipment paperwork ready. Confirm fuel or EV charge instructions for your vehicle rather than relying on a generic percentage. No household goods: personal items left in the vehicle must be under 100 lb and are at the owner’s risk.
Walk through the booking and handover stages on How It Works.
These models play different roles. Before booking, establish who you are contracting with, who will operate the truck, who receives each payment and who handles updates if plans change.
A broker arranges transport through a carrier network. The broker coordinates the shipment; the carrier operates the truck. Ask how assignment, communication and payment work for the booking you are considering.
A carrier physically transports the vehicle. Booking directly still requires you to check the route, availability, equipment, payment terms and applicable coverage. A direct booking does not automatically guarantee a particular date or outcome.
A marketplace can connect you with transport providers or offers. Its role varies by platform. Check who provides the transport service, which party holds your agreement and what support the platform actually offers.
Van 3 Auto Transport arranges shipments through its carrier network. Learn more about that role on Why Van 3.
A convincing website, a document or a low price is not enough on its own. Take time to verify the company and understand the offer before paying or releasing the vehicle.
Ask for the company’s legal name and applicable MC/USDOT details. Check operating authority through the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance lookup instructions. Compare the name and contact information with what you have been given; a registration number alone does not prove you are speaking with that business.
FMCSA warns that identities and insurance documents can be misused. If details do not match, confirm them using independently verified contact information before proceeding. Read the FMCSA fraud and identity theft guidance.
Keep the quote, agreement and payment instructions together. Clarify cancellation, refund and balance terms before you book; do not assume an advertised price answers those questions.
Compare offers using the same route, vehicle condition, transport type and timing requirements. Otherwise, different prices may describe different shipments.
Distance is only part of the picture. Route demand, vehicle size and condition, transport type and scheduling needs can affect the available quote. Report unusual dimensions or loading issues before accepting arrangements. For a breakdown of the factors, see Car Shipping Cost.
Van 3 quotes are locked for 48 hours from receipt under the Price Lock Guarantee. If you do not book within that period, the quote may change; an updated quote is locked for another 48 hours. Review the terms rather than assuming a quote remains available indefinitely.
Booking offers full payment or a deposit by credit card, debit card or PayPal. Confirm the actual deposit amount and remaining balance arrangements for your booking. Requesting a quote is free and does not require payment.
Discuss preferred dates and any firm deadline before booking. Traffic, weather, route conditions and other stops can affect pickup and delivery. Treat an estimate as an estimate unless a specific commitment is confirmed. For a time-sensitive move, discuss availability through Expedited Car Shipping.
Choose around the vehicle and your priorities. Confirm the available quote and arrangements for the actual shipment before making a decision.
The vehicle travels on an open trailer and is exposed to weather and road conditions. Consider it for an everyday vehicle when that exposure is acceptable. Discuss any vehicle-specific concern with the team.
The vehicle travels inside a trailer, with added separation from weather and road conditions. Consider it when protecting the vehicle from exposure is a priority. Confirm equipment suitability, availability and coverage rather than assuming every enclosed shipment is identical.
Understand the applicable carrier coverage before pickup. The transport type and the word “insured” do not, by themselves, explain what a particular policy covers.
Ask for clear answers rather than assuming every loss is covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle are at the owner’s risk; the under-100-lb allowance is not a promise of insurance coverage. Keep condition photos and transport paperwork so there is a record of the handover.
For the applicable insurance and claims details, contact the Van 3 team before booking. No universal coverage limit or claim deadline is stated here.
Set aside time to inspect the vehicle at the handover. Good records help explain a concern clearly if something needs follow-up.
Compare the vehicle with your pickup photos and the condition recorded on the transport paperwork. Look at the exterior and the areas you documented before shipping. If something appears different, photograph it clearly and record the concern on the delivery paperwork.
Retain copies of the pickup and delivery records, bill of lading, photos and booking information. Note what you noticed and when. Contact the team promptly for the applicable carrier procedure and deadlines; do not rely on a generic claim period.
Have your order number and route ready when you contact Van 3. Ask what to provide and where to send it, then keep copies of your correspondence. Avoid assuming that a recorded concern automatically determines coverage or a claim outcome.
Get a quote for your route and vehicle.