FREE 15 Min. Webclass | Learn How To Avoid Common Car Shipping Scams

How to Ship a Car Long Distance —
Without Getting Ripped Off


If you’re moving your home across the country, car shipping should be the easy part. This short, straight‑talk webinar shows you how the auto transport industry really works—so you don’t get hit with surprise fees, fake “guarantees,” or coverage that disappears when you need it.

This Webinar Is On-Demand

Need A Quote?  Don't Watch The Webinar Until You Have Requested Your Quote!

Mr. Car Shipper is Recommended By:

Webinar Host: Daniel Harder

General Manager, Mr. Car Shipper

Start here (pick one)

Option 1:   

I already have a quote from Mr. Car Shipper

Great—this webinar helps you validate your decision and avoid the traps that derail other movers at the last second.

Option 2:   

I’m still comparing options

Get a real quote based on your route + vehicle—then return here to watch the webinar so you know what to compare (and what to ignore).

The 3 traps that wreck long distance car shipping

Trap #1 
“Car shipping websites” that are really lead-gen farms

Many sites exist to collect your info and sell it—then you get hit with a swarm of calls and conflicting promises.

​Rule of thumb: if the site spits out multiple competing quotes instantly, it’s often a lead seller, not a real provider.




What to do instead:
Only get quotes from websites that give you a quote from one company

Trap #2 
Bait-and-switch pricing (and why COD makes it worse)

Bait-and-switch is one of the most common consumer complaints in auto transport: a too-good quote gets you “booked,” then the price climbs later.

And COD at delivery can amplify this risk because it shifts leverage away from you.​




The question to ask any broker:
“Do you guarantee the rate in writing, and will I be required to pay the driver COD at delivery?”

Trap #3 — “Insured and bonded” that doesn’t protect you when damage happens

Carriers have cargo insurance, but claims can be confusing and deductibles/coverage gaps can create nasty surprises. This webinar explains why a broker’s process matters: you want a broker who will help manage the claim process and can offer backup coverage (contingent cargo) when appropriate.​

​Contingent cargo insurance is specifically designed as secondary coverage when a motor carrier’s insurance fails to respond.

What to get from your broker:
Ask the broker for a copy of their "contingent cargo coverage" and verify it is in their name.

What we do differently (and why it matters during a move)

Ethical car shipping for real-life moving timelines

We’re a broker — and we’re upfront about that. The difference is whether a broker protects you… or uses you.

Our protections:

  • Guaranteed price in writing once you book (no surprise “market adjustments”).
  • No COD leverage trap: we don’t want you showing up at delivery with a cash demand scenario.
  • Credit card protection: our process is designed so you aren’t left powerless if something goes sideways.
  • Claims support + contingent cargo protection: if there’s damage, you’re not on your own navigating it.

How to verify a car shipping company is real (before you give your info)

Step 1

Ask for their MC number.  Every car transport carrier AND broker are required to have one.

Step 2

Look them up on FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot (click HERE to go to their website).

Step 3

Confirm they’re properly registered (brokers must register with FMCSA).

Step 4

Cross-check reviews on trusted platforms (BBB is a good start).

What customers say about Mr. Car Shipper

Real reviews found on Google

Amazing experience throughout the entire process. We were previously swindled by another car shipping company so needless to say that there was a healthy amount of anxiety calling them. Some of the reviews didn’t help either but we called them and we didn’t regret it at all. We shipped our car from West to East coast.

From the beginning, Mr Car shipper reps were professional, transparent about the entire process and the costs. They made the experience feel personal and that is truly special. They stayed in touch and kept us informed throughout. There was even an issue with the truck, but they let us know and found another truck for us. In addition to that, our car stopped running which meant finding a different type of transporter, they worked tirelessly to find us one and they did it. All this and they still picked up the car on the agreed date and delivered on time! In light of our experience with other companies, they are the standard and we wouldn’t hesitate to use them again!

Mr. Car Shipper is everything they say and more! It was very stressful trying to decide on a car shipping company. I looked at lots of different companies, and read tons of reviews. Just couldn’t make a decision.

I decided to look at Mr. Car Shipper again and watched Jerry Teeter‘s video. That sealed the deal for me! When I called, the person I spoke to I immediately knew this was the company to go with. They were very pleasant and explained everything, and I felt at ease.

My experience went very smoothly, and they communicated every step of the way. My car was picked up on time, and was delivered early and looked just like it did when picked up. If you are reading this and going through what I did trying to make a decision, just give them a call! You won’t regret it!

Frequently asked questions about long distance car shipping

How far is “long distance” car shipping?

Typically 500+ miles or cross-state transport. Most shipments at this distance are handled by professional carriers on a multi-car trailer.

Can a company guarantee an exact pickup date?

Be cautious. Many shipments operate on a pickup window due to routing, driver hours, weather, and scheduling realities. Your quote should be honest about this.

Broker vs carrier — what’s the difference?

A carrier owns the truck and moves the vehicle. A broker coordinates your shipment by matching your route/timeline with a carrier.

Why are some quotes so much cheaper?

Sometimes it’s a legitimate difference in service. Often it’s bait‑and‑switch pricing designed to win the booking, then raise the cost later.

Should I ever pay COD (cash on delivery) to the driver?

We strongly recommend avoiding COD models because they can expose you to last‑second price changes and reduce your leverage if issues occur.

How do I verify a car shipping company is legit?

Ask for USDOT/MC info and verify using FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot.

What if my car gets damaged during transport?

Start with the carrier’s cargo insurance, but you also want a broker who will help you through the process and clarify coverage gaps. Contingent cargo insurance is designed to help when a motor carrier’s policy fails to respond.