The short answer
First-time shippers need four documents ready (ID, registration, insurance proof, and the booking confirmation), 8 timestamped photos of the vehicle's exterior and odometer, and a quick call to their auto insurer confirming transit coverage. Remove personal items except up to 100 lbs in the trunk, leave a quarter tank of gas, and walk the Bill of Lading with the driver before signing at both pickup and delivery.
- $0 is due at booking under Pay At Pickup — the full order total is charged only the moment the carrier physically loads the vehicle.
- Standard pickup windows run 1-7 business days from your confirmed date; expedited narrows it to 1-5 days for a 35% surcharge.
- Carriers are not licensed to transport household goods, so anything left loose in the cabin isn't covered by cargo insurance.
- A quarter tank of fuel is the standard recommendation — enough to load and drive off, light enough to stay within axle weight limits.
- Every shipment includes live tracking and a digital Bill of Lading, so first-time shippers can watch pickup and delivery status in real time.
- Optional insurance adds up to $200,000 of coverage for $99 per vehicle, on top of the carrier's own cargo policy.
The 4 documents to have in hand before the truck arrives
- A government-issued photo ID matching the name on the booking.
- Current vehicle registration — the driver may ask to confirm it, even though it stays with the car during transit.
- Proof of your own auto insurance, in case questions come up about coverage gaps during transit.
- Your booking confirmation with the order number, useful if you need to reach dispatch quickly on pickup day.
The 8 photos carriers rely on for liability claims
- Front bumper, straight-on
- Rear bumper, straight-on
- Driver-side full profile
- Passenger-side full profile
- Roof, from a raised angle if possible
- All four wheels, close up
- Odometer reading
- Interior dashboard and seats
Three questions to ask your insurance agent today
Call your personal auto insurer before pickup day, not after. Ask whether your policy remains active while the car is in transit on a carrier, since some comprehensive policies do cover this and others explicitly exclude it. Ask whether a claim during transport would affect your personal rates, since carrier-caused damage should route through the carrier's cargo policy instead. And ask what documentation they'd need if you ever had to file a claim, so you know to keep your pickup photos and Bill of Lading on hand rather than assuming you won't need them.
What to remove from the car — and what must stay
- Remove: toll transponders (they can be billed to whoever drives the toll road), garage remotes, parking passes, chargers, sunglasses, and loose valuables.
- Remove: aftermarket roof boxes, bike racks, and anything not bolted to the factory frame.
- Keep: license plates, current registration, and your insurance card — these legally belong with the vehicle.
- Keep, if necessary: up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk, out of sight, disclosed to the driver for the Bill of Lading.
A bulletproof Bill of Lading inspection
At pickup, walk the vehicle with the driver in daylight, panel by panel, and confirm every existing scratch, chip, or dent is marked correctly on the diagram before you sign. Keep a copy, either paper or photographed on your phone. At delivery, do the same walk again before signing the second copy — this is the moment that determines whether new damage is provable. Signing without inspecting, even under time pressure, is the single biggest reason first-time shippers lose a legitimate damage claim.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it normal to feel nervous handing over my car to a stranger?
- Yes, and it's worth channeling that into preparation rather than worry. Every carrier on our network is continuously vetted through the Highway platform, and live tracking plus a digital Bill of Lading mean you're never guessing where your vehicle is.
- What if no one is available at my exact address on pickup day?
- You can designate any trusted adult to hand over the keys and sign on your behalf, or arrange delivery to a different address like a workplace, as long as someone is present during the scheduled window.
- Do I pay anything when I book?
- No. Pay At Pickup means $0 is due at booking, with no deposit. Your card is charged the full order total only the moment the carrier physically picks up the vehicle, and nothing further is due at delivery.
- How far in advance should a first-time shipper book?
- Booking 1-2 weeks ahead of your ideal pickup date gives the most flexibility with standard service. If your timeline is tighter, expedited service narrows the pickup window to 1-5 business days for a 35% premium.