How Car Shipping Insurance Works (Carrier vs. Broker vs. Personal)
Three layers protect your vehicle during car shipping. Here's how carrier cargo insurance, optional TransitShield coverage, and your personal auto policy each play a role.
Three Layers of Protection
When you ship a car with Web Auto Transport, your vehicle can be protected by up to three types of insurance. Only Layer 1 is automatic. Layers 2 and 3 are your choice.
Layer 1: Carrier Cargo Insurance (Primary, Included on Every Shipment)
Every FMCSA-licensed carrier is legally required to carry cargo insurance. This covers physical damage to your vehicle during loading, transit, and unloading.
- Typical coverage: $100,000-$250,000 per vehicle (varies by carrier)
- Enclosed carriers: Often $250,000-$1,000,000+
- What it covers: Exterior damage, broken glass, loading accidents, theft while in carrier custody
- What it doesn't cover: Personal items, pre-existing damage, Acts of God, mechanical failure
This insurance is included in your shipment at no extra cost. Web Auto Transport verifies every carrier's cargo insurance before dispatch, not just at onboarding.
Layer 2: TransitShield (Optional Add-On)
For customers who want a named, documented layer of protection beyond the carrier's standard cargo policy, Web Auto Transport offers TransitShield, Shipper's Interest Transit Insurance, underwritten per VIN through Tint's TrustedTransport program.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Cost | $99 per vehicle (flat rate) |
| Per-Vehicle Limit | Up to $200,000 |
| Deductible | $100 |
| Aggregate Limit | $1,000,000 per load |
| Coverage period | From first movement at pickup through final delivery |
| Insurer | R.V.I. Guaranty Co., Ltd. |
| Producer | Tint Embedded Insurance Services, LLC |
| How to add | Select at booking, per VIN |
TransitShield is optional, not included automatically. For most standard vehicles with a well-insured carrier, the primary cargo policy is sufficient. For customers who want a named, per-VIN policy with a documented $200,000 limit and a low $100 deductible, TransitShield is worth adding at booking.
Vehicle eligibility: TransitShield covers vehicles with an actual cash value (ACV) of $200,000 or less. Vehicles exceeding this value are not eligible for this product. Eligible vehicle types: cars, trucks, SUVs, vans (operable or inoperable). Not available for RVs, motorcycles, trailers, or boats.
What TransitShield covers:
- Direct physical loss or damage during transit
- Theft and total loss
- Loading, carriage, unloading, and temporary stops
- Ordinary weather damage (rain, hail, wind, water, dust)
- Towing fees from covered damage
- Up to 5 days storage fees from covered damage
- Undeliverable vehicles, coverage extends up to 10 days
- Route deviations and reasonable delays
What TransitShield does NOT cover:
- Pre-existing damage, wear and tear
- Personal items or loose goods inside the vehicle
- Extreme weather events: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, named storms
- Electrical or mechanical breakdown (unless caused by an insured peril)
- Diminished value after repair
- Vehicles with ACV exceeding $200,000
- Shipping costs, duties, taxes, or consequential losses
Layer 3: Your Personal Auto Insurance (Optional)
Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover damage during professional commercial transport. Some policies offer limited protection. Contact your insurer to confirm before shipping.
Common Insurance Questions
Q: Is insurance included in my quote?
Yes. Carrier cargo insurance is included on every shipment at no extra charge. TransitShield is an optional $99/vehicle add-on you can select at booking.
Q: How do I verify the carrier's insurance?
Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your logistics coordinator before pickup. You can also verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov using the carrier's MC number. Web Auto Transport re-verifies insurance at every dispatch through Highway and Carrier Assure continuous monitoring.
Q: What does TransitShield add that the carrier's policy doesn't cover?
TransitShield provides a named, per-VIN policy with a documented $200,000 limit, a very low $100 deductible, and broader coverage triggers. The carrier's policy is a commercial cargo policy with higher deductibles and more exclusions. TransitShield is the cleaner, customer-facing product.
Q: Does insurance cover personal items in the car?
No. Neither the carrier's cargo insurance nor TransitShield covers personal belongings inside the vehicle. Do not leave anything irreplaceable.
Q: What if the carrier's insurance has lapsed?
Web Auto Transport re-verifies insurance before every dispatch using continuous monitoring through Highway and Carrier Assure. If a lapse is discovered, the carrier is removed and your shipment is reassigned before pickup.
Q: Is TransitShield available for enclosed transport?
Yes. TransitShield applies to both open and enclosed transport for eligible vehicles.
Q: What is the claim window for TransitShield?
You must notify Tint within 7 days of discovering any loss. Pre- and post-shipment photos are required as a condition of coverage. Claims are typically resolved within 7 days of approval.
Q: What if my vehicle is worth more than $200,000?
TransitShield is not available for vehicles with an ACV over $200,000. For exotic, ultra-luxury, or collector vehicles in that range, we can arrange carriers with higher cargo policy limits. Contact us at (760) 932-2886 to discuss options.
The Web Auto Transport Protection Suite
RateShield locks your price from placing your order to dispatch for 30 calendar days so the cost of your shipment never changes.
TransitShield protects your vehicle from first movement at pickup through final delivery at destination.
Two products. One sentence: “We protect your money. We protect your car.”
Questions about coverage? Call (760) 932-2886 / (760) WEB-AUTO, or use LiveChat. USDOT# 4574725 | FMCSA Licensed and Bonded. Email: info@webautotransport.com.
