TransitShield: What It Is, What It Covers, and When to Add It
TransitShield is Web Auto Transport's optional Shipper's Interest Transit Insurance. $99 per vehicle, up to $200,000 coverage, $100 deductible, underwritten per VIN. Here's exactly what it covers, what it doesn't, and when it makes sense.
RateShield locks your price. TransitShield protects your vehicle.
Those are the two things most shippers worry about when booking auto transport: will the price change? And what happens if something happens to my car? We built a product for each.
TransitShield is our optional Shipper's Interest Transit Insurance, a named, per-VIN policy that covers your vehicle from the moment it's first moved at pickup through final delivery at your destination. It's $99 per vehicle, flat rate, with a $100 deductible and up to $200,000 in coverage per vehicle.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | $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 |
| Coverage territory | 48 continental U.S. states + DC |
| Eligible vehicles | Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans (operable or inoperable) |
| Insurer | R.V.I. Guaranty Co., Ltd. |
| Producer | Tint Embedded Insurance Services, LLC |
| Program | TrustedTransport |
| How to add | Select TransitShield at booking, per VIN |
Why TransitShield Exists
Every shipment through Web Auto Transport is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. That's required by federal law and included at no extra charge. For most shipments, it's sufficient.
But carrier cargo policies have real limitations that customers often don't find out about until after something goes wrong:
- Higher deductibles. Many carrier policies carry deductibles of $1,000–2,500. TransitShield has a $100 deductible.
- Shared aggregate limits. A carrier's $250,000 cargo policy covers the entire trailer load of 7-9 vehicles. In a severe incident, that's divided across multiple claims. TransitShield is per-VIN, your vehicle has its own dedicated limit.
- More exclusions. Carrier policies often exclude ordinary weather events, certain loading scenarios, and edge cases. TransitShield is written specifically for vehicle transit with clearer coverage triggers.
- Harder claims process. Claims against a carrier's policy go through the carrier's insurer. TransitShield claims go directly through Tint, a digital-first process with a 7-day resolution target.
TransitShield doesn't replace the carrier's coverage. It sits alongside it, filling the gaps and giving you a cleaner, customer-friendly policy as your primary recourse.
What TransitShield Covers
Coverage applies during the entire transit period, from the moment the carrier first moves your vehicle at the pickup location, through loading, carriage, unloading, and any temporary stops, until final delivery.
Covered:
- Direct physical loss or damage during transit
- Theft and total loss
- Loading, carriage, unloading, and temporary stops
- Ordinary weather: rain, hail, wind, water damage, dust
- Towing fees resulting from covered damage
- Up to 5 days of storage fees from covered damage
- Undeliverable vehicles. Coverage extends up to 10 days while awaiting reshipment or return
- Route deviations and reasonable delays
What TransitShield Does NOT Cover
Being clear about exclusions is part of how we earn trust. Read these before adding coverage.
Not covered:
- Pre-existing damage, wear and tear, or concealed damage
- Personal items, loose goods, or unsecured items inside the vehicle
- Extreme weather events: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and named storms classified as major weather events by the National Weather Service. Note: ordinary rain, hail, wind, and water damage during normal transit ARE covered, only catastrophic named events are excluded.
- Electrical or mechanical breakdown, unless directly caused by an insured peril (e.g., fire from a collision)
- Diminished value after repair
- Vehicles with actual cash value (ACV) exceeding $200,000
- RVs, motorcycles, trailers, mobile homes, boats, or watercraft
- Shipping costs, duties, taxes, penalties, or consequential losses
- Acts of war, terrorism, nuclear events
Vehicle Eligibility
| Eligible | Not Eligible |
|---|---|
| Cars, trucks, SUVs, vans | RVs and motorhomes |
| Operable and inoperable vehicles | Motorcycles |
| Vehicles with ACV up to $200,000 | Trailers, boats, watercraft |
| All standard makes and models | Vehicles with ACV over $200,000 |
If your vehicle is worth more than $200,000, TransitShield is not the right product. Contact us at (760) 932-2886 and we'll arrange a carrier with a higher cargo policy limit appropriate for your vehicle's value.
How Vehicle Value Is Determined
In the event of a claim, your vehicle is valued at the lesser of:
- $200,000 (per-vehicle maximum)
- Actual Cash Value (ACV) at the final destination
- Declared value, if provided at booking and reasonably reflects ACV
Repair claims are based on reasonable fair-market repair costs, not exceeding the insured value.
How to Add TransitShield
TransitShield is selected at the time of booking, per vehicle. You pay $99 per VIN. It's that simple, no underwriting questionnaire, no medical-style application, no phone call required.
Once added, you receive documentation confirming coverage. The policy activates when the carrier first moves your vehicle at pickup.
You can cancel TransitShield any time before Transit begins for a full refund. Once the carrier picks up your vehicle, coverage cannot be cancelled.
How to File a Claim
Before Shipment (Required)
As a condition of coverage, you must take clear, date- and time-stamped photographs of your vehicle before shipment:
- All four sides, the roof, and the underside
- The vehicle as loaded and secured for transit
Without pre-shipment photos, a claim may be denied. This is the same preparation we recommend for every shipment regardless of whether you add TransitShield.
At Delivery
Take date-stamped photos of the vehicle upon receipt, showing any damage.
Report Within 7 Days
You must notify Tint within 7 days of discovering any loss. Include:
- Photos (pre- and post-shipment)
- Bill of Lading (pickup and delivery)
- Any police report (for theft, vandalism, or criminal acts)
Where to File
- Email: support@tint.ai
- Phone: (909) 505-2338
- Portal: Accessible through your booking confirmation
Most valid claims are resolved within 7 days of approval.
TransitShield vs. Carrier Cargo Insurance: Side by Side
|
|
TransitShield | Carrier Cargo Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who holds the policy | Customer (via WAT/Tint) | Carrier |
| Deductible | $100 | $1,000-2,500 typical |
| Per-vehicle limit | Up to $200,000 | Shared across all vehicles on trailer |
| Coverage trigger | Broader-physical loss during transit | Carrier negligence focused |
| Ordinary weather | Covered | Often excluded |
| Claims process | Direct with Tint, 7-day resolution target | Through carrier's insurer |
| Cost | $99/vehicle | Included in shipment |
| Optional or automatic | Optional | Automatic |
Who Should Add TransitShield?
Strong case for adding it:
- You're shipping a vehicle worth $20,000 or more
- You want a low $100 deductible rather than the carrier's higher one
- You want a named, per-VIN policy that's yours, not shared across a trailer
- You want a fast digital claims process directly with the insurer
- You're shipping an EV, luxury vehicle, or recently purchased car
- You're shipping a vehicle you can't easily replace
You can likely skip it:
- You're shipping a high-mileage daily driver with low market value
- You've confirmed your personal auto insurance covers transit damage
- You have a strong relationship with the carrier's insurer already
Q&A
Q: Is TransitShield required to ship with Web Auto Transport?
No. It is completely optional. The carrier's cargo insurance covers every shipment automatically. TransitShield is an add-on for customers who want additional peace of mind.
Q: Can I add TransitShield after I've already booked?
Yes, as long as Transit hasn't started. Contact us at (760) 932-2886 or info@webautotransport.com or LiveChat and we'll add it before your carrier picks up the vehicle.
Q: What if both the carrier's insurance and TransitShield cover the same loss?
TransitShield is written as primary coverage. If multiple policies respond to the same loss, coverage is shared proportionally so you're not compensated more than the actual loss amount.
Q: Does TransitShield cover hail damage?
Yes. Ordinary hail during transit is covered. What's excluded is catastrophic named storm events (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.). Hail during a normal thunderstorm is covered.
Q: My car is worth $250,000. Can I use TransitShield?
No. TransitShield covers vehicles with an ACV of $200,000 or less. For vehicles above this value, call us at (760) 932-2886 and we'll arrange a carrier with a higher cargo policy limit.
Q: Is there a deductible I have to pay?
Yes, $100 per claim. This is among the lowest deductibles in the auto transport industry.
Q: What if my vehicle is inoperable?
Inoperable vehicles are eligible for TransitShield as long as their ACV is $200,000 or less.
Q: Can I get proof of coverage?
Yes. A Certificate of Insurance is issued for each covered shipment. Contact us or Tint directly for documentation.
Add TransitShield at booking. Call (760) 932-2886 / (760) WEB-AUTO or LiveChat | info@webautotransport.com | webautotransport.com | USDOT #4574725 | FMCSA Licensed & Bonded
