How to Verify Your Carrier's Insurance Before Pickup

Every legitimate auto transport carrier must carry active cargo insurance. Here's how to verify it yourself in under 5 minutes, before your car is loaded.

Why Verify? (And Who Should Do It)

Web Auto Transport verifies carrier insurance before every dispatch. We request Certificates of Insurance, confirm policies directly with insurers, and re-check before each shipment.

If you want to verify independently, which you absolutely can and should feel empowered to do, here's how.

Method 1: FMCSA SAFER System (Free, Takes 2 Minutes)

The FMCSA's SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records) system is a public database of all registered carriers.

Steps:

1. Go to: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
2. Enter the carrier's USDOT Number or MC Number (provided in your dispatch confirmation)
3. Click "Company Snapshot"
4. In the results, click "Insurance"
5. Confirm: Policy is Active, coverage type includes Cargo, and the company name matches

What to look for:

• Status: Active (not revoked, not pending)
• Insurance on file: Cargo coverage listed
• Policy dates: Not expired
• Company name: Matches the carrier name in your confirmation

Method 2: Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI)

Ask your Web Auto Transport logistics specialist for a copy of the carrier's Certificate of Insurance. We provide this on request before pickup.

A COI shows:

• Insurer name and policy number
• Policyholder (carrier company)
• Coverage types and amounts
• Policy effective and expiration dates

Red flags on a COI:

• Expiration date has passed
• Company name doesn't match the carrier in your confirmation
• Coverage amount looks unusually low (below $100,000 cargo)
• Document looks altered or has formatting inconsistencies

Method 3: Call the Insurance Company Directly

The COI lists the insurance company. You can call them and ask: "Can you confirm that [carrier company name] has an active cargo insurance policy, policy number [X], effective through [date]?"

This is the highest level of verification and is what Web Auto Transport does routinely for every carrier we dispatch.

Web Auto Transport's Verification Process

Here's what we check before assigning any carrier to your vehicle:

1. FMCSA license status (active MC and USDOT)
2. Cargo insurance verification via COI and direct insurer confirmation
3. Safety score review (crashes, violations, inspection history)
4. Advanced fraud prevention and risk scoring software capturing 100+ indicators
5. Performance history in our network

We re-run this process for every dispatch, not just at carrier onboarding.

Q&A

Q: What's the minimum cargo insurance a carrier must have?

The FMCSA minimum for cargo insurance is $5,000-$10,000, but these minimums are extremely low and outdated. Reputable carriers carry $100,000-$250,000 or more. Web Auto Transport's minimum requirement for carriers in our network is $100,000.

Q: What if I can't verify the carrier's insurance?

Contact us immediately at (760) 932-2886). Do not release the vehicle until you can confirm coverage. We'll assist you in real time.

Q: Can a carrier's insurance lapse between booking and pickup?

Yes. This is why we re-verify at dispatch rather than just at onboarding. If a lapse is detected, we reassign your shipment.

Insurance verified before every dispatch. Get a free quote at webautotransport.com, use LiveChat, or call (760) 932-2886  / (760) WEB-AUTO. USDOT# 4574725 | FMCSA Licensed and Bonded. Email: info@webautotransport.com