A good transport company answers awkward questions plainly. That is most of what you are testing for on the call.
The questions below are ordered so the important ones come first, because you may not need the rest. If a company cannot answer the first three clearly, the call can end there.
None of this requires industry knowledge. It requires only that you listen for a direct answer rather than a reassuring one.
Ask These First
What is your USDOT or MC number? It should be given immediately, not emailed later.
Do you verify the assigned carrier’s cargo insurance before pickup? Yes or no. A long answer that avoids the word is an answer.
Is this quote a rate a carrier will actually accept, or an estimate? Both exist. You are entitled to know which.
Do you require a deposit to book? We do not. Know the policy before you agree to anything.
Who do I call once the vehicle is collected? A named coordinator, a general line, or the driver. Find out now, not later.
Then These
What happens if no carrier accepts at this rate? The honest answer involves relisting higher. Hearing it upfront is better than discovering it on day eight.
What is the delivery window, and what would widen it?
What is not covered? Personal items, pre-existing damage, and acts of weather are the standard exclusions.
How is damage documented? A written condition report at both ends, signed by both parties.
What if my vehicle will not start? It changes equipment and must be declared now.
Can the truck reach my street? If not, where would we meet?
Who releases the vehicle if I am not there? Arrange it at booking, not on the day.
How and when do I pay the balance?
Questions Not Worth Asking
“Can you guarantee a delivery date?” Any yes is unreliable. A truck carrying several vehicles across a continent cannot promise a date, and a company that says otherwise is telling you what you want to hear.
“How many trucks do you own?” Irrelevant for a broker, and no indicator of quality for a carrier.
“Are you the cheapest?” The answer is unverifiable and the goal is wrong.
“Will the same driver handle it the whole way?” Almost always yes on domestic routes, and it changes nothing if not.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single most useful question?
Whether the company verifies the assigned carrier’s insurance before collection. It is the one that affects whether your vehicle is covered.
Should I ask for the carrier’s name at booking?
You can, but it usually is not known yet. Ask how carriers are vetted instead.
Is it rude to ask about licensing?
No. Legitimate companies expect it and answer in seconds.
What answer should end the call?
Pressure to pay a deposit immediately to hold a slot, or an unwillingness to give a license number.
How long should this call take?
Ten minutes covers all of it.
Why Ship With Tempus Logix
Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted and its insurance verified before a vehicle is collected, and vehicle owners carry a zero deductible on covered damage.
First-time shippers deserve a quote that holds. We price loads at a rate carriers actually accept, explain what the figure covers before you commit, and tell you plainly when a date looks tight, rather than booking it and renegotiating later.
New to this? Start with our first-time car shipping guide.
Related Guides
Next in this cluster:
- How to Choose a Car Shipping Company
- How to Read Car Shipping Quotes
- Car Shipping Contract Review Guide
- How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams
- Communication Tips with Shippers
Need a vehicle moved? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.