{"id":2971,"date":"2020-07-12T03:57:02","date_gmt":"2020-07-12T09:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=2971"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:06:20","slug":"do-you-need-insurance-to-ship-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/do-you-need-insurance-to-ship-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I need insurance to ship a car? | Citizenshipper"},"content":{"rendered":"

When arranging a vehicle shipment, insurance is an important yet often overlooked subject. Haulers, for one, don\u2019t normally ask the customers for their insurance info. And on the other hand, car owners often assume that the haulers have things covered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But people who think ahead might ask themselves, <\/span>what exactly does my insurance cover when the car is being shipped? Do I need insurance to ship a car? What kind of insurance should my shipping company have?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll try to answer these questions and more, providing some insight into how auto insurance applies to <\/span>vehicle transportation<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The basics of insurance coverage<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the United States, auto insurance is mandatory in almost every jurisdiction. (Shoutout to those <\/span>New Hampshire and Virginia drivers<\/span><\/a>, though!) The amount of coverage required by law varies from state to state. Most policies cover bodily injury or property damage liabilities, in addition to costs associated with theft, repairs, or medical expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

And yet, few insurance policies cover the damages caused in shipping. You\u2019ll need to check with your insurance provider to see just how the vehicle is protected during transport. Should an accident occur, odds are you\u2019ll be relying on the shipping company\u2019s insurance coverage instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

But that\u2019s where things get tricky. <\/span>DOT-registered transporters<\/span><\/a> are required by law to have some form of insurance, true. But the specifics of their coverage can sometimes be murky. Here\u2019s a quick overview of the steps you can take to stay on top of things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask your hauler for proof of insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n

A shipping company should volunteer information on its insurance coverage to customers. In case they fail to do so, be sure to ask for proof of insurance. Any prevarication in this regard should be seen as a major red flag.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thoroughly review the insurance policy that your transporter provides. If anything seems unclear, don\u2019t hesitate to ask for clarification. Only book the transporter once you\u2019re confident in your understanding of their policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few of the questions that your analysis should try to answer:<\/span><\/p>\n