How to ship a car to Florida

1. Choose your dates and truck

Write down where the car starts, where it ends, and when you need it in Florida. Separate your preferred pickup date from your required delivery date.

Tell the company whether the car runs and whether you can accept a pickup window. A truck may need a nearby meeting place with room to turn.

An open truck carries cars outside. An enclosed truck provides shelter and usually costs more. Ask which service the written price includes.

Fall trips south can face seasonal price pressure. A national average is not a quote for your route, car or week.

2. Check who will move your car

A broker arranges transportation. A carrier operates the truck that moves your car. Ask which role the company has.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) says interstate auto brokers and carriers must be registered. Ask for the company’s legal name and federal registration number.

Use the federal lookup linked in the FMCSA automobile transporter advisory. Match the legal name, not just the website name.

If a broker has not assigned a carrier, ask when you will receive the actual carrier’s details. Check that company too, before loading.

Registration is a starting check, not a promise of good service. Read recent reviews for repeated reports of price changes, missed pickups or difficult claims.

3. Get the full price in writing

Compare prices for the same route, car, dates and truck type. A low headline price can leave out important terms.

• What is the total price, including broker fees and extra charges?
• Can that price change? If so, when and why?
• When is each payment due, and who receives it?
• What happens to a deposit if no carrier is found or I cancel?
• Are pickup and delivery dates guaranteed or estimated?

A deposit alone does not prove a scam. Unclear payment terms, pressure to pay immediately, or refusal to name the company are reasons to pause.

Do not assume every payment method offers the same protection. Ask about card payments before agreeing to cash or a direct transfer.

Save the offer, agreement and receipts. These are practical safeguards, not a claim that every contract must follow one standard.

4. Ask what insurance actually covers

Federal registration does not mean your car is fully insured against transport damage.

FMCSA’s insurance filing requirements distinguish liability insurance from cargo insurance. General property carriers do not have a federal cargo-insurance filing requirement.

A broker’s bond is not insurance for damage to your car. Ask about the assigned carrier’s cargo coverage instead.

• Who is the insurer, and how can I confirm the coverage?
• What damage is covered, and what is excluded?
• What limits and deductibles apply to my car?
• How do I report damage, and what is the deadline?

Ask your own car insurer whether your policy covers transport damage. Keep the answers with your shipping agreement.

5. Prepare for pickup and delivery

Wash the car so existing marks show clearly. Take dated photos of every side, the roof, glass, wheels and interior.

Remove valuables, toll transponders and the vehicle title. Ask the carrier about belongings, fuel level, keys and any special operating instructions.

At pickup, confirm the carrier matches the details you received. Keep a copy of the condition report and shipping receipt.

The shipping receipt may be called a bill of lading. Ask the driver to explain anything you do not understand.

At delivery, compare the car with your photos before signing a clean condition report. Record new damage and notify the carrier promptly.

Follow the written claims process and keep your evidence. If something is unclear, ask before the truck leaves.