What Happens If Your Car Is Damaged During Transport?

You did your research, got a few quotes, picked a company, and handed over your keys. A few days later, your car arrives at its destination with a new scratch along the door or a dent you did not put there. It happens. Not often, but it happens.

The good news is that there is a clear process for handling damage claims in the auto transport industry, and carriers are required by federal law to carry cargo insurance.

The bad news is that the process only works smoothly if you know what to do before, during, and after the shipment. Here is what you need to know.

How Common Is Damage During Car Shipping?

Minor damage during open transport is uncommon but not unheard of. Small chips or debris marks can occur on open carriers, similar to highway driving. Significant structural damage is rare with reputable carriers, but it does happen, usually due to improper loading, equipment failure, or accidents during transit.

Enclosed transport reduces exposure to debris and weather but does not eliminate all risk. The loading and unloading process carries its own small risk for low-clearance or wide-body vehicles regardless of carrier type.

The most important protection you have is documentation. A well-documented pre-ship condition report makes the difference between a smooth claim and a disputed one.

Step 1: Document Your Car Before Pickup

Before the carrier arrives, photograph your vehicle thoroughly. This is not optional; it is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself.

• Take photos from all four corners of the car
• Photograph each panel individually: hood, roof, trunk, all four doors, front and rear bumpers, and all four fenders
• Get close-up shots of any existing scratches, dents, chips, or scuffs
• Photograph the interior, wheels, and undercarriage if accessible
• Note the date and time on your photos; most smartphone cameras do this automatically

The goal is to create a clear record of your vehicle’s condition before it left your hands. This protects both you and the carrier.

If you have questions about what to document or what the carrier will be looking for, RoadRunner Auto Transport’s customer service team can walk you through their recommended pre-ship checklist before pickup day.

It is a useful call to make, even if you have shipped vehicles before, since requirements vary by carrier.

Step 2: Review and Sign the Bill of Lading

The bill of lading (BOL) is the official transport document that records your vehicle’s condition at pickup. The carrier will complete a condition inspection before loading your car and note any existing damage on the BOL.

Read it carefully before you sign. If you notice damage the carrier has not noted, point it out and make sure it is documented. Once you sign, the BOL becomes the baseline record for your vehicle’s condition at the start of transport.

Get a copy. You will need it if you need to file a claim.

Step 3: Inspect Your Car at Delivery

When your vehicle arrives, inspect it before signing the delivery receipt. Do not let the driver pressure you to sign quickly or sign before inspection. You have the right to inspect the vehicle thoroughly first.

Companies like RoadRunner Auto Transport (Review) provide tracking and pickup notifications throughout the shipment, which means you should know roughly when the carrier is arriving rather than being caught off guard.

Use that lead time to clear a well-lit space for the inspection and have your pre-ship photos ready on your phone for comparison.

Compare what you see to your pre-ship photos and the condition noted on the BOL.

If you find new damage, do the following:

• Note it on the delivery paperwork before signing. Write a specific description; do not just sign and add a note later.
• Photograph the damage immediately, with the carrier’s truck visible in the background if possible.
• Get the carrier’s name, DOT number, and insurance information from the driver.
• Do not refuse delivery; that can complicate the claims process. Accept the vehicle and note the damage.

Who Pays for Damage?

This is where things get more complicated, and where understanding carrier insurance matters.

Carriers are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to carry cargo insurance. The minimum required coverage is $100,000 for regular vehicles, though most carriers carry more. However, a few important caveats apply.

This is also where the broker you booked through matters. Companies like RoadRunner Auto Transport that actively manage the carrier relationship stay involved if a claim happens, rather than handing you off to deal with the carrier alone.

The difference shows up most clearly when something goes wrong.

Deductibles

Carrier insurance policies typically have deductibles, and those deductibles vary widely. A common deductible range is $500 to $1,000. If your damage is minor and falls below the deductible, you may end up paying out of pocket even though the carrier is technically insured.

Pre-Existing Damage Disputes

If you did not document your vehicle’s condition thoroughly before pickup, the carrier can dispute the claim by arguing the damage existed before transport.

This is the most common reason legitimate claims get denied or reduced. Your photos and the signed BOL are your evidence.

Acts of Nature and Road Debris

Some carrier policies exclude damage from acts of nature (hail, falling objects) or road debris on open transport. Review the carrier’s insurance certificate and ask about exclusions before you ship.

If you are concerned about weather exposure, enclosed transport eliminates this category of risk.

Your Personal Auto Insurance

Many personal auto insurance policies extend some coverage to vehicles during transport. Check with your insurer before shipping. This can provide an additional layer of coverage if carrier insurance does not cover everything, though filing a claim may affect your rate.

How to File a Damage Claim

If you have documented damage and are ready to file a claim, here is the general process:

• Contact the carrier directly first. Most carriers have a claims process, and starting there is required before escalating.
• Submit your claim in writing with all supporting documentation: pre-ship photos, delivery photos, the signed BOL, and a written description of the damage.
• Get a repair estimate from a licensed body shop. This establishes the dollar amount of your claim.
• If the carrier is unresponsive or denies a legitimate claim, contact the broker you booked through. Reputable brokers will advocate on your behalf and follow up with the carrier directly.
• As a last resort, file a complaint with the FMCSA or pursue the matter through small claims court if the amount warrants it.

The claims process moves faster when your documentation is airtight. Carriers and their insurers are looking for reasons to dispute; solid paperwork removes that option.

How to Reduce the Risk of Damage

The best outcome is no damage at all.

A few practical steps reduce risk before you ship.

Choose your carrier carefully

Ask whether you are booking with a carrier or a broker. If it is a broker, ask what vetting standards apply to the carriers they work with. Look for companies that only work with carriers holding clean FMCSA safety ratings and appropriate insurance minimums.

RoadRunner Auto Transport is one example of a broker that publishes its carrier vetting standards and only assigns shipments to carriers that meet them.

Whatever company you book through, the question to ask directly is: What is your process for vetting the carriers you work with?

Consider enclosed transport for high-value vehicles

If your car is worth $50,000 or more, is a classic or collectible, or has custom bodywork, the additional cost of enclosed transport is generally worth it. The difference is typically $300 to $600 on most routes.

Remove loose items and accessories

Loose items inside the vehicle can shift and cause interior damage. Aftermarket accessories like spoilers, mirrors, or antenna extensions that are not factory-installed can catch wind or contact adjacent vehicles on an open carrier. Remove or secure them before pickup.

Disable toll transponders

If your vehicle has an active toll transponder like E-ZPass or SunPass, remove it or disable it before shipping. Carriers passing through toll zones may inadvertently trigger charges on your account.

A Note on Brokers vs. Carriers

Most auto transport companies you find online are brokers, not carriers. That is not a problem by itself; brokers provide a useful service by matching your shipment with vetted carrier networks and managing the logistics.

But it does mean your point of contact is not the entity responsible for your vehicle during transport.

When damage occurs, a reputable broker will assist with the claims process and advocate on your behalf with the carrier. A less reputable one may point you to the carrier and walk away.

This is worth asking about before you book: what is the company’s process if my vehicle arrives damaged?

RoadRunner Auto Transport works with vetted carrier networks and has defined processes for supporting customers through damage claims, which is one reason they rank highly among reputable shippers.

Before you book with anyone, ask the question directly.

The Bottom Line

Damage during auto transport is uncommon but not impossible. The shippers who come out of it cleanest are the ones who did the work upfront: thorough pre-ship photos, a carefully reviewed bill of lading, and a delivery inspection that happens before anything is signed.

If damage does occur, you have real recourse through carrier insurance and, if needed, broker advocacy and regulatory channels. The process works best when your documentation is solid from day one.

If you are shopping for a car shipping company and want to reduce your risk from the start, RoadRunner Auto Transport consistently ranks among the most reliable shippers based on its carrier vetting standards and claims support process.

See our guide to the best auto transport companies of 2026 for a full comparison.