auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Practice Safe Shipping

Every person in the car industry, at one time or another, has had the need to transport a vehicle from point A to point B. The scary fact facing many dealers is that they have absolutely no idea if their so-called reputable transport provider is

Scott Naz
Scott NazDirector of Business Development
Read Scott's Posts
June 22, 2009
2 min to read


Every person in the car industry, at one time or another, has had the need to transport a vehicle from point A to point B. The scary fact facing many dealers is that they have absolutely no idea if their so-called reputable transport provider is operating legally with an active operating authority and with adequate insurance covering the transported load. With a national network consisting of 5000 individual vehicle carriers, and many dealers using a mix of these different providers, it’s next to impossible for a dealer to fully understand this crucial piece that is vital to the safety and well-being of each vehicle shipped.

The worst case scenario is all too familiar within the industry:  a vehicle is damaged during the transport process, or worse yet the transporter is involved in an accident and proper protocol wasn’t followed, turning a bad situation into an extremely painful one for the dealer.

Ad Loading...

Very few transport companies give customers this peace of mind before the transport process starts, unless the customer specifically asks. When is the last time you asked your transport company this critical piece of information? When selecting your transport provider, remember to ask these crucial questions. Ask specifically how much damage coverage the carrier has, and if they can provide proof that both their insurance coverage and operating authority are active and sufficient for the requirements of the load being shipped.

No matter who your transport company is, make sure to take the time and do your homework. Remember, times are tough for the transport industry as well, and insurance is a huge cost. Not renewing insurance is a dangerous roll of the dice, but a chance some companies are willing to take to make ends meet. Checking these critical items is critical to safe shipping.
 
Exclusively Online

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Dealer Ops

Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/15/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 15, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.

Read More →
Two professionals shake hands while exchanging a car key fob beside a vehicle, symbolizing a vehicle sale, lease agreement, or dealership transaction.
SponsoredJuly 8, 2026

How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap

Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.

Read More →
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/02/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 06/25/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJune 26, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.

Read More →
group of people standing in a circle holding puzzle pieces together
Dealer OpsJune 1, 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins

A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.

Read More →
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program

When volatility hits, dealer-owned reinsurance programs face a familiar temptation: pull back and wait for calmer waters. New data from BOK Financial shows why that instinct can quietly cost you years of surplus growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
two cars on a billboard, No Hidden Fees
ComplianceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Ads and the FTC

The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.

Read More →
Closeup of white car's headlight, front end
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellApril 17, 2026

Used Autos Supply Dwindles

The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.

Read More →
hands making protective frame over red car, Risk Reality Check, Be Proactive, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer OpsApril 1, 2026

Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times

The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →