FAQ Your Questions Answered

Most shippers save 30-40% compared to broker services. Here's why:

• No Broker Markups: Brokers typically add $300-$800+ to your cost
• Direct Pricing: You pay carriers their actual rate - not inflated broker prices
• No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing with no surprise charges
• Fixed Rates: No bidding wars that drive prices up

For example: If a broker quotes $1,200, you might pay carriers directly only $800-900 for the same service.

Our platform makes carrier selection easy and transparent:

• DOT Verification: All carriers show verified DOT numbers and insurance
• Customer Reviews: Read real reviews from previous customers
• Equipment Type: See if they have open or enclosed trailers
• Experience Level: View how long they've been in business
• Route Expertise: See carriers familiar with your specific route

You have complete control over who transports your vehicle - no broker making decisions for you.

We have multiple protection layers:

• Direct Communication: Message your carrier instantly for immediate issue resolution
• Photo Documentation: Before/after photos with damage mapping for insurance claims
• Escrow Protection: Your money stays safe until you confirm satisfactory delivery
• Carrier Insurance: All carriers carry verified commercial auto insurance
• 24/7 Support: Our support team helps resolve any disputes or issues
• Built-in Dispute System: Formal dispute resolution with photo evidence

You are kept fully informed on your shipment's progress through several key features:

• Direct Carrier Communication: You can message your assigned carrier directly through the platform at any time to ask for their current location and estimated time of arrival. This is the most accurate way to get a real-time update.
• Milestone Status Updates: Your carrier is required to update the job status at key points in the journey, such as "Picked Up" and "Delivered." You will receive an automatic notification each time the status changes.
• Photo Documentation: You will receive photos of your vehicle from the carrier at both pickup and delivery, confirming the start and end of the transport process.

This combination of direct communication and required status updates ensures you always have a clear picture of your shipment's progress.

Open Transport:

• Most common and cost-effective option
• Vehicles transported on open-air trailers (like car lots)
• Safe for most vehicles - same trucks that deliver to dealerships
• Typically 30-40% less expensive than enclosed

Enclosed Transport:

• Premium protection in fully enclosed trailers
• Recommended for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles
• Complete protection from weather and road debris
• More expensive but maximum protection

Our platform was built to ensure carriers keep the vast majority of the transport payment. While we are a licensed broker, our model is fundamentally different from traditional brokerages:

• Transparent 10% Platform Fee: Our fee is a simple, flat 10% of the total shipment price. You always know exactly what you will earn.
• No Hidden Markups: Traditional brokers often take a 25-40% cut from the price the shipper pays. With us, that extra margin goes directly into your pocket.
• Direct Shipper Connection: By working directly with shippers, you build your reputation and can secure more consistent, high-quality loads without a middleman taking a large share.
• Guaranteed Escrow Payments: You never have to worry about getting paid. The full amount is secured in escrow before you even start driving.

The bottom line: On a typical $1,000 shipment where a traditional broker might pay you only $650-$750, our model ensures you receive a net payment of $900. You earn significantly more for the same work.

To maintain quality and safety, we require:

• Valid DOT Number: Active and in good standing
• Commercial Auto Insurance: Minimum coverage requirements
• Clean Safety Record: Good CSA scores and safety ratings
• Proper Equipment: Appropriate trailers for auto transport
• Business License: Valid operating authority
• Background Verification: Business and safety record checks

Our verification process ensures only qualified, professional carriers join the platform.

Our digital system eliminates paperwork:

• Mobile App Signing: Sign BOL digitally on your smartphone or tablet
• Photo Documentation: Take photos directly in the app with automatic timestamps
• Damage Mapping: Use interactive vehicle diagrams to mark existing damage precisely
• Cloud Storage: All documents automatically saved and backed up
• Instant Sharing: Shippers receive documentation immediately
• Legal Compliance: Digital signatures are legally valid and binding

Our platform maximizes your efficiency:

• Smart Route Optimization: AI-powered routing for fuel efficiency and time savings
• Return Load Matching: Find loads for your return trip automatically
• Traffic Integration: Real-time traffic data for route adjustments
• Fuel Stop Planning: Optimize fuel stops based on your truck specifications
• Delivery Windows: Coordinate multiple pickups and deliveries efficiently
• GPS Integration: Works with your existing GPS and ELD systems

Payment is released immediately upon delivery confirmation:

• Instant Release: Money transfers from escrow as soon as delivery is confirmed
• Automatic Process: No waiting for broker payment processing
• Direct Deposit: Funds go directly to your bank account
• No Payment Delays: No broker payment cycles or delays
• Secure Escrow: Payment guaranteed before you even start the job

Compare this to brokers who often take 30-60 days to pay carriers.

Traditional Brokers:

• Create bidding wars that inflate prices
• Add 30-40% markup to carrier rates
• Hide their fees in inflated quotes
• Prices fluctuate based on broker profit margins

Direct Auto Ship:

• Fixed, competitive pricing - no bidding wars
• Carriers set their own rates directly
• Small, transparent platform fee (clearly disclosed)
• No hidden markups or surprise charges
• Instant quotes based on actual carrier rates

We believe in 100% transparency. There is one simple fee included in the total price you see for your shipment.

• Our Platform Fee is 10% of the total transport cost.
• This fee covers all brokerage services, including carrier vetting, payment escrow, digital documentation, and customer support.
• There are no hidden markups or surprise charges. The price you see is the price you pay.

This model is significantly more affordable than traditional brokers, who often add 25-40% markups to the final price. This fee is taken out of the final payment to the carrier.

Our Stripe-powered escrow system protects everyone:

• Payment Hold: Shipper's payment is held securely when booking is confirmed
• Carrier Protection: Carriers know payment is guaranteed before starting work
• Shipper Protection: Payment only released when delivery is confirmed
• Automatic Release: Payment transfers instantly upon confirmed delivery
• Dispute Protection: Funds held safely during any dispute resolution
• Bank-Level Security: Powered by Stripe's enterprise-grade security

We accept all major payment methods through Stripe:

• Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
• Debit Cards: All major bank debit cards
• ACH Bank Transfers: Direct bank account payments (lower fees)
• Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay (mobile app)
• Wire Transfers: For large commercial shipments

All payments are processed securely with industry-standard encryption and fraud protection.

Our cancellation policy is fair and transparent:

• Before Pickup: Full refund minus small processing fee if cancelled 24+ hours before pickup
• Same Day Cancellation: Partial refund may apply depending on carrier preparation
• After Pickup: Cancellation not possible - vehicle is in transit
• Carrier Cancellation: Full refund if carrier cancels for any reason
• Emergency Situations: Special consideration for genuine emergencies

Refunds are processed immediately through the same escrow system.

Our platform keeps you informed throughout the journey:

• Manual Status Updates: Carriers update the job status directly on the platform (e.g., "Picked Up," "In Transit," "Delivered").
• Photo Updates: Carriers upload photos at pickup and delivery for your review.
• Direct Messaging: You can get updates directly from your carrier at any time through our secure messaging system.
• Mobile Notifications: You'll receive automatic alerts when the status of your shipment changes.

Our interactive system creates a clear and undisputable record of the vehicle's condition:

• Vehicle Diagrams: Carriers use a standardized vehicle diagram to mark the exact location of any pre-existing damage.
• Photo Integration: Carriers upload high-resolution photos of all sides of the vehicle, the odometer, and any noted damage.
• Timestamp Verification: All photos and digital signatures are timestamped for accuracy.
• Digital Bill of Lading: All this information is tied directly to the legally binding Digital BOL, which you can access anytime.

Our paperless system modernizes documentation:

• Digital Signatures: Legally binding electronic signatures
• Auto-Population: Vehicle and customer data pre-filled
• Photo Attachments: Link inspection photos directly to BOL
• Instant Distribution: All parties receive copies immediately
• Cloud Storage: Permanent, searchable record keeping
• Mobile Friendly: Complete BOL process on smartphone or tablet

We use enterprise-grade security measures:

• End-to-End Encryption: All data encrypted in transit and at rest
• SOC 2 Compliance: Industry-standard security auditing
• AWS Infrastructure: Hosted on Amazon's secure cloud platform
• PCI Compliance: Secure payment processing standards
• Regular Security Audits: Third-party penetration testing
• Data Privacy: GDPR and CCPA compliant privacy practices

Our verification process is comprehensive:

• DOT Number Verification: Active registration with Department of Transportation
• Insurance Verification: Current commercial auto insurance certificates
• Safety Score Review: CSA scores and FMCSA safety ratings
• Business License Check: Valid operating authority and business registration
• Background Screening: Business and operational history review
• Equipment Inspection: Proper auto transport equipment requirements
• Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of safety records and ratings

Multiple layers of insurance protection:

• Carrier Insurance: All carriers must carry commercial auto insurance
• Cargo Coverage: Specific coverage for vehicles being transported
• Liability Insurance: Protection for third-party damage claims
• Platform Insurance: Additional coverage through Direct Auto Ship
• Verification Required: Current insurance certificates verified before carrier approval
• Claims Support: We assist with insurance claim filing if needed

Our fair dispute resolution system:

• Direct Communication First: Encourage parties to resolve issues directly
• Platform Mediation: Our team mediates if direct resolution fails
• Evidence Review: Review all photos, documents, and communications
• Expert Consultation: Industry experts evaluate complex cases
• Fair Resolution: Binding decisions based on evidence and platform terms
• Escrow Protection: Funds held until resolution is reached
• Appeals Process: Option to appeal decisions with additional evidence

We use industry-leading security measures:

• Stripe Payment Processing: Bank-level security for all transactions
• No Stored Payment Data: We never store your credit card information
• Encrypted Communications: All messages and data encrypted
• Secure Login: Two-factor authentication available
• Privacy Controls: You control what information carriers can see
• Data Minimization: We only collect necessary information
• Regular Security Updates: Continuous security improvements and monitoring