--- title: Your vehicle is covered - here's exactly how meta_title: "Car Shipping Insurance & Damage Protection | CarShippers.ai" description: "Every CarShippers.ai carrier carries FMCSA-mandated cargo insurance. Learn what's covered, how to use your Bill of Lading, and how to file a damage claim." publisher: Carshippers AI language: en-US og_title: "Car Shipping Insurance & Damage Protection | CarShippers.ai" og_description: "Understand how your vehicle is protected during auto transport. Learn about carrier cargo insurance, the Bill of Lading, damage claims, and what CarShippers.ai requires from every carrier." og_type: website og_url: "https://www.carshippers.ai/insurance" twitter_card: summary_large_image twitter_title: "Car Shipping Insurance & Damage Protection | CarShippers.ai" twitter_description: "Understand how your vehicle is protected during auto transport. Learn about carrier cargo insurance, the Bill of Lading, damage claims, and what CarShippers.ai requires from every carrier." canonical: https://www.carshippers.ai/insurance format: agent-markdown source: static generated: 2026-08-25T12:12:43.048Z breadcrumbs: Home > How it works > Insurance --- breadcrumbs: Home > How it works > Insurance # Your vehicle is covered - here's exactly how > Every carrier dispatched by CarShippers.ai carries FMCSA-mandated cargo insurance. Here's what that means for your car, what the Bill of Lading protects, and what to do if something goes wrong. ### Is my car insured when shipped with CarShippers.ai? Yes. Every carrier in the CarShippers.ai network is required to carry active FMCSA-mandated cargo insurance before being dispatched on your shipment. CarShippers.ai is a licensed auto transport broker (MC #1624892 (fmcsa-mc-number: FMCSA licensed auto transport broker authority MC #1624892)) - the carrier holds and administers the insurance policy that covers your vehicle during transit. ### Who holds the insurance - CarShippers.ai or the carrier? The carrier holds the cargo insurance policy. CarShippers.ai is an FMCSA-licensed broker, not a carrier. Our role is to match you with a vetted, insured carrier and support you through the claim process if needed. Cargo claims are filed directly with the carrier. ### What does carrier cargo insurance cover? Carrier cargo insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs while it is in the carrier's custody - from the moment the pickup Bill of Lading is signed to the moment the delivery BOL is signed. This includes damage from accidents, road debris, and loading or unloading incidents. It does not typically cover pre-existing damage, acts of God, or personal items left inside the vehicle. ### What is a Bill of Lading and why does it matter for insurance? The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the legal document that records your vehicle's condition at pickup and delivery. It is the foundation of any damage claim. If damage is noted at delivery that was not present at pickup, it must be documented on the delivery BOL before the driver leaves. ### How do I file a damage claim? Note any new damage on the delivery Bill of Lading before the driver leaves. Then email damage@carshippers.ai within 24 hours with photos of the damage and copies of both your pickup and delivery BOLs. Per federal regulations (49 CFR Part 370), written claims must be filed with the carrier within 9 months of delivery. ### Does my personal auto insurance cover car shipping damage? Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover damage that occurs during professional vehicle transport. The carrier's cargo insurance is the primary protection. Contact your personal insurer to confirm your specific policy terms before shipping. ### Does enclosed transport provide more insurance coverage? Enclosed transport provides greater physical protection for your vehicle from weather and road debris. The insurance structure is the same - carrier-held cargo insurance applies to both open and enclosed shipments. Carriers running enclosed trailers typically carry higher coverage limits due to the higher-value vehicles they haul. ## Sitemap See the full [markdown sitemap](/sitemap.md) (all pages) and [XML sitemap](/sitemap.xml) (search engines).