Licensing & Insurance
Auto transport is a regulated industry. Here is how our licensing works, how we vet the carriers that haul for you, and how your vehicle is insured from pickup to delivery.
Broker Licensing
Badger Vehicle Shipping operates as a property broker registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates interstate vehicle transport. Brokers are required to hold operating authority, maintain a $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) or trust fund that protects carriers and shippers, and designate process agents in every state. Our registration and bond can be verified on the FMCSA SAFER system. Our MC and USDOT numbers are available on request from any office.
How We Vet Carriers
- Active FMCSA operating authority, checked in SAFER
- Satisfactory safety rating and no out-of-service orders
- Current cargo insurance certificate, verified before every dispatch
- Current liability insurance meeting federal minimums
- Carrier history and performance on previous loads
- Equipment appropriate to the vehicle: winch, liftgate, enclosed
How Your Vehicle Is Insured
Every carrier we dispatch holds cargo insurance that covers your vehicle while it is in the carrier's custody, from loading at pickup to unloading at delivery. Typical open-carrier cargo limits are $100,000 to $250,000 per load; enclosed carriers often carry $250,000 to $1,000,000. We verify the certificate before dispatch and can provide a copy on request. The carrier's coverage is primary; your own auto policy may provide secondary coverage, and we recommend checking with your insurer before shipping a high-value vehicle.
Cargo insurance covers damage caused by the carrier during transport. It does not cover personal items inside the vehicle, pre-existing damage, mechanical failure, or acts of God. The inspection recorded on the bill of lading at pickup and delivery is the basis for any claim, which is why we ask you to inspect carefully at both ends.
Verify Us
You can look up any broker or carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Enter the company name or MC number to see its authority status, insurance on file and safety record. We encourage every customer to do this, for us and for any company they consider.
Ready to Ship Your Vehicle?
Get a free, no-obligation quote in about 30 seconds.
- Licensed & insured
- All-in pricing
- Wisconsin-based support