TransitShield: What It Is, What It Covers, and When to Add It

TransitShield is optional Shipper’s Interest Insurance made available through Web Auto Transport and administered by Tint Embedded Insurance Services, LLC, powered by Tint Trusted Transport. Here's exactly what it covers, what it doesn't, and when it makes sense.

Those are the two things most shippers worry about when booking auto transport: will the price change? And what happens if something happens to my car? We built a product for each.

TransitShield is an optional Shipper's Interest Transit Insurance, provided by Tint Trusted Transport, a named, per-VIN policy that covers your vehicle from the moment it's first moved at pickup through final delivery at your destination. It's $99 per vehicle, flat rate, with a $100 deductible and up to $200,000 in coverage per vehicle.

Important Eligibility Requirement

TransitShield provides coverage for eligible vehicles against covered direct physical loss or damage during transportation. Coverage is subject to the applicable master policy, Certificate of Insurance, endorsements, exclusions, limits, and eligibility requirements.

Web Auto Transport is not the insurer and does not decide whether a claim is covered. The insurer identified in your Certificate of Insurance makes all coverage and claim decisions.

Coverage is available only when:

• The customer and shipment satisfy Tint’s eligibility requirements;
• The vehicle is declared through the approved platform;
• The required premium is paid before Transit begins; and
• A Certificate of Insurance or other written coverage confirmation is issued.

The Numbers at a Glance

The Certificate of Insurance and underlying policy control if they differ from this summary. Prices, deductibles, limits, and eligibility requirements may change for future shipments.

Why TransitShield Exists

Every shipment through Web Auto Transport is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. That's required by federal law and included at no extra charge. For most shipments, it's sufficient.

But carrier cargo policies have real limitations that customers often don't find out about until after something goes wrong:

• Higher deductibles. Many carrier policies carry deductibles of $1,000-2,500. TransitShield has a $100 deductible.
• Shared aggregate limits. A carrier's $250,000 cargo policy covers the entire trailer load of 7-9 vehicles. In a severe incident, that's divided across multiple claims. TransitShield is per-VIN, your vehicle has its own dedicated limit.
• More exclusions. Carrier policies often exclude ordinary weather events, certain loading scenarios, and edge cases. TransitShield is written specifically for vehicle transit with clearer coverage triggers.
• Harder claims process. Claims against a carrier's policy go through the carrier's insurer. TransitShield claims go directly through Tint, a digital-first process with a 7-day resolution target.

TransitShield doesn't replace the carrier's coverage. It sits alongside it, filling the gaps and giving you a cleaner, customer-friendly policy as your primary recourse.

When Coverage Begins and Ends

TransitShield coverage begins when the Motor Carrier first moves the vehicle at the origin for immediate loading.

Subject to the policy, coverage continues during:

• Loading;
• Carriage;
• Unloading;
• Temporary stops incidental to transportation;
• A reasonable route deviation or transportation delay, subject to the policy’s reporting requirements;
• Necessary towing following covered physical damage;
• Up to five days of necessary storage resulting directly from covered physical damage; and
• Up to ten days for an undeliverable vehicle awaiting reshipment, return or another authorized disposition.

Coverage ends when the vehicle is delivered to the final destination shown in the coverage documents or is unloaded at another location where transportation terminates, whichever occurs first.

A route change, address change or unusual delay must be reported to Tint immediately after discovery. Additional premium may be required.

What TransitShield Covers

Subject to the complete policy terms and exclusions, TransitShield covers direct physical loss of or damage to an eligible vehicle occurring during Transit.

Covered events and expenses include:

• Direct physical vehicle damage during loading, carriage or unloading;
• Theft or total loss of the vehicle;
• Damage from ordinary wind, rain, hail, water or dust typically encountered during Transit;
• Reasonable towing costs directly resulting from covered physical damage;
• Up to five days of necessary storage directly resulting from covered physical damage;
• Reasonable expenses necessary to prevent additional damage after a covered loss;
• Reasonable route deviations or delays, when reported as required; and
• Limited continued coverage for an undeliverable vehicle, subject to the ten-day maximum and other policy conditions.

Coverage is not automatic merely because an event appears on this list. Tint and the insurer evaluate each claim under the applicable policy and Certificate of Insurance.

What TransitShield Does NOT Cover

TransitShield does not cover every type of loss.

Exclusions under Tint’s currently published policy include:

• Pre-existing or concealed damage;
• Ordinary wear and tear;
• Neglect;
• Rust, oxidation or discoloration involving unpacked or unprotected property;
• Electrical, electronic or mechanical breakdown unless caused by a covered peril;
• Insufficient or unsuitable preparation, packing, stowage or securing performed by the Covered Shipper or its representatives;
• Loss or damage caused by acts or omissions of the Covered Shipper or its employees, agents or representatives;
• Personal belongings, loose goods or unsecured items inside the vehicle;
• Property not permanently attached to the vehicle;
• Loss of use, lost income, lost revenue or loss of market;
• Diminished value following repair or resale;
• Government seizure, confiscation or destruction;
• Shipping charges, return freight, duties, taxes, penalties or administrative expenses, except where the policy specifically provides coverage;
• Incidental or consequential losses;
• War, rebellion, terrorism, nuclear events or radiation;
• Hurricanes;
• Tornadoes;
• Floods;
• Earthquakes or earth movement;
• Wildfires;
• Severe blizzards; and
• Named storms or other major weather events causing widespread disruption.

The extreme-weather exclusion is not limited exclusively to storms that have been given a name. Ordinary wind, rain, hail, water and dust normally encountered during Transit may be covered, but the severe events listed above are excluded.

TransitShield also does not cover:

• Vehicles with an Actual Cash Value exceeding $200,000;
• Recreational vehicles or motorhomes;
• Motorcycles;
• Trailers;
• Mobile homes;
• Boats or watercraft; or
• Other vehicle classes not expressly accepted by the insurer.

Vehicle Eligibility

If your vehicle is worth more than $200,000, TransitShield is not the right product. Contact us at (760) 932-2886 and we'll arrange a carrier with a higher cargo policy limit appropriate for your vehicle's value.

How Vehicle Value Is Determined

For a covered loss, the maximum insured value is the lowest of:

1. $200,000;
2. The vehicle’s Actual Cash Value at the final destination; or
3. The declared value submitted before Transit, provided that it reasonably reflects the vehicle’s Actual Cash Value.

Tint or the insurer may adjust a declared value that does not reasonably reflect Actual Cash Value.

Repair claims are based on reasonable fair-market repair costs and cannot exceed the insured value. The policy does not cover diminished value after repairs.

If multiple covered vehicles belonging to the same Covered Shipper are transported as one Load and the combined losses exceed the aggregate limit, payments may be allocated proportionally under the policy.

Required Vehicle Photographs

Photographic documentation is a condition of coverage.

Before shipment, the Covered Shipper or its designated representative must take and retain clear, date-and-time-stamped photographs showing:

• All four sides of the vehicle;
• The top or roof;
• The bottom or undercarriage; and
• The vehicle as it is loaded, packed or secured for transportation.

At delivery, take additional date-and-time-stamped photographs showing:

• The vehicle’s condition upon receipt;
• Every area of claimed damage;
• The vehicle’s overall condition; and
• Any relevant packaging, covering or securing materials.

Failure to provide the required photographs may result in denial of the claim.

These photographs are separate from the pickup and delivery inspections recorded on the Bill of Lading. Customers should complete both.

How to Add TransitShield

TransitShield is selected at the time of booking, per vehicle. You pay $99 per VIN. It's that simple, no underwriting questionnaire, no medical-style application, no phone call required.

Once added, you receive documentation confirming coverage. The policy activates when the carrier first moves your vehicle at pickup.

You can cancel TransitShield any time before Transit begins for a full refund. Once the carrier picks up your vehicle, coverage cannot be cancelled.

How to File a Claim

Before Shipment (Required)

As a condition of coverage, you must take clear, date- and time-stamped photographs of your vehicle before shipment:

• All four sides, the roof, and the underside
• The vehicle as loaded and secured for transit

Without pre-shipment photos, a claim may be denied. This is the same preparation we recommend for every shipment regardless of whether you add TransitShield.

At Delivery

Take date-stamped photos of the vehicle upon receipt, showing any damage.

Report Within 7 Days

You must notify Tint within 7 days of discovering any loss. Include:

• Photos (pre- and post-shipment)
• Bill of Lading (pickup and delivery)
• Any police report (for theft, vandalism, or criminal acts)

Where to File

• Email: support@tint.ai
• Phone: (909) 505-2338
• Portal: Accessible through your booking confirmation

Most valid claims are resolved within 7 days of approval.

TransitShield vs. Carrier Cargo Insurance: Side by Side

Who Should Add TransitShield?

Strong case for adding it:

• You're shipping a vehicle worth $20,000 or more
• You want a low $100 deductible rather than the carrier's higher one
• You want a named, per-VIN policy that's yours, not shared across a trailer
• You want a fast digital claims process directly with the insurer
• You're shipping an EV, luxury vehicle, or recently purchased car
• You're shipping a vehicle you can't easily replace

You can likely skip it:

• You're shipping a high-mileage daily driver with low market value
• You've confirmed your personal auto insurance covers transit damage
• You have a strong relationship with the carrier's insurer already

Q&A

Q: Is TransitShield required to ship with Web Auto Transport?

No. It is completely optional. The carrier's cargo insurance covers every shipment automatically. TransitShield is an add-on for customers who want additional peace of mind.

Q: Can I add TransitShield after I've already booked?

Yes, as long as Transit hasn't started. Contact us at (760) 932-2886 or info@webautotransport.com or LiveChat and we'll add it before your carrier picks up the vehicle.

Q: What if both the carrier's insurance and TransitShield cover the same loss?

TransitShield is written as primary coverage. If multiple policies respond to the same loss, coverage is shared proportionally so you're not compensated more than the actual loss amount.

Q: Does TransitShield cover hail damage?

Yes. Ordinary hail during transit is covered. What's excluded is catastrophic named storm events (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.). Hail during a normal thunderstorm is covered.

Q: My car is worth $250,000. Can I use TransitShield?

No. TransitShield covers vehicles with an ACV of $200,000 or less. For vehicles above this value, call us at (760) 932-2886 and we'll arrange a carrier with a higher cargo policy limit.

Q: Is there a deductible I have to pay?

Yes, $100 per claim. This is among the lowest deductibles in the auto transport industry.

Q: What if my vehicle is inoperable?

Inoperable vehicles are eligible for TransitShield as long as their ACV is $200,000 or less.

Q: Can I get proof of coverage?

Yes. A Certificate of Insurance is issued for each covered shipment. Contact us or Tint directly for documentation.

For the complete current policy language, review the TrustedTransport policy documentation provided by Tint.

Add TransitShield at booking. Call (760) 932-2886 / (760) WEB-AUTO or LiveChat | info@webautotransport.com | webautotransport.com | USDOT #4574725 | FMCSA Licensed & Bonded.