Terms of Service — Verified Auto Transport

Last Updated: [DATE]

DRAFT — This document must be reviewed by legal counsel before production deployment.

1. Overview

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Verified Auto Transport platform ("Platform," "we," "us," "our") located at verifiedautotransport.com. By creating an account or using our services, you agree to these Terms.

Verified Auto Transport is a technology platform that connects customers who need to ship vehicles with independently operated, FMCSA-verified auto transport carriers. We are not a motor carrier, freight broker, or freight forwarder. We provide a marketplace for dispatch matching, digital contract facilitation, real-time tracking, and shipment record keeping.

2. Platform Role and Relationship

What We Do

  • Match your shipment with verified, insured auto transport carriers
  • Facilitate digital transport contracts through Dropbox Sign
  • Provide real-time GPS tracking during transit
  • Record vehicle inspection data on the Polygon blockchain for tamper-proof documentation
  • Process the platform fee payment through Stripe

What We Do Not Do

  • We do not transport vehicles. Carriers are independent operators.
  • We do not hold, escrow, or transfer carrier payment. The carrier collects their transport fee directly from you at delivery.
  • We do not set carrier pricing. Carriers submit their own bids based on your shipment details.
  • We do not employ carriers or drivers. Carriers on the platform operate under their own FMCSA authority.

3. Fees and Payment

Platform Fee

The Platform charges a flat fee of $85 per booking. This fee is:

  • Collected at the time of booking, before a carrier is assigned to your shipment
  • Processed through Stripe's secure, PCI-compliant payment system
  • The same amount regardless of distance, vehicle value, or transport type
  • Not a percentage, deposit, or portion of the carrier's transport rate

Carrier Transport Rate

The carrier's transport rate is separate from the platform fee. The carrier rate is established through the bidding process and confirmed in your binding quote. You pay the carrier directly at delivery. The Platform never collects, holds, or processes the carrier's payment.

Minimum Pricing

The minimum carrier transport rate on the Platform is $250. Combined with the $85 platform fee, the minimum total cost for any shipment is $335.

4. Quotes and Booking

Instant Quotes

Instant quotes provide a non-binding price range based on your route, vehicle type, transport method, and current market conditions. Instant quotes do not require an account and are for informational purposes only.

Binding Quotes

A binding quote locks in a specific price for seven (7) days. Binding quotes require:

  • A valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for each vehicle
  • Verified pickup and delivery addresses (validated through Google Places)
  • An active customer account

You may only proceed to booking from a binding quote that has not expired.

Booking Confirmation

A booking is confirmed when:

  1. You pay the $85 platform fee
  2. You sign the digital transport contract

    3. After booking, the Platform dispatches your shipment to eligible carriers. Carrier assignment is not guaranteed at the time of booking.

    Order Limits

    Maximum of 10 vehicles per order.

    5. Cancellation and Refunds

    Before Carrier Assignment

    If you cancel your booking before a carrier has been assigned to your shipment, you will receive a full refund of the $85 platform fee. Refunds are processed through Stripe to the original payment method.

    After Carrier Assignment

    Once a carrier has been assigned and the transport contract is signed, the $85 platform fee is non-refundable. This policy exists because the Platform has already performed dispatch matching, carrier coordination, and contract facilitation.

    Refund Processing

    All refunds are processed through Stripe. The Platform does not issue refunds outside of Stripe. Refund timing depends on your payment provider but typically takes 5-10 business days to appear on your statement.

    6. Carrier Verification and Insurance

    Carrier Requirements

    Every carrier on the Platform must meet the following requirements before being approved:

    • Active FMCSA operating authority with a valid MC number
    • Minimum cargo insurance of $100,000
    • Minimum liability insurance of $750,000
    • Manual review and approval by a Platform administrator

    Ongoing Compliance

    • Carriers with insurance expiring within seven (7) days are automatically excluded from dispatch
    • Carriers with suspended accounts cannot receive new shipment offers
    • Carriers involved in active disputes cannot receive new shipment offers
    • The Platform does not auto-approve any carrier application

    Insurance Disclaimer

    While the Platform verifies carrier insurance at onboarding and before each dispatch, the Platform is not the insurer and does not underwrite or guarantee coverage. Insurance claims for vehicle damage during transport are between you and the carrier's insurance provider.

    7. Vehicle Inspections and Bill of Lading

    At both pickup and delivery, the carrier performs a vehicle inspection documenting the condition of your vehicle with photographs. This inspection is recorded on a digital Bill of Lading (BOL) that both parties sign electronically.

    Inspection records are secured on the Polygon blockchain, creating an immutable, timestamped record that cannot be altered after signing. This protects both customers and carriers in any dispute regarding vehicle condition.

    You may not modify the content of a Bill of Lading after any party has signed it.

    8. Disputes and Damage

    Damage Reporting

    If your vehicle sustains damage during transport that was not documented in the pickup inspection, you may file a damage report through the Platform. Damage reports include photographic evidence compared against the blockchain-secured pickup inspection.

    Dispute Resolution

    Disputes are reviewed by a Platform administrator. The Platform does not issue automatic refunds for disputes — all disputes require admin review. The Platform facilitates communication between you and the carrier but does not adjudicate insurance claims.

    9. Tracking and Privacy

    GPS Tracking

    The Platform provides real-time GPS tracking during active shipments. Tracking data is used solely for shipment monitoring and is not sold to third parties.

    Shareable Tracking Links

    You may share a tracking link with up to five (5) contacts. Shared tracking links display shipment location and status only — they do not expose pricing, contract details, or carrier personal information.

    Data Collection

    The Platform collects personal information necessary to facilitate vehicle transport, including account information, vehicle details, addresses, and GPS location data during active shipments. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

    10. Prohibited Uses

    You may not:

    • Provide false or misleading vehicle information (condition, operability, dimensions)
    • Attempt to circumvent the Platform to contact carriers directly before paying the platform fee
    • Use the Platform for any illegal purpose
    • Attempt to access admin, driver, or other user accounts without authorization
    • Interfere with the Platform's systems, security, or other users' experience

    11. Limitation of Liability

    Verified Auto Transport is a technology platform that facilitates connections between customers and independent carriers. We are not liable for:

    • Damage to vehicles during transport (covered by carrier insurance)
    • Delays caused by weather, road conditions, mechanical issues, or carrier scheduling
    • Carrier conduct or performance beyond what is within the Platform's control

    Our total liability to you is limited to the $85 platform fee paid for the relevant booking.

    12. Modifications

    We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to registered users via email. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

    13. Contact

    For questions about these Terms, contact us at support@verifiedautotransport.com.

    DRAFT NOTICE: This document is a content draft prepared for the Verified Auto Transport platform. It must be reviewed and approved by qualified legal counsel before being published on the production website. State-specific consumer protection requirements, FMCSA regulatory language, and other legal considerations may require modifications.