How to Pay for Car Shipping
How do you pay for car shipping? Nothing is charged to book, and nothing until a carrier is assigned. Pay by card in one payment on dispatch, or choose cash on delivery and pay the balance to your driver. 55,697 vehicles shipped, rated 4.8/5 in our post-delivery survey.
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How do you pay for car shipping?
The whole payment process in one paragraph, then each option in detail.
With Navi there is no upfront payment to book, and nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned. You then pay in one of two ways: one payment by card when the carrier is dispatched, or cash on delivery (COD), where a partial payment is charged by card on dispatch and you pay the remaining balance to the driver on delivery.
Many auto transport companies charge as soon as you book. At Navi Auto Transport you pay only once a carrier is actually assigned to your order, so your money never sits with a shipment that has no driver. Prices follow our Price Integrity Promise: nothing about your price changes without your approval. To see what your route costs before you decide, get an instant quote.
Card payment or cash on delivery
Choose the one that fits how you want to pay.
| Option | Paid to Navi (by card) | Paid to the driver | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card payment (billing) | One payment, charged on dispatch | Nothing at delivery | One simple payment, no cash handling |
| Cash on delivery (COD) | A partial payment, charged on dispatch | The remaining balance, at delivery | Splitting the cost, paying most of it when the car arrives |
Not sure what your total will be? The car shipping cost guide shows what real routes cost.
When your money moves
Four moments, and only the last two involve a payment.
Book
No payment. Confirm your details and choose card or COD.
Carrier assigned
Nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned.
Dispatch
Card: one payment. COD: a partial payment on dispatch.
Delivery
COD only: pay the remaining balance to the driver.
Accepted payment methods
What you can use, and who receives it.
| Method | Paid to | When |
|---|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Navi | On dispatch, after a carrier is assigned |
| ACH, Zelle or PayPal | Navi, or the driver on COD orders | On dispatch, or at delivery for a COD balance |
| Cash | The driver (COD balance) | At delivery, with a signed bill of lading as proof |
Card payments are processed through Navi when the carrier is dispatched, and drivers do not take cards at delivery. Drivers typically accept cash, ACH, Zelle or PayPal for a COD balance, so confirm the method with your driver before pickup.
Navi or the driver?
A common question in auto transport: do you pay the broker, the carrier, or both?
1Payments to Navi
Everything charged by card goes through Navi on dispatch. On card orders that is the full transport cost. On COD orders it is a partial payment.
2Payments to the driver
On COD orders only, you pay the remaining balance directly to the driver at delivery. The driver is paid promptly on completing the service, and you get a signed bill of lading as proof of payment.
How secure are car shipping payments?
What protects your money and your card details.
1Encrypted card processing
Card payments are processed through encrypted, PCI-compliant systems that protect your sensitive information.
2Receipts for every payment
You get an instant confirmation and a digital receipt after each payment is processed.
3Nothing paid before a carrier
No upfront payment to book, and nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned to your order.
4Proof at delivery
COD balances are settled with the driver at delivery, with a signed bill of lading as proof of payment.
Cancellations and price changes
Clear rules, so there are no surprises.
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| Cancel before dispatch | Free. Nothing has been charged yet. |
| Cancel after dispatch | A $199 cancellation fee applies. |
| Your route, vehicle or timing changes | We explain the adjustment first. Nothing changes without your approval. |
| Your lane's price moves after booking | We call you first: approve the new price, or cancel free before dispatch. |
Want the full picture of how an order runs from quote to delivery? See how car shipping works, or read the timeline guide for pickup and delivery windows.
Ready to ship your car with Navi?
Instant quote · Door-to-door · No upfront payment
Car shipping payments — common questions
Straight answers to what customers ask before they book.