Moving on a relocation lump sum? Budget the car first.
Your company handed you a number and said "figure it out." Now you're the relocation department. The car is the piece most likely to blow up your budget, because most car shipping quotes go up after you book. Here's how to lock it down.
- A written price you can budget around
- An itemized invoice for HR
- No deposit. Nothing charged until pickup
BBB A+ · Torch Award for EthicsSince 2002. Same owner.USDOT 2310535 · MC 787159
Get your guaranteed quote
Step 1 of 2Step 2 of 2Built from what carriers are being paid on your route right now. Then a real person calls to plan it around your move.
✓ No deposit✓ Never sold to other brokers✓ The price we send is the price you pay✓ A real person calls you
Where a lump sum usually goes
| Line item | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Household goods (movers or a container) | Get binding or not-to-exceed estimates. A low estimate that grows on moving day eats your sum. |
| Your car | Get a written price that can't change after booking. No deposit, no cash at delivery. |
| Travel to the new city | Flights or the drive: gas, hotels, meals and days off work. |
| Temporary housing | If the closing or the lease doesn't line up, this adds up fast. |
| Deposits and setup | Utilities, rental deposits, new registration and license fees. |
| Taxes | Lump sums are usually taxable. Ask HR if yours is grossed up. |
Why the car is the risky line item
Most car shipping quotes are a lowball to win the click. You book, the broker posts your car at a price no truck will take, and two days before pickup you get the call: "The carrier needs $400 more." Your lump sum doesn't grow to match.
With us, your price is written into your contract. If a truck costs more than we quoted, we pay the difference. Your budget stays your budget. How the guarantee works.
What to hand your HR team
- An itemized invoice from us for the car shipment (ask and we'll send it)
- Your pickup inspection report, if they want proof of the shipment date
- Receipts for everything else, kept in one folder from day one
If your company uses a relocation company
Ask your relocation counselor whether car shipping is covered separately. If it is, give them our name. We work as a supplier to relocation companies. For relocation companies.
Keep reading
Lump sums
Questions about moving on a stipend
What is a relocation lump sum?
A fixed amount your employer pays you to cover your move, instead of booking and paying for each piece. You decide how to spend it. In NEI's 2026 survey of 202 companies, 53% offered lump-sum-only relocation, and $10,000 was the most common amount at manager level and above.
Is my relocation lump sum taxable?
Usually, yes. Many employers "gross up" the payment to cover the tax, and many don't. Ask your HR team how yours works, and talk to a tax professional. We're not tax advisors.
Can I get a receipt for my car shipment?
Yes. Ask and we'll send an itemized invoice you can submit to HR or keep for your records.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car on a lump sum?
For 500+ mile moves, it's often closer than people think once you add hotels, meals, gas and days off work. Run your numbers, then compare them to a written quote.
How do I make my lump sum go further?
Get written prices before you spend anything, book 3–4 weeks out, be flexible on your pickup date if you can, and use open transport for an everyday car. And never book a car shipper whose price can change after you sign.
Lock in the car before you spend the rest.
Get your written price online in minutes. A real person calls to plan it around your start date.