FAQs
How long will it take to ship my car?
0-500 Miles: 0-1 Day
501-1,000 Miles: 2-3 Days
1,001-1,500 Miles: 3-5 Days
1,501-2,000 Miles: 4-7 Days
2,001-2,500 Miles: 5-7 Days
2,501-3,000 Miles: 7-10 Days
3,001-3,500 Miles: 10-14 Days
Once your designated carrier is assigned you will receive a precise ETA for your shipment.
How fast can Mercury find a carrier for me?
That’s mostly up to you!
Drivers respond quickest to bids that are both on their route and priced fairly.
We help you price your bid to give you the best chances of getting your vehicle shipped in the timeframe that meets your needs.
Is Mercury Licensed, Bonded & Insured?
Mercury Auto Transport is licensed, Bonded and Insured. Our FMSCA Motor Carrier Number is MC647319.
While we do our best match your auto shipping needs with the most responsible carriers with the best track records, from time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit, it is good to know that the insurance of the carrier we locate for you will protect your auto shipment in that event.
Can I leave personal items in my vehicle?
Yes, however, If you plan to have personal items in your vehicle, you must let your Mercury Agent know so we can get that approved by your assigned carrier.
Generally, we recommend that you do not ship any personal belongings inside your vehicle during your transport.
What's the deal with insurance?
Understanding auto transport insurance is important and we think it’s valuable to explain how it works. As part of providing a great car transport service, it is our job to guarantee that the carrier we assign to pickup your vehicle is licensed and insured. Click here to check out our license.
When you go with Mercury to ship your vehicle, you can rest assured that the carrier assigned to move your car is fully insured and licensed with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration).
Your vehicle is covered by the carrier’s insurance policy that is doing the shipping. Depending on the type and size of the truck/trailer that is shipping your car, the insurance policy can cover from $100,000 to $1,000,000 of damage.
We have also provided a checklist to explain what you need to do at both pickup and delivery in case there are any issues so, you can file a claim and know that everything will be taken care of.
It is rare but, time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit and it is good to know that your carrier’s insurance will protect your auto shipment in that event.
To view a sample BOL (Bill of Lading) and learn what to do in case of accidental damage, please check out our Condition Report and Procedure checklist.
Money
How does Mercury come up my quote?
We feel it’s important for you to know how we determined your quote. Quotes are based on what the market demands for cars to be moved at a given time. Each quote is compared with the current rates on the National Load Board before being sent to our customers and will be reviewed periodically through the process.
Other companies might offer you a lower price to obtain your business. This method is ineffective because if the customer offers a below-market rate, it will run the probability of not getting loaded or transported on time.
Truck drivers always take the loads that pay the most first, leaving the loads that are mispriced to be moved last or not at all.
We try very hard to avoid this with our customers by quoting a fair but realistic quote up front. Visit our How we determine your quote page for more information.
Do I need to put a credit or debit card on file to start the process?
We do not collect a deposit from you until your car is actually assigned to be picked up by a reputable driver for a price you approve.
However, we do take your credit card information before we begin to work on finding you a carrier.
We do this because it is very common for customers to “double book” with multiple brokers thinking this will give them a better shot at getting their vehicle dispatched.
In fact, all brokers are using the same resources to find a carrier for your vehicle. So when a car is “double booked” it only delays the process and confuses the carriers who are searching for their next vehicle to pick up on their route.
By taking your information in advance, it allows us to work on finding you a driver in good faith for our efforts.
If we fail to find you a carrier at a price you are comfortable with there are NO CANCELLATION FEES and your card will NOT be charged. We only ask that you let us work on getting you the best carrier at the best price present their offers to you.
By giving us the assurance of your credit or debit card, we will do the best job possible to get you picked up on the dates you request for the price you want by a reputable carrier.
We do not get paid until you get a driver dispatched to ship your vehicle, so it is always in our interest to do the best job possible for you.
Is the final price firm?
Yes, once you approve the carrier the price is guaranteed. We guarantee the price with the carrier so there is no confusion or surprises.
When is the balance due?
Unlike numerous other shippers, we do not require any money from you until the day your vehicle is assigned to your designated carrier.
At the time you place your order, a credit card is provided to be kept on file. Your credit card will be authorized at the time you place your order. On the date your vehicle is dispatched to the carrier, we will process that payment for the deposit.
The balance is due at delivery with cash or cashier check directly to the carrier. *Ask our agents for credit card and other payment options.
*Please ask about our offshores, overseas, or out of country payment policy. *
What's the cancellation fee?
Nothing. There will never be a cancellation fee, fuel surcharge or any other unnecessary purging of the human spirit.
Do carriers accepts credit or debit for the balance due upon delivery?
Most carriers don’t accept credit cards, and if they do, there is often a 5% fee added. We recommend cash or money order.
Why are some other guys quoting me a lower price?
When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible.
We feel it’s important for you to know how we determine your quote.
When you’re looking for a car shipping rate, you want to understand how auto transport works.
Prices are based on seasonal market demands for cars to be moved at any given time. Each quote is prepared based on the season and the current national rates.
When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible. Not all brokers are created equal in this talent.
Mercury does a thorough background check with each carrier for every shipment. We verify their ratings, references, and in addition, we obtain a certified copy of their insurance certificate, directly from the government agency that it is on file with.
You can have peace of mind knowing that the carrier shipping your vehicle is the very best and that there are no surprises guaranteed.
Can I pay with a check?
Yes. 🙂
Please mail check or money made payable to:
Logistics
What if the truck is too large for my drop off or pick up area?
Most auto transport trucks are quite large, up to 75 feet long. This sometimes makes it impossible to reach many residential areas.
If that’s the case with your auto move, your carrier will attempt to get as close as possible to your delivery location. We can also arrange a convenient location, like a shopping center, to either pick up or deliver your vehicle.
In some cases, we may also be able to negotiate a better rate for you to ship your car if you are willing to meet your driver at a more accessible, convenient location that works for both of you.
They won’t move your car – they just get you in contact with companies that will (like us).
How can I track my vehicle once it's on the truck?
First, your carrier will proactively contact you prior to arrival on the estimated pickup and delivery dates.
Your satisfaction and peace of mind are at the heart of everything we do. Once your vehicle is dispatched, your dedicated Mercury Agent will provide you with all the contact details you need for the carrier. We’re here to ensure you’re fully informed and at ease every step of the way.
Also, while your auto is on its journey, you can contact the driver or dispatcher at anytime for updates. However, due to the nature of their schedules and varying conditions on the road, there may be delays in response.
If you would like to track your car in real-time via GPS, we recommend purchasing and installing an IoT device designed for tracking assets.
Will my car be on the same truck the whole way?
Yes, the vehicle is kept on the same truck the entire time.
Does the carrier come to my door for pick-up and delivery?
That’s the first option depending on your residential community.
It is not at all uncommon for a carrier and customer to arrange to meet at nearby, well-lit place where the truck can fit and where there are no trees.
Is my delivery ETA guaranteed?
Time-frames are not guaranteed in the transportation and logistics industry.
Similar to plane travel, if there is bad weather or the circumstances are outside of control there can be delays.
However, they are usually on time and always in communication either way.
Who's who?
What's an auto transport broker?
Auto transport brokers are the companies make sure that you get a good price on your auto transport and that you only work with certified, licensed carrier companies.
We facilitate communication between you and the carrier; we do all the legwork for everyone and make sure that things get done and scheduled and that your vehicle ultimately gets picked up.
If you’re shopping around for the best price to ship your vehicle, it’s likely that all of the quotes you are getting, including ours, are from brokers.
Brokers do not own the trucks; we locate them for you according to your route, schedule, and budget.
Every quote from a brokerage like ourselves, includes a broker fee and a carrier fee. Most broker fees are a fixed rate and vary from each company.
What's an auto transport carrier?
Carriers physically transport your vehicle from Point A to Point B. They are vital to the industry, as without them vehicles would not be transported at all.
They don’t have the time or resources to find customers, and they rely quite heavily on us to find loads for them to transport.
Carriers run on specific routes and search for vehicles that need transporting along the routes they service; as such, there are thousands of carriers out there transporting across thousands of routes.
We here at Mercury Auto Transport only work with the best auto transport carriers in the industry to transport your vehicle, and you can rest easy with the knowledge that your vehicle will be in good hands when you book with us. You can fill out our free online quote request form or give us a call toll-free at 800-553-1828 to speak to one of our live auto transport representatives who can give you a quote, answer your questions and help you book your order.
What's a quote provider?
Quote providers are companies that operate primarily on the internet and advertise for us brokers. When you fill out their form on their website your information will be sent to anywhere from 5-12 brokers, just like us, who will look at your information, calculate a quote and then e-mail it to you and maybe call you, if you provided your telephone number.
Most brokers rely on auto transport quote providers for a majority of their business; our website is here as an additional resource for our customers, but most of our customers find us through one of the online quote providers that we work with to find customers. They are usually a customer’s first stop when looking for auto transporters.
They won’t move your car – they just get you in contact with companies that will (like us).
What types of carriers are there to choose from?
There are several ways you can ship a car. The options include enclosed trailer, open carrier transport, flatbed truck, door-to-door shipping services, and to or from a terminal as well. The most popular of the options is a 7 to 10 car open carrier. These large trucks can accommodate almost any size vehicle including cars, SUVs, trucks, jeeps, and vans.
Open car transport, door to door is also the best way to get the cheapest auto transport rate possible. To learn more and see what transport method is best for you, please fill out our free quote form and one of our representatives will respond to you within minutes. You can also call us at (800) 553-1828.
We present offers from FMCSA Licensed and Insured Carriers. When you accept an offer, we send your service agreement that guarantees the price, door-to-door service, and 100% bumper-to-bumper insurance. There are never any hidden fees or charges, guaranteed.
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