Car Shipping FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about pricing, pickup, delivery, insurance, and how auto transport works.
General Questions
To ship your car, you request a quote, confirm your price, and we assign a verified carrier to pick up and deliver your vehicle safely, with your pickup window confirmed by your agent. The process includes scheduling pickup, inspecting the car, and confirming delivery.
For a full step-by-step guide, visit our How Auto Transport Works page.
Mercury Shield is our internal carrier-screening and shipment-oversight process — it is not a separate network or load board. Carriers are sourced through Central Dispatch and other national dispatch tools, then verified for active operating authority, insurance, safety ratings, and service quality before being approved to move your vehicle. This gives you added peace of mind every time.
Mercury offers transparent, agent-confirmed pricing and verified carriers across our Standby, Priority, and Rush service tiers — no bait-and-switch quotes or cash-on-delivery risks. We handle your shipment end-to-end, monitor the carrier, and confirm your pickup window before dispatch.
Yes. Every carrier we assign must maintain cargo insurance, and Mercury verifies the carrier’s active operating authority and cargo coverage before dispatch. Your car is covered for damage while in transit, typically up to $100,000–$1,000,000 depending on the trailer, subject to the carrier’s policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Acts of God and undisclosed vehicle conditions are common exclusions.
You can request a quote on our website by entering your pickup and delivery details, vehicle type, and condition. All quotes are based on real market data and confirmed by a Mercury agent.
Yes, we can ship inoperable vehicles. Just let us know in advance so we can assign a carrier equipped with a winch or lift gate. A small fee applies since special equipment is required for loading and unloading.
Pricing & Payments
The cost depends on distance, vehicle size, and service tier (Standby, Priority, or Rush). Most cross-country shipments range from $900–$1,500 for open carriers. Your Mercury agent confirms the final price before dispatch — no hidden fees, no surprise charges.
Your card or secure bank transfer is charged in full once your vehicle is assigned to a carrier, usually 24–72 hours before your first pickup date. You never pay drivers directly — everything is handled securely through Mercury.
No deposit is charged when you book. You’re only billed once your carrier is assigned. If you cancel before carrier assignment, you’re never charged.
No. Once your Mercury agent confirms your price based on accurate vehicle details, that’s the price you pay — no added fees later.
We accept credit/debit cards or secure bank transfer, paid directly to Mercury for secure processing. This protects you from scams — avoid anyone asking for Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or cash at delivery.
You can cancel anytime before your carrier is assigned and you won’t be charged. Once the carrier is assigned and dispatched, the payment becomes non-refundable since the carrier has been booked for your vehicle.
Pickup & Delivery
Most vehicle shipments in 2025 take 3–7 days for standard routes within the continental U.S. Shorter routes (under 500 miles) often arrive within 1–2 days, while coast-to-coast deliveries can take up to 10 days, depending on carrier availability and weather.
When you book your shipment, your agent confirms a pickup window based on your selected service tier — Standby, Priority, or Rush. The exact pickup date and time are confirmed 24–72 hours in advance, once your carrier is assigned and the order is dispatched.
Delivery is then coordinated directly with the carrier based on their route and your availability, so you’ll always know when to expect your vehicle.
You don’t have to be there in person, but someone you trust should be available to sign the Bill of Lading and inspect the vehicle at pickup and delivery. A friend, family member, or authorized representative works perfectly.
If no one is available, contactless pickup or delivery may be arranged depending on the carrier and location. Your agent can help coordinate leaving the vehicle in a safe location with instructions for the key.
You select your preferred pickup window when booking. With our Priority and Rush tiers, your agent confirms that pickup window in writing before dispatch.
The customer or an authorized adult must be available at pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading. If the customer cannot attend, a trusted adult may act as the authorized representative.
Yes, most shipments are door-to-door. If the truck can’t access your street safely, the driver will meet you nearby in a large, open area such as a parking lot.
Vehicle Safety & Insurance
Yes. Every carrier Mercury assigns must maintain cargo insurance, and Mercury verifies the carrier’s active operating authority and cargo coverage before dispatch. Coverage usually ranges from $100,000 to $1,000,000, depending on trailer type, subject to the carrier’s policy limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
Your car is protected against almost any transport-related damage. The main exceptions are “acts of God” (like hail or flooding) and windshield/glass cracks or mechanical issues, though additional coverage options are available if you’d like extra protection.
When you choose our Priority or Rush tier, our operations team provides managed claims assistance, helping you handle any potential claim directly with the carrier. With Standby, we provide guidance and the carrier’s insurance information so you can manage the claim directly.
We also provide a Condition Report & Procedure Checklist that explains what to do at pickup and delivery and how to file a claim if needed.
First, note any damage on the Bill of Lading upon delivery and take photos. Then contact our operations team — we’ll guide you through the claim directly with the carrier’s insurance.
Yes, up to 100 pounds in the trunk is fine. If you plan to include more, let us know so we can add it to your booking. Heavier items may add a small per-pound fee.
Every carrier goes through Mercury Shield vetting — we verify FMCSA licensing, insurance, safety ratings, and performance history before approval.
Open transport is the most common and cost-effective option. Enclosed transport offers extra protection for luxury, exotic, or classic cars against weather and road debris.
Choosing between open and enclosed carriers affects price, protection, and delivery time.
Locations & Availability
Yes, we ship vehicles to and from all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, through our trusted carrier network.
Yes, we coordinate land and sea transport for vehicles going to or from Alaska and Hawaii. Contact us for exact timing and pricing.
Yes. We offer export and import services through our logistics partners. We handle documentation and port coordination.
It’s simple: get your quote, confirm your order, and we’ll assign a carrier from our network. Florida to California shipments usually take 7–10 days.
Mercury serves every state in the U.S. and major international routes. Whether it’s local, cross-country, or overseas, our carrier network covers it.
After-Booking Support
Once dispatched, you’ll receive carrier details and contact info for updates. Our Priority and Rush customers also get proactive updates from our operations team.
You can contact your assigned Mercury agent or our operations support team by phone, text, or email at any time during your shipment.
Clean your car, remove personal items, leave only about a quarter tank of gas, and take photos before pickup. The driver will inspect and sign off on its condition.
We also provide a Condition Report & Procedure Checklist that explains what to do at pickup and delivery and how to file a claim if needed.
Simply, contact your Mercury agent as soon as possible. We’ll adjust your booking and communicate any changes to the carrier for you.
Delays are rare but can occur due to weather or logistics. If that happens, our operations team will update you immediately and work to minimize any delay.
Industry & Broker Transparency
A carrier is the company that physically transports your vehicle on a truck. A broker arranges the shipment by matching you with a licensed and insured carrier.
Mercury is a licensed broker that works only with pre-vetted carriers screened through Mercury Shield — ensuring every shipment is compliant and covered under the carrier’s cargo insurance.
A real quote comes from a licensed broker with an active USDOT and MC number you can verify on the FMCSA website. Fake or “bait” quotes are often unrealistically low and used just to win your business — the price usually goes up later.
Mercury’s quotes are confirmed upfront by a real agent across our Standby, Priority, and Rush tiers, so what you see is what you pay.
Prices vary because many brokers post loads publicly and hope carriers accept them at lower bids — a risky, outdated method.
Mercury sources carriers through Central Dispatch and other national dispatch tools, but every carrier is screened through Mercury Shield before assignment. Your agent confirms your price before dispatch, so it won’t change once confirmed.
No — not all brokers meet federal requirements. Always verify a broker’s USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA site before booking. Mercury is fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and every carrier we assign meets those same federal standards for coverage and compliance.