Toll Free: 1-888-671-9285
Email: discountAT@gmail.com
After hours, Call or Text:
715-506-0222
Frequently Asked Question About Vehicle Transportation
What to Do (and NOT DO!) in the Transport of Your Vehicle:
Tips for a hassle-free vehicle shipping
DO’S
- Remove personal or valuable items, and other equipment that are not built in, e,g., car phones, garage door openers, etc.
- Clean and wash your vehicle for a proper inspection before pick-up
- Make sure to do a thorough car inspection with the carrier during pick-up. Any existing car damages should be recorded in the Bill of Lading (BOL), and the carrier should give you a copy of this document before taking off.
- Check the battery to ensure that it is fully charged and fastened securely
- Check for any fluid leaks, such as oil, transmission, brake, etc.
- Provide a complete set of keys to the carrier who will ship your car
- If necessary, consider changing the oil, coolant, and other fluids, if car will be transported to a place with a different climate.
DON’T’S!
- Don’t sign any contract unless you have a confirmation via fax or email, about which specific carrier will transport your vehicle, along with the scheduled pick up and delivery.
- Don’t gas up. Limit your gas tank to a max of a quarter (¼) tank of fuel.
- Don’t just accept the vehicle upon delivery without proper inspection based on the Bill of Lading (BOL) accomplished at pick up point. This is your opportunity to claim for damages, if any. Should there be damages not originally noted on the Bill of Lading, make sure you note it on the condition report, have the carrier sign the condition report, and keep a copy of the document.
- Don’t enable or arm your car alarm.
- Don’t just go with the cheapest quote. Ask for referrals from your dealer, family and friends. Always look for a bonded and licensed auto shipper, with a BBB Rating of at least A- or higher. Read reviews from public facing websites rather than those from review websites.
What Affects Transport Pricing
Vehicle Make
A higher budget is needed for the bigger, taller and heavier vehicles, since they require "more room” to transport. Modified vehicles (e.g., lowered suspension, lift kits, etc.) may also cost more to ship.
Car Running or Not
Inoperable vehicles can be more expensive to ship because they need more time and special care to be moved from one place to another.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
If you want your precious vehicle to be free from outside elements (such as rain, dust, snow, etc.), then consider paying more for an enclosed transport.
Shipping Distance
The farther and more remote the destination is between the pickup point and delivery address, the more expensive the shipping cost could be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Your Car:
Q: What type of vehicles do you ship?
We ship all types of cars - all makes and models: Cars, trucks, convertibles, exotics, classics, you name it! For specialty vehicles, we use enclosed transport trailers to protect your exotic/classic/sports car.
Q: How do I arrange to have my vehicle shipped?
It’s as simple as 1,2,3.
- Place Your Order with Mike's Discount Auto Transport
- Send us your deposit. We accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
- We place your vehicle with the truck which will transport it.
Q: How do I know my automobile will be in safe hands?
The United States Government requires all commercial auto transport companies to acquire a valid FMCSA license and maintain proof of insurance. To validate an auto transport company, you can contact the Federal Highway Administration see that they have all the proper paperwork and are fully licensed and insured.
If the transport company in question does not have the appropriate paperwork you will NOT be protected in something should happen to your vehicle during transit. Call 202-358-7000 to speak to a government representative. Mike’s Discount Auto Transport is fully licensed and insured. Our Motor Carrier (MC)# is 807906.
Q: How long does it take to transport my car?
As soon as we process your order we will we will schedule a pickup and delivery date as soon as possible. To receive cheaper or discounted rates, we recommend being flexible with you schedule and willing to meet the truck when it arrives or drops off. The transport driver will contact you with approximate drop-off and pickup times. Full payment will be required at the drop-off destination.
Q: Can my vehicle be delivered directly to my home or office?
Yes, however: if your home or office is in a difficult to reach area (narrow streets, low power lines, etc), the driver will request meeting somewhere more accessible, such as a nearby parking lot. Please keep in mind, transport trucks are large and certain neighborhoods can be difficult to circumnavigate, your assistance, support and understanding are greatly appreciated. To avoid help avoid complications, It is often beneficial to select a nearby parking lot in advance to assist with the delivery of your vehicle.
Q: Will my delivery arrive on time?
We try to estimate transit times as closely as possible.
Weather and road conditions can cause delays. Unfortunately, no delivery company can calculate the exact time of arrival or departure until they are close to the area. We will follow up with you to ensure you are happy with our service. It is our hope that you will use Mike's DAT again and again.
Q: Will my personal belongings be insured during the move?
As dictated by Federal Law, Mike’s Discount Auto Service will not be responsible for any personal belongings stored in your vehicle during transport.
If another third party transport company is suggesting to you that you can ship personal items inside the vehicle, we recommend against it. This is a common sales strategy to get you to place an order with them – your items will not be insured and you are shipping them at your own risk.
Q: During transport, what type of insurance will my car have?
The Federal Highway Administration requires the transporter to carry the insurance on your car. The insurance is only provided by the company physically transporting your vehicle. Upon request, we will provide you with the transporter’s insurance information to help assure you your vehicle is in safe hands.
Q: What form of payments do you accept?
We currently accept VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Initial orders may be phoned or mailed in. (Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting online orders.) Upon delivery, you must pay the driver C.O.D. the remaining invoice. The driver will not be able to release your vehicle without payment in full.
Q: What if my car doesn't run?
Even if your vehicle does not run, we can still move it. However, there will additional fees involved. If your vehicle is not in working order, transport becomes more complicated. Please supply this information on our initial estimate so we can get you the best price.
Q: Is the deposit included in the quote?
Yes - At Mike's DAT, we pride ourselves on No Hidden Fees! All expenses, including insurance and taxes, are included in your original price quote so you will not be billed for anything else.