How Auto Transport Works - Auto Shipping Process

What Happens at the Start?

Scheduling Your Pickup - Our auto transport company executive will reach out to you to arrange a convenient time and location for the pickup. Our carriers serve door-to-door delivery or parking as practically as possible for you to confirm.
Before pickup, you'll be contacted by your assigned personal concierge to finalize pickup times and locations. Our carriers aim to provide door-to-door service or get as close to your preferred location as possible.
Vehicle Inspection Before Loading- After the vehicle is picked up, the driver will carry out a thorough inspection of your car, and you will both inspect the current state of your car, by filling in a BOL (Bill of Lading) or a digital form. Important Tip: Make sure you take high-quality photos of your vehicle from all sides, the roof, the insides, and the odometer. Images of the car are important evidence if there is any damage occurring during transportation.
Vehicle Loading - Immediately after the inspection has been conducted, we will securely load your car onto the carrier ready to start its journey to your destination. They follow all safety requirements and protocols to protect your car during the transportation process.

What Happens During Transit?

To be exact, our auto carriers go for around 400-500 miles each day while they keep in mind to take the pickups and deliveries in priority rather than on time.
We want to keep you up-to-date by providing you with useful information.You will be given the driver’s contact details, therefore you can track your car’s status and get info on its arrival time with ease. The driver will always intimate our company and car owner by making a call to determine a location for a convenient drop-off.
Anxiety not—our carriers never just roll up unexpectedly. Before the scheduled time, you will always get a call from us in advance.

What Happens at Delivery?

At the very start of the final leg of your vehicle trip, the carrier driver will get in touch with you, to give you a last 24-hour notice for the delivery day and place to ensure a smooth handover. Our aim is to stay as near to your address as possible while making sure accessibility and safety are still intact.
Final Vehicle Inspection, doing a final check of your vehicle is a must. Rounding your vehicle checking every side and the top as well as the inside being cautious for scratches or other damages could be a good place to start. You will also need to be sure that there are no unnecessary miles added to your car so, you should check and compare your odometer reading with the initial inspection.
Important: New damages need to be written down on the Bill of Lading (BOL) in addition to taking pictures immediately. If any damage is not reported to the transportation carrier, it is possible that filing a claim with their insurance might not be a success.
If things are okay after the inspection that is scheduled, you can pick up your car and go home. Get the advantage of getting the car brought to your place by First Haulers in a very safe and efficient way!

Prepare Your Car or other Vehicle for Auto Transport

Before your car is picked up, there are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure it’s ready for transport. Here’s a quick checklist:

Clean your car: This makes it easier to inspect for any pre-existing damage.
Remove personal items: Take out anything that’s not part of the car, like electronics or loose accessories.
Take photos: Document the condition of your car before it’s loaded onto the carrier.
Check fluid levels: Make sure there’s enough gas (about a quarter tank) but not too much, as extra weight can affect shipping costs.
Disable alarms: Turn off any alarm systems to avoid issues during transport.
Bonus: We’ll provide you with a detailed list of preparation steps once you book your transport, so you don’t miss a thing.

Choose right type of Carrier for your Auto Shipping

Once your car is loaded onto the carrier, it’s on its way! Depending on your needs, we offer two types of transport:

Feature	Open Transport	Enclosed Transport
Cost	Affordable	Expensive
Protection	Exposed to weather and debris	Full protection
Vehicle Types	Standard vehicles	Luxury, classic, or high-value cars
Availability	Widely available	Limited carriers

Which type of Shipping be suitable for your vehicle?

Feature	Door to Door	Terminal to Terminal
Convenience	We can pick up and drop off your car from and to locations you specify.	Terminal locations are the points of departure and arrival for the vehicles received and picked up by customers.
Cost	Possibly, the higher price is due to the exclusivity of the service.	Diligent handling generates less extra fees and hence also costs less.
Handling	The car is transported directly, so little handling is required.	The car is transported directly, so little handling is required.
Time	Usually, the time is fast because no picking up at the terminal is needed.	Possibly, it may take longer if a vehicle has to be put in lines for loading and unloading.
Security	This service has the car moving under supervision all through the delivery.	They receive less attention during the transaction but they are nevertheless safely stored.
Availability	They are practically everywhere in the USA.	They are practically everywhere in the USA.
Suitability	I deem them perfect for valuable, classical, or less moveable vehicles	It can also be used for the general transport of standard vehicles under strict conditions and also to satisfy budget-minded clients.

Insurance and Protection

Your peace of mind is our priority. Every transport with Firsthaulers.com includes basic insurance coverage to protect your vehicle during transit. However, we recommend checking with your own insurance provider to see if they offer additional coverage for shipping. If you’d like extra protection, we can help arrange that too.

💡 What’s covered: Our basic insurance covers damage caused during transport, but it’s always a good idea to review your policy for full details.

Tracking Your Shipment

We know how important it is to stay updated on your vehicle’s journey. That’s why we offer real-time tracking through your personal Concierge. Once your car is on its way, you can call us anytime to ask its current location and estimated delivery time. No more guessing or waiting for updates—we keep you informed every step of the way.

Why Choose Firsthaulers.com?

At Firsthaulers.com, we’re more than just an auto shipping company—we’re your trusted partner in getting your vehicle where it needs to go. Here’s what sets us apart:

Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, just clear and upfront quotes.

Experienced drivers: Our team is trained to handle your vehicle with care.

Real-time tracking: Stay updated on your car’s journey from pickup to delivery.

Customer-first service: We’re here to answer your questions and ensure a smooth experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled some of the most common questions our customers ask to help you feel even more confident about shipping your car or other vehicle with Firsthaulers.com.

Absolutely! We can transport non-running vehicles, though there may be an additional charge for the extra equipment needed to load and unload them.

Most transport companies are against shipping personal goods because of the liability and weight considerations of the vehicles. Yeah, most of them will allow it. We recommend that you do not pack too many items to avoid exceeding the weight restrictions.

Yes, your car is insured during the transportation. We provide full coverage, but we ideate cross-checking your policy details to understand which aspects are covered and if there are any deductibles that can be applied before shipping.

Yes, either you or someone else should be present during the inspections to sign the documents and check the vehicle's condition during the pickup and delivery process.

It is not possible to transport or ship your car without auto insurance, as you need to drive your vehicle at the pick-up or drop-off point.

You can easily get a free, no-obligation estimate by contacting us through our website or just giving us a call. Provide your pickup and delivery location, the kind of vehicle you have, and desired dates and we will provide a detailed estimate.

How Auto Transport Works with Firsthaulers.com

The Auto Transport Process: Step-by-Step