1st Call Auto Haul

How much prior notice does 1st Call Auto Haul need to transport my vehicle?
How much will it cost to ship my vehicle?
How long should an auto transport take?
How does a “pick-up window” work?
What is your refund policy?
Do you have a tracking system?
Do you use terminals or tow yards?
What forms of payment do you accept?
How do I prepare my vehicle for transport?
Does 1st Call Auto Haul offer any discounts?
Can I put my personal belongings in the vehicle?
What should I do if the vehicle arrives with damage?

How much prior notice does 1st Call Auto Haul need to transport my vehicle? [Back to questions]

While most vehicles can be picked up within a few days of placing your order, we recommend at least one week notice to move your automobile. If you have an emergency situation, call our sales department at 888.607.1999 to inquire about our expedited services. Vehicles moving around the holidays need more notice to properly manage the transport of your vehicle.
How much will it cost to ship my vehicle? [Back to questions]

The cost of auto transport is determined by the dimensions of your vehicle, the distance traveled, the cost of fuel, and in some cases the season in which you want to move the vehicle. There are additional fees for expedited services, enclosed transports, and transports of inoperable vehicles. There are also instances of back-hauls and economy transports for off-season moves. Please call our sales office for more information regarding these offers.

How long should an auto transport take? [Back to questions]

There are several factors that determine "transit time". The most time-consuming activity for a carrier is often the actual loading and unloading of the vehicles being hauled. It is a careful coordination of dealership hours, customer work schedules, and allowable hours on the road. Once a carrier is fully loaded, transit time are influenced by weather conditions, total distance traveled, and in rare instances, mechanical delays and DOT mandated required time off. Pick-up and drop-off locations that are close to major interstate highways or located near major cities will likely move more quickly than those located in more rural areas of the country.

Below are some general guidelines for transit times:

East to West:	7 to 11 days
South to North:	4 to 8 days
Midwest to Coasts:	5 to 7 days

How does a “pick-up window” work? [Back to questions]

When carriers refer to a "pick-up window" they are referring to the window of time in which they will schedule a pick-up. Most transporters have a 48-hour window in which they’ll schedule the pick-up of your vehicle, but it is often difficult for them to pinpoint a precise time until several hours before their anticipated arrival. This is due to the coordination of several vehicles being off-loaded from the truck, followed by several vehicles being loaded onto the truck. Again, the carrier must consider, among other things, traffic delays, dealership hours, customer work schedules, and allowable hours on the road.
What is your refund policy? [Back to questions]

Our refund policy is simple. We do not charge our customers until a carrier has been assigned. If we have yet to assign a carrier and you wish to cancel your order, simply call us at 888.607.1999 We strive to provide excellent service; if we do not meet your requirements for a successful move then we understand if you wish to pursue other alternatives for your car shipping needs.
Do you have a tracking system? [Back to questions]

Your reference number will allow us to track your vehicle through the various phases of the transport process. You will also be provided with the drivers name and cell phone number. You can call or email us, or the driver, and we will report back to you promptly.
Do you use terminals or tow yards? [Back to questions]

No, we believe door-to-door service is the best method for transporting automobiles. With door-to-door transport, the carrier will get as close to your doorstep as legally and safely possible. With terminal-to-terminal transports, we feel most of the damage to vehicles occurs while they are switched from transport truck to transport truck or left at a terminal or tow yard. Also, with so many people handling the transport of your vehicle, it is extraordinarily difficult to successfully file a damage claim against the offending carrier. Those companies that offer terminal-to-terminal transports will often hold your vehicle until a truck is ready to transport it. We say, keep your vehicle until we are ready to haul it!
What forms of payment do you accept? [Back to questions]

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We typically only accept funds for our services. However, if you wish to pay the entire transport fee via credit card, then an additional fee of 4% will be assessed. Essentially, we are processing payment for a third party, and those credit card processing fees can be expensive!
How do I prepare my vehicle for transport? [Back to questions]

If possible, 1st Call Auto Haul recommends washing your vehicle prior to transport. A clean vehicle makes it easier for the driver to accurately fill out the vehicle condition report. Also, to keep the vehicle near the manufacturer’s specified weight, we suggest transporting it with no more than ¼ tank of gas. Upon completion of your order, 1st Call Auto Haul will email you a checklist of things to do before you ship your vehicle.
Does 1st Call Auto Haul offer any discounts? [Back to questions]

Sure. 1st Call has a number of incentives available to our customers. Call our customer service department at 888.607.1999 to find out more about our discounts for military personnel, repeat customers, and customers shipping multiple vehicles.
Can I put my personal belongings in the vehicle? [Back to questions]

1st Call Auto Haul does not recommend shipping personal belongings inside your vehicle. However, many carriers will haul items that are "light and out of sight and up to 100 pounds." They do this as a courtesy, since hauling anything aside from your vehicle falls outside of their transportation authority. Please note that auto transport companies are not insured for household goods, and have the sole right to refuse to transport these items. Under no circumstances can the car contain firearms, illegal substances, or hazardous materials.
What should I do if the vehicle arrives with damage? [Back to questions]

Most auto transports are incident free. However, if the vehicle arrives with damage it must be clearly marked on the vehicle condition report, then signed for by the driver. Within 24 hours, a call should be placed to 1st Call Auto Haul and to the carrier to inform them of the damage. We will assist in any and all claims. We also offer 1st Call Auto Haul’s Gap Insurance as an added benefit to all our Platinum, Open and Preferred, Enclosed transports. Please call our sales department for further details.