South Bend, IN Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from South Bend, IN is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from your car. Most carriers don’t insure personal items during transit.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your gas tank is only 1/4 full, and verify the battery is charged and secure.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off custom antennas, spoilers, bike racks, or any aftermarket parts that could get damaged.

Disable alarms: Turn off car alarms to avoid issues during transport.

Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the driver.

For a complete checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. These simple steps help ensure safe, smooth transport from South Bend.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from South Bend, IN. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and current. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered throughout the entire journey from South Bend. You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance information before pickup, so you have complete peace of mind during transport.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from South Bend, IN at least 1-2 weeks in advance. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and bundle your vehicle with others heading in the same direction
• More competitive pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more options to choose pickup dates that work best for you

If you need expedited service, we can often arrange pickups within 24-48 hours, though this may come at a premium price. For the best experience, book as early as possible once you know your moving dates.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open auto transport uses an open-air trailer that carries multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris during transit. This is the most popular option—about 90% of vehicles shipped to and from South Bend use open transport. It’s reliable, affordable, and perfectly safe for most cars.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. This costs 40-60% more than open transport but offers extra security for high-value vehicles.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard vehicle and want the best value. Most cars, trucks, and SUVs ship this way without issues.

Choose enclosed transport if: You own a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or have custom paint work that needs maximum protection.

For most South Bend residents, open transport provides excellent service at a fair price. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service in South Bend, IN. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home or business and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come right to your door in South Bend, whether you’re in the downtown area, near Notre Dame, or in surrounding neighborhoods.

What if the truck can’t reach my exact address?

Sometimes large car carriers can’t access certain streets due to low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or tight turns. If this happens in your South Bend neighborhood, don’t worry. Our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a grocery store parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but we always prioritize safety and follow local traffic laws.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or depot—we bring the service to you.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!