Columbia, SC Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Columbia, SC is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the pre-transport inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure the battery is charged and connections are secure.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or loose trim. Remove toll tags, GPS devices, and fragile items that could break during transport.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup. Note any scratches, dents, or other issues.

Have keys ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver. Keep a spare for yourself.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup and delivery of your vehicle from Columbia, SC.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Columbia, SC. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

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

This comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from pickup in Columbia through delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected every mile of the journey.

For car shipping from Columbia, SC, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible scheduling options.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can group your vehicle with other shipments heading the same direction
• More scheduling flexibility: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from
• Peak season protection: Summer months and holidays fill up quickly in Columbia

That said, we understand plans change. Sherpa Auto Transport can often arrange pickup within 1-2 weeks if needed, though this may limit your carrier options and affect pricing.

Pro tip: If you’re moving during busy times (May through September), consider booking even earlier – up to 4 weeks ahead – to ensure the best service from Columbia, SC.

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 is the most common and cost-effective option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. This method is safe for most vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, or cars with custom paint jobs.

For most Columbia, SC residents, open transport works perfectly fine. However, if you’re shipping a high-value vehicle or want maximum protection, enclosed transport is worth the extra cost. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service to and from Columbia, SC. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or preferred location and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses in Columbia or your destination city. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule convenient pickup and delivery times that work with your schedule.

In some cases, large transport trucks may not be able to access certain residential streets due to low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or parking restrictions. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station – usually within a few blocks of your address.

This door-to-door service eliminates the hassle of driving to a terminal and makes your car shipping experience as smooth as possible, whether you’re moving to Columbia, SC or shipping your vehicle elsewhere from the Columbia area.

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!