Rancho Mirage, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Rancho Mirage, CA is simple with these key steps:

Clean and Document: Wash your car inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage for your records.

Remove Personal Items: Take out all personal belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for items left inside.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery is charged. Fix any fluid leaks.

Secure Loose Parts: Remove or secure antennas, spoilers, and custom accessories that could be damaged during transport.

Provide Working Keys: Have a spare key ready for the driver. Make sure all keys work properly.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup from Rancho Mirage and safe delivery to your destination.

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

Before we assign your Rancho Mirage car shipment, 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 means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Rancho Mirage through delivery at your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during transport.

Important: While our carriers provide comprehensive coverage, we recommend checking with your personal auto insurance to understand what additional protection you may have during shipping.

For car shipping from Rancho Mirage, CA, 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 in the same direction
• More availability: Popular routes fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Less stress: You’ll have backup time if your first-choice dates aren’t available

If you need faster service, we do offer expedited shipping with as little as 3-5 days notice, though this typically costs more. For the most flexibility and savings, book as early as possible once you know your moving timeline.

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 open trailers that expose your vehicle to weather and road debris. It costs less and works well for most everyday cars. Enclosed auto transport uses covered trailers that fully protect your vehicle from the elements.

Here are the key differences:

• Cost: Enclosed transport costs 50-70% more than open transport
• Protection: Enclosed offers complete protection from weather, dust, and road debris
• Best for: Open works for standard vehicles, while enclosed is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or custom vehicles

For Rancho Mirage residents shipping high-value vehicles or cars with custom paint jobs, enclosed transport is worth the extra cost. For regular daily drivers, open transport is safe and budget-friendly. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for customers in Rancho Mirage, CA. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, business, or preferred location and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book your car shipment, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to schedule convenient times for both pickup and delivery. This service eliminates the need for you to drive to a terminal or depot.

However, please note that in some cases, the carrier may need to use an alternate location near your address. This typically happens when:

• Streets are too narrow for large transport trucks
• Low-hanging branches or power lines create clearance issues
• Local parking restrictions prevent commercial vehicles
• Steep hills or tight turns make access difficult

If an alternate location is needed in Rancho Mirage, our carrier will work with you to find a safe, nearby spot like a shopping center or gas station. We always aim to get as close to your door as safely possible while protecting your vehicle during transport.

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!