Foster City, CA Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This makes it easier to spot any damage during inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (1/4 tank is ideal), oil, and a working battery. Your car needs to start and move during pickup and delivery.

Remove accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or loose parts that could fall off during transport.

Document condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup.

For a complete checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup from Foster City and safe delivery to your destination.

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

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

This insurance covers your vehicle during loading, transport, and delivery. You can request insurance certificates before your shipment if needed. Our comprehensive coverage gives Foster City residents peace of mind during their car shipping experience.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping pickup from Foster City, CA at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can group your vehicle with other shipments heading to the same destination
• More availability: Popular routes from the Bay Area fill up quickly
• Less stress: You’ll have backup options if your first choice isn’t available

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickup within 3-7 days, but expect to pay premium rates for expedited shipping.

Pro tip: Foster City’s location in the San Francisco Bay Area means frequent carrier routes, so you have more flexibility than rural areas. Still, don’t wait until the last minute!

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 trailers without walls or a roof, exposing your car to weather and road debris. This is the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer with walls and a roof. This shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris during shipping.

Choose open transport if you have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Most cars ship this way safely every day.

Choose enclosed transport if you have a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or custom paint job that needs extra protection. It costs more but gives you peace of mind.

For Foster City residents shipping high-value vehicles, enclosed transport is often worth the extra cost. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details about which option fits your needs and budget.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service for Foster City, CA residents. When you book your car shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will pick up your vehicle directly from your Foster City location and deliver it to your destination.

Foster City’s well-planned streets and accessible neighborhoods make door-to-door service possible in most areas. However, if your specific location has restrictions like narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or HOA regulations, our carrier will work with you to find a safe nearby alternative. This might include a local shopping center, gas station, or public parking area close to your home.

Benefits of door-to-door service:

• Maximum convenience – no need to drive to a terminal
• Saves you time and transportation costs
• Direct pickup from your Foster City address
• Flexible scheduling around your availability

Our team will coordinate all logistics and keep you updated throughout the process, ensuring a smooth car shipping experience from Foster City to anywhere in the country.

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!