Davenport, IA Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport.

Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can easily spot any damage during inspection. This also helps the carrier document your vehicle’s condition.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Your vehicle needs to start and move for loading.

Remove accessories: Take off custom parts like spoilers, bike racks, or loose trim that could be damaged or fall off during transit.

Document everything: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup. Note any existing scratches or dents.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips guide. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Davenport, IA. Sherpa Auto Transport requires all carriers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that protects your vehicle throughout the entire shipping process.

Our insurance requirements include:

• $1,000,000 minimum liability insurance – covers damages to other vehicles and property
• $100,000 minimum cargo insurance – directly protects your vehicle during transport

Before we assign your Davenport vehicle shipment, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy, giving us direct access to insurance information.

This means you can ship your car from Davenport with confidence, knowing it’s protected by professional-grade insurance coverage from pickup to delivery.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Davenport, IA at least 7-14 days in advance. However, booking earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More drivers can plan your route
• Lower costs – Carriers can group your car with other shipments
• Flexible timing – You get more pickup date options

During busy seasons (summer and fall), book 2-3 weeks ahead. For urgent shipments, we offer expedited service, but expect higher rates.

Pro tip: Davenport’s location along I-80 makes it easier to find carriers, but early booking still ensures the best service and pricing for your car transport.

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 budget-friendly option where your car travels on an open trailer exposed to weather and road elements. Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from rain, snow, debris, and road salt – especially important during Iowa’s harsh winters.

Here’s the key difference: enclosed transport costs about 50-60% more than open transport, but it’s worth it for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs. Most everyday cars ship safely using open transport, which is what about 90% of customers choose.

For Davenport residents, consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping during winter months or have a high-value vehicle. Otherwise, open transport offers excellent value and reliability. Check out our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide which option fits your needs and budget.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Davenport, IA. This means our carriers will pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your car shipment with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery addresses in Davenport. Our experienced carriers know the area well and can navigate most residential streets and business locations throughout the city.

In rare cases where large transport trucks cannot safely access your exact address due to low bridges, narrow streets, or parking restrictions, our driver will contact you to arrange pickup or delivery at a nearby safe location like a shopping center or gas station. This ensures your vehicle stays protected while making the process smooth for everyone.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to terminal-to-terminal shipping. You won’t need to drive across town to drop off or pick up your car – we bring the service right to you in Davenport.

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!