Columbia, TN Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Columbia, TN is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers are not insured for personal property left inside the vehicle.

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

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), and the battery is charged so it can be loaded and unloaded.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off custom antennas, spoilers, bike racks, and any loose parts that could be damaged during transit.

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

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

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Columbia, TN. Every carrier in our network must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

Your transport quote includes this insurance coverage at no extra cost. If you’d like a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Columbia, TN at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and offer competitive rates
• More carrier options: You’ll have access to more qualified drivers in the Columbia area
• Flexible scheduling: You can choose pickup dates that work best for you
• Route optimization: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading the same direction

Need faster service? We can often accommodate rush shipments with 2-5 days notice, though this may cost more. If you have flexible dates, booking 3-4 weeks ahead typically gets you the lowest rates.

Contact us as soon as you know your moving dates. We’ll work with you to find the best pickup window for your Columbia, TN car shipment.

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 affordable option, where your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, but this is how most vehicles are shipped—including new cars from dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and costs significantly less.

Enclosed auto transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer, shielding your vehicle from weather, dust, and debris. This option costs 50-60% more than open transport but is ideal for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications.

For most Columbia, TN residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and protection. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value or requires extra care during the journey. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Columbia, TN and the surrounding area. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or another address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come right to your location in Columbia to load your vehicle and transport it to your specified delivery address.

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 Columbia neighborhood, don’t worry. Our driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot, like a shopping center parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but we always work with you to find the easiest solution.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or drop-off location. We bring the service directly 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!