Getting your car ready for transport from Rhode Island to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps:

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

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

Check fluid levels: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that all fluids are at proper levels.

Remove or secure loose items: Take off toll passes, GPS devices, and any exterior accessories like bike racks or spoilers that could be damaged.

Have a spare key ready: Provide the driver with a working key so they can load and unload your vehicle.

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

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely in Florida.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Rhode Island to Florida. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car leaves Rhode Island, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. This coverage protects your vehicle during the entire journey to Florida.

For extra protection, all our carriers add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we can directly confirm coverage details if needed.

What this means for you: Your car is protected from pickup in Rhode Island through delivery in Florida. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards, giving you peace of mind during your cross-country move.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Rhode Island 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 plan routes more efficiently when they have advance notice
• More pickup options: You’ll have flexible scheduling instead of being stuck with last-minute slots
• Route optimization: Your car can be bundled with other Rhode Island shipments heading to Florida

During peak seasons (summer months and winter holidays), book even earlier – up to 4 weeks ahead. Rhode Island to Florida is a popular route, especially when snowbirds head south for winter.

Need to ship last-minute? We can often accommodate rush orders within 3-5 days, though rates may be higher and pickup times less flexible.

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 car to weather and road debris. This is the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport. Your vehicle will be secure but not fully protected from the elements during your Rhode Island to Florida move.

Enclosed auto transport uses covered trailers that fully protect your car from weather, dust, and debris. This premium service costs more but is worth it for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs that need extra protection on the 1,000+ mile journey south.

For most standard vehicles shipping from Rhode Island to Florida, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value you can’t replace. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Rhode Island to Florida. This means we pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your pickup address in Rhode Island and delivery address in Florida. Our carrier will come to these exact locations to handle your vehicle.

Sometimes, large car carriers can’t access narrow streets or areas with low bridges. If this happens, don’t worry – we’ll arrange a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. This keeps your car safe and makes the process smooth for everyone.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. It’s especially helpful for the long Rhode Island to Florida route, making your move much easier.

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!