San Jose, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transit from San Jose, CA is simple but important. Start by removing all personal items from inside your car, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose objects that could shift during transport.

Clean your vehicle inside and out before pickup. This helps our driver note any existing damage during the inspection. Take photos of your car from all angles as backup documentation.

Make sure your car is in good working condition with at least a quarter tank of gas (but not more than half full). Check that your battery is charged and tires are properly inflated.

Remove or secure external accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or custom antennas that could be damaged or cause clearance issues during loading.

Have a spare key ready for the driver, as they’ll need to move your vehicle during loading and unloading.

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup and delivery for your San Jose car shipment.

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

Before your San Jose car shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. This protects your vehicle during the entire transport process.

For added security, all our carriers name Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we can directly monitor coverage and ensure your vehicle stays protected from pickup in San Jose to final delivery.

What this means for you: If any damage occurs during transport, you’re covered. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards, giving San Jose customers extra peace of mind.

For car shipping from San Jose, 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 plan efficient routes and bundle multiple vehicles
• More availability: Popular pickup times fill up quickly in busy areas like San Jose
• Less stress: You’ll have backup options if your first choice isn’t available

Peak season tip: During summer months (May-September) and winter holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead. These are the busiest times for car shipping.

Need to ship last-minute? We can often accommodate rush orders within 3-7 days, though expect higher costs and limited carrier options.

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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, or cars with custom paint jobs.

For most San Jose residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a high-value car or want maximum protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service for San Jose, CA and nationwide. This means we’ll pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come right to your location in San Jose – whether that’s your driveway, apartment complex, or workplace.

In some cases, large transport trucks may not be able to access certain streets due to low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or parking restrictions common in San Jose neighborhoods. If this happens, don’t worry! Our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station – usually within a few blocks of your original address.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or depot. We bring the service directly to you, making your San Jose car shipping experience as smooth as possible.

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!