Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth shipment to or from Florida:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can clearly see and document its current condition.
• Document existing damage: Take photos and videos of all sides of your vehicle before pickup. This protects you if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Remove personal items: Carriers are not insured to cover personal belongings inside the car. Remove everything from the interior and trunk.
• Disable your alarm: An alarm that goes off during transport can cause serious delays. Disable it or leave instructions for the driver.
• Keep the gas tank low: Fill it to about a quarter tank. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the load.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your vehicle starts, runs, and drives. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment and may cost more to ship.
• Retract or remove accessories: Fold in your mirrors and remove any external accessories like spoilers, roof racks, or antennas that could be damaged in transit.
• Leave a spare key: Your driver may need to reposition your vehicle on the carrier.

For more helpful advice, check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. And if you’re ready to book, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in the Sherpa Auto Transport network is required to carry cargo insurance as a condition of working with us. This means your car is covered from pickup to delivery — whether you’re shipping to or from Florida.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers in our network maintain active cargo insurance policies. If your vehicle is damaged in transit due to carrier negligence, their policy is the first line of coverage.
• Sherpa’s additional coverage: For extra peace of mind, Sherpa also provides a supplemental layer of protection on top of the carrier’s policy.

Before your vehicle is loaded, we strongly recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection with the driver. Note any pre-existing scratches, dents, or dings on the Bill of Lading (the official condition report). This document is your best friend if you ever need to file a claim.

Want to learn more about preparing your vehicle before shipping? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips for a step-by-step guide. You can also visit our FAQs page for more common questions, or get a free quote to start shipping your vehicle to or from Florida today.

We recommend booking your Florida auto transport at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to schedule your pickup and helps ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.

That said, timing matters — especially in Florida. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Snowbird season (October–April): Demand spikes as retirees and seasonal residents head south for the winter — and back north in the spring. Book 2–4 weeks ahead during these months.
• Summer months (June–August): College moves and family relocations drive up volume nationwide. Earlier is always better.
• Standard off-peak periods: 1–2 weeks is usually plenty of lead time.

Booking early also gives you more control over pricing. With Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at delivery.

Need a quick estimate? Use our Car Shipping Calculator to get an idea of costs, or get an instant quote and lock in your rate today.

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.

When shipping your car to or from Florida, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed auto transport. Here’s what sets them apart:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you see hauling cars on the highway every day. It’s safe, reliable, and works great for most standard vehicles. Because carriers can haul more cars at once, the cost is lower. The trade-off? Your car is exposed to weather and road debris during transit.

Enclosed Auto Transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from the elements, dust, and road debris. This is the preferred option for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotics, or any car with high sentimental or monetary value. The added protection does come at a higher price — typically 30–40% more than open transport.

Which should you choose for Florida shipping?

• Shipping a standard everyday vehicle? Open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice.
• Shipping a luxury, classic, or exotic car? Enclosed transport gives you the peace of mind your vehicle deserves.

Not sure which option is right for you? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide for a full breakdown, or get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today. With our Price Lock Promise, the price you’re quoted is the price you pay — no surprises.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service throughout Florida and across the entire country. This means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other convenient location — and deliver it straight to your destination address.

Door-to-door service is the most convenient option for most customers. You don’t have to drive your car to a terminal or arrange a separate pickup. We come to you.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Flexible pickup locations: We’ll do our best to get as close to your door as possible. In some cases — such as narrow streets or low-hanging trees — the driver may need to meet you at a nearby accessible spot for safety reasons.
• Open and enclosed options: Door-to-door service is available with both open and enclosed transport, so you can choose the level of protection that fits your needs and budget.
• No surprise price changes: With Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no unexpected fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and see how easy shipping your car to or from Florida can be.

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!