Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Alabama to California is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Before pickup:
• Remove all personal items from inside your car
• Take out toll passes, GPS devices, and loose accessories
• Clean your vehicle and take photos for your records
• Check fluid levels and tire pressure
• Remove or secure any exterior add-ons like bike racks or spoilers

Day of pickup:
• Have your keys ready for the driver
• Keep only 1/4 tank of gas or less
• Remove garage door openers and any valuables
• Be present to inspect your vehicle with the carrier

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in California and protects you from any liability issues during transport.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Alabama to California with Sherpa Auto Transport.

All our carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. We verify each carrier’s insurance is active and valid before your car leaves Alabama.

For extra protection, all carriers add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we can directly access insurance information if needed during your Alabama to California transport.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Alabama through delivery in California. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during the cross-country journey.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping pickup from Alabama 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 availability: Popular shipping dates fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup window options to choose from

If you need faster service, we can often accommodate rush shipments with 3-7 days notice, though this may come with premium pricing. For the most savings and convenience on your Alabama to California car shipment, book as early as possible.

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 with other vehicles, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most cars and costs less.

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

For most Alabama to California shipments, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has special value to you. Both options are safe and reliable. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for more details.

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

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your pickup address in Alabama and delivery address in California. Our carrier will come to these exact locations whenever possible.

Sometimes, large car carriers can’t access narrow streets or areas with low bridges. If this happens, don’t worry – we’ll work with you to find a safe, nearby spot like a shopping center or gas station. This is still much easier than driving to a distant terminal.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle during your Alabama to California move. You won’t need to arrange extra transportation to pick up your vehicle from a far-away location.

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!