Indio, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Indio, CA is simple but important. First, remove all personal items from inside your car – this includes toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport. Next, clean your vehicle inside and out so you can easily spot any damage during inspection.

Make sure to remove or secure exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could be damaged. Keep your gas tank between 1/4 and 1/2 full – this gives the carrier enough fuel to load and unload while keeping weight down.

Document your car’s condition with photos before pickup, especially any existing scratches or dents. Finally, have a working key ready for the driver and disable your car alarm to avoid issues during transport.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Indio, CA. Sherpa Auto Transport requires all carriers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that protects your vehicle throughout the entire transport process.

Our insurance requirements include:

• $1,000,000 minimum liability insurance – covers damage to other vehicles and property
• $100,000 minimum cargo insurance – protects your specific vehicle during transport
• Valid insurance verification – we confirm coverage is active before your Indio pickup

For added protection, all contracted carriers must add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we monitor coverage throughout your shipment and can quickly resolve any issues.

Important note: While our carriers provide excellent coverage, we recommend checking with your personal auto insurance provider about coverage during transport. Some policies offer additional protection that can complement the carrier’s insurance.

For car shipping from Indio, 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 shipments
• More pickup dates: You’ll have multiple time slots to choose from
• Less stress: Avoid last-minute rush fees and limited availability

If you’re moving during peak seasons (summer months or winter snowbird migration), consider booking 4-6 weeks ahead. Indio’s desert location means carriers often coordinate with other Palm Springs area pickups, so early booking helps secure your spot on these routes.

Need to ship with shorter notice? We can often accommodate rush orders within 3-7 days, though premium pricing may apply.

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 uses open-air trailers that expose your car to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service costs more but offers maximum protection.

For most standard vehicles shipping from Indio, open transport works great. Choose enclosed transport if you have a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom paint job that needs extra protection from desert dust and highway debris. Given Indio’s desert climate, enclosed transport can also protect your car’s interior from UV damage during transport.

Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for car shipping to and from Indio, CA. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses in Indio or wherever you’re shipping to. Our carrier will come right to your location – no need to drive to a terminal or depot.

However, some Indio neighborhoods may have restrictions like narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or HOA rules that prevent large car carriers from accessing certain areas. 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 that’s easy for both of you to reach.

This door-to-door service is included in your quote at no extra charge, making your car shipping experience as convenient 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!