Orinda, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Orinda, CA is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property left in your car.

Clean your vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure your battery is charged so the carrier can move your vehicle.

Remove accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or loose parts that could fall off during transport.

Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Have keys ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup from Orinda and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Orinda, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Orinda car shipment begins, we verify that:

• The carrier’s insurance is active and valid
• Coverage remains in effect for your entire transport
• Sherpa is listed as a Certificate Holder on the policy

This means you have protection from pickup in Orinda through delivery at your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards, giving you peace of mind during your vehicle transport.

Important: Document any existing damage before pickup. While our carriers are fully insured, having photos helps ensure a smooth claims process if needed.

For car shipping from Orinda, 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 your preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More flexibility: You’ll have multiple pickup date options
• Less stress: Avoid last-minute scheduling conflicts

If you need faster service, we offer expedited shipping with 1-7 days notice, though rates will be higher. For the most affordable and reliable car shipping experience from Orinda, 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 cost-effective option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe and reliable for most vehicles.

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.

Choose enclosed transport if you have:

• A luxury or exotic car
• A classic or vintage vehicle
• A car with custom paint or modifications
• A vehicle worth over $50,000

For most standard vehicles shipping from Orinda, open transport works great and saves money. See our complete open vs enclosed transport guide for more details about costs and benefits.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for Orinda, CA residents. This means we pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

When you book with us, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you in Orinda – no need to drive to a terminal or depot. This saves you time and makes the whole process much easier.

Keep in mind that some Orinda neighborhoods have narrow streets or tight turns. If our large carrier truck can’t safely reach your exact address, we’ll work with you to find a nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or wide street. This happens rarely, but we always prioritize safety first.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our quotes at no extra charge. It’s just one more way we make car shipping simple for Orinda residents.

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!