San Rafael, CA Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and under seats. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can easily spot any damage during inspection. This also helps with the pickup process.

Check fluid levels: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant for loading and unloading.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that might fall off. Retract antennas and fold in mirrors.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup.

Provide working keys: Make sure you have a spare key for the driver.

For complete preparation guidelines, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will ensure smooth pickup from San Rafael and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from San Rafael, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance and $100,000 cargo insurance to protect your vehicle.

Before your San Rafael car shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

This comprehensive coverage is included in your quote at no extra cost. Your vehicle is protected from pickup in San Rafael through delivery at your destination.

For car shipping from San Rafael, CA, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you several key advantages:

• Better pricing: Early bookings allow carriers to plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More carrier options: Popular routes from the San Francisco Bay Area fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more control over pickup and delivery dates

If you need last-minute service, we can often accommodate shipments with 1-2 weeks notice, though this may limit your options and increase costs. During peak seasons (summer months and winter holidays), we strongly suggest booking 3-4 weeks ahead to ensure availability.

Pro tip: San Rafael’s location in Marin County makes it easy to coordinate with other Bay Area shipments, so early booking helps carriers create cost-effective routes.

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 auto transport is the most common and affordable option. Your car travels on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. This works well for everyday vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed auto 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, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

Most San Rafael residents choose open transport for regular cars since it’s reliable and budget-friendly. Consider enclosed transport if your vehicle is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from San Rafael, CA. 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 your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you at both locations. This saves you time and hassle compared to dropping off your car at a terminal.

In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain streets in San Rafael due to narrow roads, low bridges, or parking restrictions. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or wide street. We always prioritize the safety of your vehicle and follow local traffic laws.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard pricing. There are no hidden fees for this convenience.

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!