Elgin, IL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Elgin, IL 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 aren’t responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can easily spot any damage during inspection. Take photos of your vehicle from all angles.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Fix any fluid leaks before pickup.

Secure loose parts: Remove or tighten exterior accessories like spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could be damaged during transport.

Have keys ready: Make sure you have working keys for the driver. Your car needs to start and move for loading.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure smooth pickup and delivery of your vehicle from Elgin.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Elgin, IL. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Elgin 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. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Elgin until delivery at your destination. If you need a copy of the insurance certificate, just ask your transport coordinator.

For car shipping from Elgin, IL, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and reliable carriers.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More carrier options: Popular routes from Elgin fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options

If you need faster service, we do offer expedited shipping with 1-5 days notice, though this typically costs more. For the most savings and peace of mind, book as early as possible once you know your moving timeline.

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 affordable option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most vehicles and costs much less.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport. Choose this for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Elgin residents shipping everyday vehicles, open transport works great. You’ll save money and still get reliable service. Pick enclosed transport only if your car needs extra protection from weather and road debris.

See our complete open vs enclosed transport guide for more details about which option fits your needs.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for car shipping in Elgin, IL. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses in Elgin. Our carrier will come to your location at the scheduled time. In most cases, we can pick up and deliver right at your door.

However, some Elgin neighborhoods have narrow streets or low-hanging trees that make it hard for large car carriers to navigate. If this happens, don’t worry. Our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or wide street. This keeps your car safe and makes the process smooth for everyone.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. It’s our most popular service option for Elgin 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!