Ellicott City, MD Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Ellicott City, MD is simple when you follow these key steps. First, remove all personal items from inside your car, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any fragile items that could get damaged during transit. Next, clean your vehicle inside and out – this makes it easier to spot any existing damage during the inspection process.

Make sure to remove or secure loose exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antenna toppers that could come off during transport. Keep your gas tank between 1/4 and 1/2 full – enough fuel for loading and unloading, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.

Finally, have a working key ready for the carrier and take photos of your vehicle from multiple angles before pickup. For complete preparation guidelines, check 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 Ellicott City, MD. Sherpa Auto Transport requires all carriers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that protects your vehicle throughout the entire transport process.

Every carrier in our network must have:

• $1,000,000 in liability insurance – covers accidents and damages
• $100,000 in cargo insurance – protects your specific vehicle

We verify each carrier’s insurance is active and valid before your Ellicott City pickup. All carriers also add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy, giving you extra protection and peace of mind.

Your vehicle is covered from the moment it’s loaded in Ellicott City until it’s safely delivered to your destination. This insurance comes at no extra cost – it’s included in every quote.

For car shipping from Ellicott City, MD, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better carrier availability: Ellicott City’s location near Baltimore and Washington DC means regular carrier traffic, but popular routes fill up quickly
• Lower costs: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with others heading the same direction
• Flexible scheduling: More time allows for weather delays or route changes

If you need rush shipping, we can often arrange pickup within 3-5 days, though this typically costs more. For the most affordable and stress-free experience, 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 less.

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:

• Classic or luxury cars
• Custom paint jobs
• High-value vehicles
• Cars that need extra protection

Most Ellicott City residents choose open transport for everyday vehicles. It’s reliable and budget-friendly. For detailed comparisons, check our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service for Ellicott City, MD residents. This means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or preferred location and deliver it right to your destination.

When you book your car shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to your specified location in Ellicott City to collect your vehicle. However, we need to ensure our transport trucks can safely access your location.

Some Ellicott City neighborhoods have narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or tight turns that large car carriers cannot navigate. If your address has these challenges, don’t worry – we’ll work with you to find a nearby alternative pickup spot like a shopping center, gas station, or open parking lot within a few miles of your home.

Our goal is to make car shipping as easy as possible for you while keeping your vehicle safe throughout the process.

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!