Germantown, MD Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Germantown, MD is simple when you follow these key steps:

Remove Personal Items: Take out all personal belongings, including electronics, documents, and valuables. Remove toll passes like E-ZPass and any fragile items that could break during transit.

Clean Your Vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process easier.

Document Condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. Note any existing scratches, dents, or damage.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and other fluids. Make sure the battery is charged and the car starts easily.

Remove Accessories: Take off any loose parts like bike racks, spoilers, or custom accessories that could be damaged or fall off during transport.

Provide Working Keys: Have a spare key ready for the carrier. Make sure all keys work properly.

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Germantown, MD. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your Germantown vehicle shipment, we verify that:

• The carrier’s insurance is current and valid
• Coverage remains active throughout your entire shipment
• Sherpa is listed as a Certificate Holder on their policy

This insurance covers your vehicle from pickup in Germantown through delivery at your destination. Our comprehensive coverage gives you peace of mind knowing your car is protected during transport.

Important: While full insurance is included in every quote, we recommend documenting your vehicle’s condition before pickup. Take photos of any existing damage to ensure a smooth delivery process.

For car shipping from Germantown, MD, 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 group your vehicle with other shipments in the Germantown area
• More availability: Popular routes from Maryland fill up quickly
• Less stress: You’ll have backup time if your first choice isn’t available

If you need last-minute service, we can often arrange pickup within 3-7 days, but expect higher costs and fewer carrier options. For the smoothest experience shipping your car from Germantown, book early and give yourself plenty of time.

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 uses open trailers where your car is exposed to weather and road debris. This is the most common and budget-friendly option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service costs more but is ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, or cars with custom paint jobs.

For most Germantown, MD residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if you have a high-value car that needs extra protection during shipping. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for customers in Germantown, MD and across the nation. This service brings maximum convenience to your car shipping experience.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will do their best to collect and deliver your vehicle directly to these locations. This means no extra trips to terminals or shipping yards for you.

However, we want to be upfront about potential limitations. If your street has low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or weight restrictions that prevent our large transport trucks from safely accessing your address, we’ll work with you to find a nearby alternative. This might be a local gas station, shopping center, or open parking lot within a few miles of your home.

Our team will always communicate with you about any location changes and ensure the alternative pickup or delivery spot is safe and convenient for you. Door-to-door service is included in most of our shipping quotes at no extra cost, making it an excellent value for Germantown residents looking to ship their vehicles.

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!