As a student, whether it is a summer break, internship or moving to a new campus. You may look for ways to get your vehicle moved across the country. Nonetheless, it may seem an expensive and complicated process to ship a car. There are not many affordable student vehicle transport options that can make things easier and cheaper for you. In this guide, we will see how students can find budget car shipping options for their vehicle while ensuring safe shipping.
Why Shipping a Car Makes Sense for Students
Being a student, you are either busy with your studies, doing extra work, or busy with other things and hence driving your car across the country is not a good idea. Shipping your vehicle has a ton of perks.
- By opting for our services, you will save a lot of time that would have otherwise been spent driving your car to your destination.
- Traveling Long-Distance: If you’re relocating to another state or going to school far from home, driving can be draining and slow.
- When you have auto transport services ship your car, it means that you avoid driving your own vehicle for long distances. In other words, you don’t have to deal with the hazards of road travel and can be rest assured that’s it’s safe.
Now that you are aware of how vehicle transport is a wise decision, let us see how students can do it affordably.
Affordable Student Vehicle Transport Options
As a student, shipping a vehicle doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are some cheap but practical options for students.
Open Transport
Transporting a vehicle via the open transport method is cheaper. This method is where your car is loaded onto the open air carrier which is a flatbed or multi-car trailer. Though your car will be exposed to the elements while on transit, open transport is relatively safe and reliable for most.
- The least expensive option is ideal for most vehicles, including sedans and compacts.
- The downside is that your car will be vulnerable to exposed to weather and road conditions, but not for most cars.
Looking to ship your car cross country without breaking the bank? Open transport is affordable choice for students.
Terminal-to-Terminal Service
A more affordable option is terminal to terminal shipping wherein you are to drop the vehicle at one terminal and it will get shipped to the same terminal at the place. It is usually cheaper to deliver your vehicle to the terminal yourself than have the carrier pick it up from your home.
- It’s typically cheaper than door-to-door as less direct service is required.
- The downside is that the terminal is far so you’ll have to drive to the terminal and back.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping can save you on car shipping overall costs, although it may require some extra coordination.
Discounts for Students
Most car shipping companies provide special discounts for students to reduce their vehicle transport price. You could prove your student status for a cheaper price, so the process might be more affordable than you think.
- The advantage of a student discount is that it makes car shipping cheaper.
- Not every company will offer discounts, reach out to your company of choice to inquire about discounts or any available options.
Before you book your vehicle transport, it’s important to ask the transport carrier if they have any student discounts or deals for young people moving their vehicles.
Flexible Timing and Scheduling
When you’re willing to be flexible about your pickup and delivery dates, you may get lower rates. Discounts are often available when your shipment isn’t time-sensitive, many auto transport companies offer. Students who have a flexible schedule can make good use of this option to save money and at the same time, secure their vehicle.
- The use of flexible scheduling can help you save on shipping costs during non-peak seasons.
- Drawback: This option might not fit your needs if you require a quick delivery of your vehicle.
Your flexibility while planning the vehicle shipping may lower the costs associated with the shipping.
Compare Quotes and Shop Around
Comparison shopping is essential; obtain quotes from at least 3 different auto transport companies. The price may differ based on the distance of the shipping, shipping method and the company. Getting multiple quotes makes sure you get the best price possible.
- You can find the cheapest deal which suits your needs after comparing their quotes.
- A drawback is getting quotes from several providers can take time, but it is worth it.
A quote tool is present on many car shipping companies’ sites. You can use these tools to get a quick estimate for shipping your vehicle anywhere across the country.
Tips for Reducing the Cost of Shipping Your Car
There are a few things you could do to keep shipping your vehicle at a low cost aside from the method you choose.
Remove Personal Items from the Vehicle
It is costly to ship a vehicle with stuff in it. With additional weight plus insurance, shipping costs increase. The majority of car shipping organizations have available policies that restrict or limit personal items traveling with the vehicle. It is best to take away all personal items from your car to reduce the cost.
Pro Tip: Use your vehicle to transport heavy or oversized items in your home. It can prove very handy and useful.
Choose a Pickup Location with Easy Access
The price to ship your car can increase if it is difficult to access your delivery point. Transporters may need additional equipment or apply extra effort to pick up or drop your car from those locations. In order to save money, select an accessible pickup location with good carrier access, such as a main road or commercial location.
Book in Advance
Booking your car shipment early will get you better rates. Booking last minute often costs more, so plan ahead as often as you can to enjoy lower prices.
Conclusion
With proper research and planning, finding less expensive student vehicle transport is achievable. By looking at open transport, terminal-to-terminal shipping, and using student discounts, you can save some bucks while ensuring safe delivery of your vehicle.
At Car Shipping Source we understand students’ specific needs and offer a variety of cheap car shipping options to help. Contact us today to obtain a quote for your vehicle transport needs and make your move as smooth as possible!
