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College Student Auto Transport: What You Need to Know

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   College Student Auto Transport: What You Need to Know

Going off to college is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging for students who are moving from far away. These students have the burden of transporting their belongings hundreds of miles while also juggling the challenges of class schedules and new surroundings. With so much on their mind, the last thing they need to worry about is getting their vehicle safely to their destination. Auto transport services can help ease the transition by safely and efficiently delivering their vehicle to college. 

Why Auto Transport is Ideal for College Students

For starters, going off to college can be a stressful time for many students. Having to drive their car a long distance to school can only exacerbate that stress. Furthermore, driving poses significant safety risks, especially for young drivers who aren’t experienced with making such long distance trips. Auto transportation can alleviate the hassle of driving while also easing the minds of worried parents. 

Auto shipping is also fast and efficient. Rather than driving for long distances, students can book a flight and have their vehicle shipped to school. Depending on location and distance, the cost can even be nearly the same. The cost of auto shipping can be comparable to food, lodging, and gas expenses. Not to mention that your vehicle will travel with an insured and bonded auto transport company. 

How to Choose an Auto Transport Company?

You can start by researching auto transport companies online. You want to look for a company that is reputable and reliable. Be sure to check plenty of reviews and also check to ensure the company has proper licensing, registration, and insurance. College students are typically on a budget, so it makes sense that you also want to find a company that is affordable. Once you have found a couple of reputable companies, compare pricing and services to decide which one is right for you. Some auto transport companies will even offer discount pricing for college students. 

How College Students Can Prepare Their Car for Transport?

  • Typically you want to book your shipment well in advance. Shipping a car involves many steps so it’s best to book at least 3-4 weeks in advance. 
  • You may like the convenience of door-to-door shipping, but your college may not approve of a large truck parking outside the campus housing. For this reason, you may need to arrange to pick up your car at a nearby location. 
  • In some cases, the auto transport company may permit you to transport up to 100 pounds of luggage in your truck. Be sure to check with your carrier, but if approved, this can be a great way to move some additional belongings. 
  • Be sure to wash your car prior to shipment and do a thorough inspection to make note of any scratches or dings. This will be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim later on. 
  • Remember that there is no such thing as a guaranteed delivery date for car shipment. Things like weather, road conditions, traffic delays and other unforeseen circumstances can impact travel time so you will need to be flexible and make preparations accordingly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Car Moving Questions

The hardest thing for people researching car moving companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast gaurantees, but rather ESTIMATES of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved promptly versus another company's opinion of what it will take. Don't be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work getting a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quote you.

Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker's fee (or 'deposit' as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount) Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE YOU ARE GETTING SALES CALLS FROM IS GOING TO BROKER YOUR MOVE. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 90% of the orders they book. Here is a quick easy way to tell, if a company takes an up front fee, whether they call it a deposit or any other name, they are a broker. Carriers do not take any payment until the vehicle is delivered.

In our opinion, you are crazy to do so. Have you ever been paid up front for the work that you perform for your employer? Why would you pay a fee up front when there are reliable and trustworthy companies like ours that won't ask for it until we provide you with your carriers details?

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between one and two weeks. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

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