Key Questions To Ask A Long Distance Moving Company Before Hiring One
This post was last updated on April 20th, 2023
Moving to another home means making lots of choices in a potentially brief quantity of time. The number of to-dos can become overwhelming, from picking out the supplies to picking the transfer date. The relocation option that is most crucial happens to be the toughest: selecting the best long distance moving company.
With thousands of international and local moving companies, there is no lack of choices. It is imperative to ask the ideal questions.
Here Are Five Key Questions To Ask A Long Distance Moving Company Before Hiring One
1. Are you certified?
To prevent rogue movers and moving company scams, be certain that you ask if the firm is accredited or properly licensed. All long distance moving companies ought to have a license number.
- Meanwhile, local moving companies who simply relocate clients in the same state are governed by that particular state — not the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thus, a state permit should be held by local movers. It is essential to be aware that each state has their own set of regulations and license requirements involving moving companies.
2. Do they have appropriate experience with your particular type of move?
When you find the best long distance moving companies in USA, it isn’t a matter of who’s everyone’s top pick. Make sure you ask the long distance moving company whether they have expertise in handling your kind of move.
- For example, if you are moving into a high-rise apartment construction, a townhome with numerous stories (and steps), or into a huge town, you need to ask whether the moving firm has experience with that kind of move.
- Movers must be well-prepared to take care of anything coming their way — i.e. parking constraints, steep stairs, tiny doorways, and even lack of elevators.
3. What type of liability policy does your company supply?
You will need to be sure that your possessions are covered in the event of a mishap before handing over your items.
- Whether you are moving across the state or across the street, your moving company ought to have liability coverage options to pick from.
- Interstate movers are required to provide two kinds of liability choices: Released Value and Full Value Protection. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) defines those choices, under:
- Full Value Protection: The moving company is responsible for the replacement value of damaged or lost possessions in your whole move. This is actually the most all-inclusive plan available for the security of your possessions.” Full Value Protection’s costs differ by the moving company.
- Released Value Protection: This is the cheapest protection available since it offers no additional charges. However, the security has limits and only assumes liability for a particular proportion of your belongings.
- Customers have the choice to buy insurance. Before buying insurance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends assessing your homeowner’s insurance coverage to be certain that you’re not covered.
- Besides liability coverage alternatives, you should also request from the moving company proof of their insurance. Also, take note that every legitimate, licensed moving company must show evidence of their own insurance policy when requested.
4. Do you have testimonials?
No one would hire an employee without cross-checking their references, so why should you hire a long distance moving company without asking for theirs?
- Ask for references before entrusting a moving company with your possessions. The moving company’s representative ought to provide you with all the necessary information.
- Obviously, it is always your responsibility to do your research. Ask relatives, friends, and neighbors for any recommendations. Even in this era, word-of-mouth is still considered a reliable source to find the right moving company.
- Moreover, you must double-check the moving company’s ratings and reviews online.
5. Can you give a binding quotation or a not-to-exceed quote?
Do not let your invoice render any surprises from you. Most (if not many) moving businesses offer you non-binding estimates, so the estimated cost of your relocation is subject to change, based upon real expenses.
- This might wind up being a bad or good thing. If your move is heavier than initially estimated, then you may end up paying more than your estimation. If not, you may end up paying less and getting lucky.
Other important questions to ask a long distance moving company before hiring:
- How long will the move take?
- Are there any hidden charges I should be aware of? What are the additional moving supplies I must pay for?
- What are your policies regarding cancellation?
- What are the forms of payment your company accepts?
Conclusion
Always remember to stay diligent when selecting a long distance moving company. There are scam and rogue moving companies out there. Always remember to do profound and comprehensive research on the company’s history, and ask them the necessary questions provided above.
Michael Richards
Michael is a professional long distance mover and has been in the industry for over 15 years. In his field of industry, he’s experienced a lot and see a lot of country. He now uses that experience in the blogs he writes for My Long Distance Movers which is one of the best long distance moving companies in USA. In his spare time, he just likes to chill with his family and friends.
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