10 best long-distance moving companies in Menifee, CA

Long-distance or interstate moves differ from local moves in significant ways. When you're moving between states, you may have to deal with higher costs, complicated logistics, and challenges like how to move your car.

Alleviate your issues by hiring the right movers for the job. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the highest-rated long-distance movers in Menifee to help you, your loved ones, and your possessions make it safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that perform long-distance moves differ significantly from those that only offer local moves. Local moving companies only operate within a specific geographic area and frequently charge a significantly higher fee for moves beyond their standard service area if they agree to these jobs at all.

Long-distance moving companies are also more likely to set fees based on the weight of your items, while local moving companies are more likely to charge by time. Keep in mind that some moving companies might use both weight and time in their quotes, so ask your specific movers about their pricing structure.

Local Menifee movers may have a more knowledge of your specific location and provide less expensive services, but their experience with interstate moves is probably limited. These companies are more likely to have the proper information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves, which can save you time and headaches.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Menifee

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the options may be overwhelming, making it difficult to choose the right one for you. Here are some tips for finding a legitimate long-distance mover in Menifee.

• Ask about insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires interstate movers to offer two kinds of insurance coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can ask about these or similar insurance options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. We also suggest obtaining your own moving insurance to better protect your possessions. We discuss long-distance moving insurance coverage in more detail below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate moving companies must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT number. Qualified providers will have these qualifications. The FMCSA enforces certain rules, such as mandating that movers supply a written price quote, and also publishes movers’ complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance moving companies in Menifee several months before your move and request detailed quotes. Ensure these quotes include prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any other services you think you’ll need.
• Look at financing options: To help with the financial aspect of your move, quite a few moving companies offer financing options. You may be able to take out a moving or relocation loan to help pay for some of the expenses. Ask your moving company about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. We recommend looking into several options to find the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Look at Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review sites to see what others say about certain long-distance moving companies. Also, ask for recommendations from your friends and relatives.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year for moving, which means moving companies may be harder to get and costlier if you’re moving during the summer months. Menifee also has a lot of college students living in the area, so June and August may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Movers that give you nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" estimates should make you cautious. You should also be cautious of a mover that asks for your entire payment upfront. If a moving company has an extensive history of bad reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A helpful tip for long-distance moves is to find your movers far enough ahead of time. We recommend hiring movers at least three months before your move date, or even farther ahead if you need more specialized moving services, like piano or car moving.

When packing for your move by yourself, get started at least a month in advance. You might prefer to have certain items, such as artwork and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

To stay organized, write a detailed list of everything that needs to be done before and after your move, such as notifying the California DMV of your new address.

Make sure you're not without essentials in the first few days of your move by packing a bag with items such as toothbrushes, medicine, and extra clothes.

The night before moving day, make sure you get enough rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is key for long-distance moves because it'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires that all interstate movers must provide two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to replace, repair, or provide a cash settlement for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. This policy may not apply to certain extremely valuable possessions (typically those valued at over $100 per pound), for some moving companies. Although Full Value Protection is pricier, it provides better coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered at no additional cost, but it provides less coverage. With this insurance, your moving company will pay you up to 60 cents per pound for lost or damaged items.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might partially cover your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy after you move. While this typically doesn't apply to long-distance moves, checking your policy could be beneficial.

Sources

State of California Department of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration