10 best long-distance moving companies in Clearwater, FL

Long-distance or interstate moves have their own challenges that set them apart from local moves. When you're moving between states, you may encounter complicated logistics, higher costs, and concerns such as how to move your car.

The right moving professionals can help put your mind at ease. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the highest-rated long-distance movers in Clearwater to help you, your family, and your belongings arrive safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance movers are distinct in a few ways. Local moving companies only work within a specific geographic radius and often charge a significantly higher rate for moves beyond their standard service circle if they agree to these requests at all.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance moving companies usually charge based on the weight of your belongings, while local moving companies typically set fees based on the length of time needed for your move. However, some companies use a mix of time and weight to calculate their rates, so be sure to check with your specific provider about its prices.

Although local movers may have more experience moving in your specific area (and be less expensive), the expertise of a long-distance moving company is extremely valuable, especially when it comes to moving between states. Choosing a long-distance moving company for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the critical knowledge and experience to handle the logistics and legal requirements, while also saving you time and headaches.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Clearwater

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the options may feel overwhelming, making it difficult to choose the right one for your needs. To help you navigate the process of finding a licensed and trustworthy long-distance moving company in Clearwater, we've collected some advice below.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must offer customers two insurance coverage options: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. For long-distance moves inside one state, looking into these or similar options is a good idea. To fully protect your belongings during the move, we suggest obtaining personal moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your moving company. You can find more thorough information on long-term moving insurance coverage below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate moving companies must have a USDOT number and must be registered with the FMCSA. This registration serves as an indication that you're working with a qualified company. The FMCSA publishes movers’ complaint histories on its website and enforces rules such as requiring movers to supply clients with a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance movers in Clearwater several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. As you compare quotes, ensure that they include costs for the physical move, insurance coverage, and any added services you'll use.
• Look at financing options: Many movers have financing options to help you afford your move. A moving or relocation loan can help cover expenses. Talk with your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. We suggest researching several loans to find the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: You can see what previous customers have said about particular long-distance moving companies by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review websites. Friends and loved ones can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year to move, which means movers may be harder to hire and more expensive if you’re moving during the summer months. Clearwater also has a lot of college students living in the area, so the beginning and end of the summer may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Movers that provide nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" quotes should make you suspicious. Trustworthy moving companies generally won't request your complete payment before the move. Steer clear of movers with an extensive history of negative reviews or BBB complaints. You should be familiar with your mover rights and responsibilities, as outlined by the FMCSA.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

Finding your moving company well before your move date is extremely important for a successful long-distance move. We advise booking your move at least 90 days in advance, or possibly earlier if you need specific services, like piano moving or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move yourself, we recommend getting started a month in advance. You might prefer to keep certain sentimental, fragile, or valuable items, such as plants and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

It's also important to make a checklist of everything that needs to be done before and after your move, such as updating your address with the Florida DMV.

Put together necessities for the first couple of days of your move, such as toiletries, extra clothes, and medicine.

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

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

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

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to offer two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash reimbursement for any items lost or damaged while moving. Some movers may exclude certain items that are extremely valuable (generally those valued at over $100 per pound) from this policy. While Full Value Protection is more expensive, it offers better coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered for free, but it has less protection. This insurance requires your moving company to pay you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for belongings lost or damaged during the move.

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

Sources

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration