10 best long-distance moving companies in Jacksonville Beach, FL

Long-distance or interstate moves include their own challenges that set them apart from local moves. If you’re moving interstate or long-distance, you may have to deal with higher costs, complicated logistics, and challenges such as how to move your car.

Alleviate your worries by choosing the right moving professionals for the job. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the highest-rated long-distance movers in Jacksonville Beach to help you, your loved ones, and your possessions get safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that specialize in long-distance moves differ from those that only do local moves. Local movers often only operate within a certain geographic radius. They'll frequently charge an exorbitant fee to work outside that circle if they’re willing to at all.

Another benefit of choosing a long-distance moving company is that they typically charge based on the weight of your items, while local moving companies are more likely to set fees based on time. Some movers, however, may use a mix of time and weight to set their prices, so it's necessary to talk about your provider's pricing structure.

Although local moving companies 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 moving between states. Long-distance moving companies are more likely to have the relevant information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves, which can save you time and stress.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Jacksonville Beach

When you're picking a long-distance mover, the wide range of choices may be overwhelming. To help you navigate the process of picking a legitimate and trustworthy long-distance moving company in Jacksonville Beach, we've collected some guidance below.

• Ask about insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires interstate movers to provide two types of insurance coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Even if your long-distance move is within the same state, look into the options provided by your mover. To better protect your possessions during the move, we suggest getting your own moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your moving company. You can find more thorough information about long-term moving insurance options below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT number. This registration serves as a sign that you're working with a reputable company. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for moving companies on its website and enforces rules such as requiring movers to provide clients with a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Ask for quotes several months in advance to ensure you have enough time to plan your move. Request detailed quotes from several long-distance movers in Jacksonville Beach. Estimates should include an itemized list with costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: Many movers offer financing options to help you pay for your move. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong choice to help cover cost. Talk with your moving company about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. We suggest researching several options to select the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Check online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar platforms to learn what other clients say about particular long-distance moving companies. Neighbors and relatives can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: If you plan on moving during the summer months, keep in mind that summer is the most popular time of year to move. This can make it harder and costlier to hire a mover. Jacksonville Beach also has a lot of college students living in the area, so the beginning and end of the semesters may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: Be suspicious of movers that offer “too good to be true” prices or nonbinding prices. Additionally, reputable movers won't demand the full payment upfront. If a moving company has an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. You should be familiar with your mover rights and responsibilities, as outlined by the FMCSA.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

An important piece of advice for long-distance moves is to reserve your movers far enough ahead of time. It's best if you schedule your move at least three months ahead of time. This gives you enough time to hire a moving company. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need specialized services, like piano moving or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move yourself, we suggest starting a month beforehand. You probably have fragile, sentimental, or valuable items, such as artwork or family heirlooms, that you would prefer to keep in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

To stay organized, write a detailed list of all the necessary tasks before and after your move, such as notifying the Florida DMV of your new address.

Pack essentials for the first few days of your move, such as medicine, extra clothes, and toiletries.

Finally, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before moving day.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

For long-distance moves, moving insurance is critical, as it'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

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

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy when you move. While this typically doesn't apply to long-distance moves, it might be a good idea to check your policy.

Sources

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