10 best long-distance moving companies in Royal Palm Beach, FL

There are a range of factors that distinguish long-distance or interstate moves from local moves. Higher costs, complicated logistics, and challenges like how to move a car are common worries for people moving long-distance.

The right moving professionals can help alleviate your challenges. We've created this overview of the leading long-distance movers in Royal Palm Beach so you, your loved ones, and your belongings get to your new home safely.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that perform long-distance moves differ from those that only assist with local moves. Local movers typically only offer services within a certain geographic radius. They'll usually charge an exorbitant rate to work outside that area if they’re willing to at all.

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

When faced with a long-distance move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local movers. Although local movers may have a better grasp of your specific location and potentially offer less expensive rates, the knowledge and experience that long-distance movers have in tackling interstate moves is invaluable. Long-distance movers can save you time and headaches because they're more likely to have the right information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Royal Palm Beach

Hiring the right long-distance mover is important, and the options may feel overwhelming. To help you navigate the process of picking a legitimate and trustworthy long-distance mover in Royal Palm Beach, we've compiled some guidance below.

• Ask about insurance: Interstate moving companies are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to offer two types of insurance coverage to their customers: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can inquire about these or other options for long-distance moves that don't cross state lines. In addition to the insurance options carried by your mover, obtaining your own moving insurance will give you complete protection for your belongings. We provide more information on long-distance moving insurance plans below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must have a USDOT number and be registered with the FMCSA. This registration gives you peace of mind that a qualified company is handling your move. The FMCSA publishes complaint histories for movers on its website and enforces regulations such as requiring movers to give clients a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance moving companies in Royal Palm Beach several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. As you compare estimates, ensure that they include costs for the physical move, insurance coverage, and any other services you'll use.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers provide financing plans as a way to help customers pay for their moving expenses. You may be eligible for a moving or relocation loan to cover expenses. Talk with your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. We advise looking into several choices to get the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar online review sites to see what other customers have said about particular long-distance movers. Neighbors and loved ones 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 for moves. This can make it harder and more expensive to hire a moving company. Since Royal Palm Beach is home to so many college students, the beginning and end of the summer may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: Be suspicious of movers that give you “too good to be true” prices or nonbinding prices. Additionally, reliable movers shouldn’t demand the full payment before the move. If a moving company has an extensive history of bad reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. You should be aware of your mover rights and responsibilities, as described by the FMCSA.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A valuable tip for long-distance moves is to book your movers far enough ahead of time. To ensure a smooth move, reserve your movers no less than three months before your move date, and possibly even more if you need specialized services, like piano moving or car moving.

Start packing a full four weeks in advance if you plan on packing for your move on your own. You probably have fragile, valuable, or sentimental 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, make a detailed list of all the necessary tasks both before and after your move, such as notifying the Florida DMV of your new address.

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

The night before your move, make sure you get a full night’s sleep.

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 have two insurance options. Under Full Value Protection, movers must repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any items lost or damaged while moving. This policy may not apply to certain items that are extremely valuable (typically those valued at over $100 a pound), for some movers. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but it will ultimately get you greater coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection is offered at no additional cost, but it has less coverage. This plan requires your moving company to reimburse you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for possessions lost or damaged during the move.

If you carry over your same homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy after you move, it may cover some of your belongings during your move. This usually isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but checking your policy might be worth a look.

Sources

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