10 best long-distance moving companies in Grant, IL

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

Alleviate your concerns by hiring the right movers for the job. To help ensure you, your family members, and your belongings make it to your new home without incident, we've created this guide to the best long-distance movers in Grant.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance moving companies are different in many ways. Local movers usually only operate within a certain geographic radius. They'll usually charge an exorbitant rate to work outside that circle if they’re willing to at all.

Another benefit of choosing a long-distance mover is that they typically set fees based on the weight of your belongings, while local moving companies more often charge based on time. Certain moving companies may use a mix of time and weight when establishing their prices, so make sure to discuss pricing with your chosen provider.

Local Grant moving companies may have a more knowledge of your specific area and provide less expensive services, but their experience with interstate moves is most likely limited. Long-distance movers 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 Grant

When you're selecting a long-distance mover, the wide variety of options can be overwhelming. Here are some tips for choosing a legitimate, reliable long-distance mover in Grant.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must provide customers with two insurance coverage choices: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. If you're moving long-distance but not across state lines, you can look into these or other insurance options. To better protect your belongings during the move, we recommend obtaining your own moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your moving company. You can find more detailed information about long-term moving insurance plans below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate movers must have a USDOT number and must be registered with the FMCSA. 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 mandating that movers supply customers with a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Ask for quotes several months beforehand to ensure you have enough time to plan your move. Get detailed cost breakdowns from several long-distance movers in Grant. Estimates should include an itemized list with prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: Many movers have 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 good choice to help pay for some of the cost. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. Researching several options allows you to get the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review sites to see what others think about specific long-distance movers. Friends and relatives can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year to move, which means moving companies may be harder to book and more expensive if you’re moving between May and September. Because there are so many college students living in Grant, the beginning and end of the semesters may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Be suspicious of movers that offer “too good to be true” estimates or nonbinding prices. Trustworthy moving companies generally won't request your complete payment upfront. If a mover has an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. You should be knowledgeable about your mover rights and responsibilities, as described by the FMCSA.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

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

If you decide to pack for your move on your own, we suggest starting a month ahead of time. You might prefer to keep certain valuable, fragile, or sentimental items, such as electronics and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than 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 Illinois 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 toothbrushes, extra clothes, and medications.

Lastly, make sure to get a full night’s sleep the night before your big move.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

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

All interstate movers have to provide two insurance options, according to the FMCSA. Under Full Value Protection, movers must repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. Some moving companies might not cover very expensive belongings (usually those worth more than $100 per pound) under this policy. While Full Value Protection is more expensive, it gives you better coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered for free, but it has less coverage. With this insurance, your movers will reimburse you up to 60 cents per pound for damaged or lost items.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy. It may be helpful to review your policy, even though they usually don't cover long-distance moves.

Sources

Illinois Office of the Secretary of State U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration