10 best long-distance moving companies in Michigan City, IN

Long-distance or interstate moves present 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 concerns like how to move your car.

Put your mind at ease by selecting the right movers for the job. To help ensure you, your family members, and your belongings arrive at your new home safely, we've compiled this guide to the top long-distance movers in Michigan City.

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. The main distinction between local and long-distance movers is the distance they're willing to cover. Local movers usually only work within a certain geographic area and will charge an exorbitant rate to work outside it if they're willing to at all.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance movers commonly charge based on the weight of your items, while local movers commonly set fees based on the length of time required for your move. Some moving companies may use a combination of time and weight when setting their prices, so make sure to discuss pricing with your chosen provider.

Although local movers may have more experience moving in your specific area (and be less expensive), the knowledge and experience of a long-distance moving company is extremely valuable, especially when moving between states. Long-distance movers can save you time and stress because they're more likely to have the relevant information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Michigan City

Selecting the right long-distance moving company is important, and the choices can be overwhelming. See the list below for some advice on picking a licensed and reliable long-distance moving company in Michigan City.

• 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 clients: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can look into these or similar insurance options for long-distance moves inside one state. To fully protect your belongings during the move, we recommend getting personal moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your moving company. You can find more detailed information about long-term moving insurance options below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. Trustworthy providers will have these qualifications. The FMCSA enforces certain policies, such as requiring movers to give clients a written price quote, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: We advise looking for quotes several months ahead of your move. Get in touch with multiple long-distance moving providers in Michigan City and get detailed cost breakdowns. As you compare estimates, confirm that they include costs for the physical move, insurance coverage, and any added services you'll need.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers have financing plans to help you pay for your move. You may be eligible for a moving or relocation loan to pay for some of the expenses. Talk with your moving company about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial assistance for your move. You should compare multiple loans to make sure you pick the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Read online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar platforms to learn what others think about certain long-distance movers. Also, ask for recommendations from your neighbors and relatives.
• Think about timing: Because summer is the most common season to move in, it can be difficult and costlier to book a moving company.
• Watch out for red flags: Be cautious of movers that give you “too good to be true” estimates or nonbinding estimates. Additionally, trustworthy moving companies won't request the full payment before the move. If a moving company has a long 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

A useful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to hire your moving company well before of your move date. It's best if you book your move at least three months beforehand. This gives you enough time to hire a moving company. 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 by yourself, we recommend getting started a month ahead of time. When it comes to valuable, fragile, or sentimental belongings, such as artwork or family heirlooms, you may opt to carry them in your car rather than the mover's truck.

Put together a list of all the tasks that need to be done both before and after your move. The list should include items such as updating your address with the Indiana DMV.

Pack a bag with essentials for the first couple of days of your move, such as extra clothes, toiletries, and medications.

Finally, on 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. It'll protect you if some of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to have two insurance options. The first, Full Value Protection, requires movers to replace, repair, or provide a cash settlement for any belongings lost or damaged during your move. Some movers may exclude certain possessions that are extremely valuable (generally those valued at over $100 per pound) from this policy. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but it will ultimately get you better coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered at no additional cost, but it gives less coverage. With this insurance, your movers will pay you up to 60 cents per pound for lost or damaged belongings.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might partially cover your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy during your move. This usually isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but checking your policy might be worth a look.

Sources

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration