10 best long-distance moving companies in Lyon, MI

Long-distance or interstate moves bring their own challenges that set them apart from local moves. If you’re moving interstate or long-distance, you may deal with complicated logistics, higher costs, and concerns like 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 top long-distance movers in Lyon to help you, your loved ones, and your belongings arrive safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Moving companies that specialize in long-distance moves differ considerably from those that only offer local moves. Local movers only offer services within a specific geographic radius and frequently charge a significantly higher rate for moves beyond their standard service radius if they agree to such requests at all.

Another benefit of choosing a long-distance mover is that they typically charge 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 calculating their prices, so make sure to discuss pricing with your specific provider.

Local Lyon moving companies are typically more familiar with moving in your area and offer lower pricing. Long-distance movers offer valuable knowledge and experience, particularly when moving between states. Using a long-distance moving company for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the necessary knowledge and experience to handle the logistics and legal requirements, while also saving you time and stress.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Lyon

When you're selecting a long-distance moving company, the wide range of options can be overwhelming. See the list below for some recommendations on choosing a legitimate and trustworthy long-distance mover in Lyon.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must offer customers two insurance coverage choices: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. You can inquire about these or other options for long-distance moves inside one state. We also recommend getting your own moving insurance to fully protect your belongings. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance coverage, we've provided a more detailed explanation 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 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 Lyon several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. Estimates should include an itemized list with prices for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any other services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers offer financing plans to help you pay for your move. You may be able to get a moving or relocation loan to help with cost. Talk with your moving company about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial assistance for your move. We suggest looking into several loans to select the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Read Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review sites to find out what others have said about certain long-distance moving companies. Also, ask for recommendations from your friends and relatives.
• Think about timing: Because summer is the most common season to move in, it can be difficult and more expensive to get a mover. Because there are so many college students living in Lyon, the beginning and end of the semesters may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Movers that give you nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" estimates should make you cautious. Reputable moving companies generally won't demand your complete payment upfront. If a moving company has an extensive history of negative reviews or BBB complaints, it's best to avoid them. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

Finding your movers far enough ahead of time is extremely important for a successful long-distance move. To ensure an easy move, reserve your movers no less than three months before your move date, and potentially even more if you need specialized services, like piano moving or car moving.

When packing for your move on your own, get started at least four weeks in advance. You probably have valuable, fragile, or sentimental items, such as electronics or family heirlooms, that you would prefer to have in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

We also suggest making a checklist of all the tasks that need to be done both before and after your move, such as updating your address with the Michigan DMV.

Put together necessities for the first couple of days of your move, such as medications, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and extra clothes.

The night before moving day, don't forget to 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 provide two insurance options. Under Full Value Protection, movers must replace, repair, or provide a cash reimbursement for any items lost or damaged while moving. Some moving companies may exclude certain items that are extremely valuable (generally those valued at over $100 per pound) from this policy. Full Value Protection is pricier but offers more coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection is offered for free, but it has less coverage. This insurance requires your movers to pay you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for possessions damaged or lost during the move.

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 it may be worth checking your policy.

Sources

Michigan Department of State U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration