10 best long-distance moving companies in Van Buren, MI

Long-distance or interstate moves differ from local moves in several ways. If you’re moving interstate or long-distance, you may have to deal with higher costs, complicated logistics, and challenges like how to move your car.

Hiring the right movers can help relieve your issues. That’s why we’ve made this overview of the best long-distance movers in Van Buren to help you, your loved ones, and your belongings 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 offer local moves. Local moving companies generally offer moving services within a designated geographic location. They either won't work outside that area, or they'll charge a significant fee to do so.

Another benefit of choosing a long-distance mover is that they typically charge by weight, while local moving companies more often charge based on how long a job takes. 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 Van Buren moving companies may have a more knowledge of your specific city and provide less expensive services, but their experience with interstate moves is most likely limited. Using a long-distance moving company for an interstate move gives you the benefit of the critical knowledge and experience to handle the logistics and legal requirements, while also saving you time and headaches.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Van Buren

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to choose the right one for your needs. To help you navigate the process of picking a licensed and trustworthy long-distance mover in Van Buren, we've gathered some advice 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. Even if your long-distance move doesn't cross state lines, look into the options provided by your mover. To completely protect your belongings during the move, we recommend purchasing your own moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your mover. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance choices, we've provided a more detailed discussion below.
• Assess qualifications: Movers 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 taking care of your move. The FMCSA enforces certain policies, such as requiring movers to supply a written price quote, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Request quotes several months in advance to ensure you have adequate time to plan your move. Get in touch with multiple long-distance moving providers in Van Buren and get detailed quotes. Make sure these estimates include costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any added services you think you’ll use.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers provide financing options as a way to help customers afford their moving expenses. A moving or relocation loan can cover cost. Talk with your moving company about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial help with your move. Researching several loans allows you to pick the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: Read online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other platforms to learn what previous customers think about specific long-distance moving companies. Neighbors and loved ones 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 hire and costlier if you’re moving between May and September. Van Buren also has a lot of college students living in the area, so June and August 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 quotes. You should also be wary of a moving company that asks for your full payment upfront. Steer clear of moving companies that have an extensive history of bad reviews or BBB complaints. The FMCSA describes mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

Securing your moving company far enough ahead of time is critical when getting ready for a long-distance move. It's best if you schedule your move at least 90 days in advance. This gives you enough time to hire movers. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need specific services, like piano or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move on your own, we advise getting started a month beforehand. When it comes to sentimental, valuable, or fragile belongings, such as electronics or family heirlooms, you may opt to carry them in your car rather than having them packed in the mover's truck.

Putting together a checklist of all the things that need to be done before and after your move, such as updating your address with the Michigan DMV, is a great way to stay organized during a long-distance move.

Pack a bag of essentials for the first few days, such as toothbrushes, medicine, and extra clothes.

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

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is essential for long-distance moves. It'll protect you if any of your belongings are lost or damaged.

The FMCSA requires all interstate movers to offer two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to repair, replace, or provide a cash reimbursement for any belongings lost or damaged while moving. Some movers might not cover items that are very expensive (usually those worth more than $100 per pound) under this policy. Full Value Protection is more expensive but provides more coverage. While Released Value Protection is offered for free, it gives you reduced coverage. This plan requires your movers to compensate you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for belongings lost or damaged during the move.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you carry over the same policy. 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