10 best long-distance moving companies in Shakopee, MN

Long-distance or interstate moves bring their own challenges that set them apart from local moves. Many people moving interstate or long-distance struggle with concerns like how to move their car, as well as complicated logistics and higher costs.

The right moving company can help ease your concerns. That’s why we’ve created this list of the highest-rated long-distance movers in Shakopee to help you, your loved ones, and your possessions make it safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

When you're comparing local and long-distance moving companies, there are a few key differences to consider. Local moving companies only offer services within a specific geographic area and often charge a significantly higher fee for moves beyond their standard service radius if they agree to these requests at all.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance movers typically charge based on the weight of your belongings, while local moving companies typically charge based on the length of time needed for your move. Some movers, however, may use a mix of time and weight to determine their rates, so it's important to talk about your provider's pricing structure.

Local Shakopee moving companies are commonly more familiar with moving in your area and offer lower pricing. Long-distance movers bring valuable knowledge and experience, particularly when relocating to another state. Long-distance movers can save you time and headaches because they're more likely to have the proper information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of interstate moves.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in Shakopee

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the choices may feel overwhelming, making it difficult to select the right one for your needs. Below, we offer some recommendations on how to pick a legitimate and reliable long-distance mover in Shakopee.

• 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. For long-distance moves within the same state, looking into these or other insurance options is a good idea. To fully protect your possessions during the move, we suggest getting personal moving insurance on top of the coverage offered by your moving company. To help you better understand your long-term moving insurance coverage, we've provided a more detailed discussion below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must have a USDOT number and be registered with the FMCSA. This registration serves as a sign that you're working with a reputable mover. The FMCSA enforces certain rules, such as mandating that movers provide a written estimate, 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. For a thorough comparison, be sure to get detailed quotes from multiple long-distance movers in Shakopee. Quotes should include an itemized list with costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any other services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: To help with the financial aspect of your move, quite a few moving companies have financing options. You may be able to take out a moving or relocation loan to help pay for some of the expenses. Ask your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. We recommend researching several choices to select the one with the best rates and lowest fees.
• Read reviews: You can find out what others thought about specific long-distance moving companies by reading Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other online review websites. You should also ask neighbors and relatives for recommendations.
• Think about timing: If you plan on moving between May and September, keep in mind that summer is the most popular time of year to move. This can make it harder and more expensive to hire a moving company. Shakopee 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” quotes or nonbinding estimates. You should also be wary of a mover that asks for your full payment before the move. Avoid movers that have an extensive history of negative reviews or BBB complaints. You should be familiar with your mover rights and responsibilities, as described by the FMCSA.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to find your moving company well before of your move date. We suggest booking your move at least 90 days ahead of time, or possibly earlier if you need specific services, like piano moving or car moving.

Start packing a full four weeks in advance if you plan on packing for your move by yourself. You might choose to keep certain valuable, sentimental, or fragile possessions, such as electronics and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

Create a list of everything that needs to be done before and after your move. The list should include things such as updating your address with the Minnesota DMV.

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

The night before moving day, make sure you get a good night’s sleep.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

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

The FMCSA requires that all interstate movers must provide two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to repair, replace, or provide money back for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. Some moving companies may exclude certain extremely valuable items (generally those valued at over $100 per pound) from this policy. Full Value Protection costs more but gives you more coverage. The second option, Released Value Protection, is offered at no additional cost, but it gives less protection. If you choose this plan, your moving company will compensate you up to 60 cents per pound for items that are lost or damaged.

If you keep your same homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy when you move, it may partially cover your belongings during your move. While this typically doesn't apply to long-distance moves, checking your policy could be beneficial.

Sources

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration