10 best long-distance moving companies in St. Charles, MO

There are several importantfactors that distinguish long-distance or interstate moves from local moves. If you’re moving interstate or long-distance, you may deal with complicated logistics, higher costs, and concerns such as how to move your car.

Choosing the right movers can help relieve your concerns. To help ensure you, your family members, and your belongings get to your new home safely, we've compiled this guide to the leading long-distance movers in St. Charles.

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 keep in mind. Local moving companies generally provide moving services within a designated geographic location. They either won't work outside that area, or they'll charge an exorbitant rate to do so.

Local movers are also more likely to charge based on time, while long-distance movers more likely to charge based on the weight. Certain moving companies may use a mix of time and weight when setting their rates, so make sure to discuss pricing with your specific provider.

Local St. Charles moving companies may have a more knowledge of your specific location and provide less expensive services, but their experience with interstate moves is probably limited. Long-distance movers can be especially valuable for interstate moves. These companies are more likely to have the proper information and experience to help with the logistics and legalities of a long-distance move.

How To Choose a Long-Distance Mover in St. Charles

When you're selecting a long-distance mover, the wide range of choices may be overwhelming. Here are some tips for finding a reliable long-distance mover in St. Charles.

• Ask about insurance: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires interstate movers to offer two kinds of options for insurance coverage: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. If you're moving long-distance but not across state lines, you can ask about these or other insurance options. To completely protect your belongings during the move, we recommend purchasing your own moving insurance on top of the coverage provided by your mover. You can find more thorough information about long-term moving insurance plans below.
• Assess qualifications: Moving companies performing interstate moves must be registered with the FMCSA and have a USDOT number. This registration serves as a sign that you're working with a qualified company. The FMCSA publishes movers’ complaint histories on its website and enforces regulations such as requiring movers to supply clients with a written price quote.
• Compare costs: Start getting quotes several months before your move. For a thorough comparison, be sure to request detailed cost breakdowns from several long-distance movers in St. Charles. As you compare estimates, ensure that they include costs for the physical move, insurance coverage, and any added services you'll use.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers provide financing options as a way to help customers afford their moving expenses. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a good option to help pay for some of the expenses. Ask your mover about relocation loans or financing plans if you need financial assistance for your move. Researching several choices allows you to find 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 other clients think about particular long-distance moving companies. Also, ask for recommendations from your neighbors and family.
• Think about timing: If you plan on moving between May and September, keep in mind that summer is the most popular time of year for moves. This can make it harder and more expensive to book a moving company. St. Charles also has a lot of college students living in the area, so the beginning and end of the semesters may be particularly busy due to students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Be cautious of movers that offer “too good to be true” quotes or nonbinding quotes. Additionally, legitimate movers shouldn’t ask for the full payment upfront. Steer clear of moving companies that have an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints. The FMCSA details mover rights and responsibilities of which you should be aware.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A useful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to secure your moving company well in advance of your move date. It's best if you book your move at least three months ahead of time. This gives you plenty of time to hire a moving company. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need specific services, like piano or car moving.

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

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

Pack a bag of essentials for the first few days of your move, such as extra clothes, medications, and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

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 all interstate movers to provide 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 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 more coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection doesn't cost you anything, but it gives less coverage. If you choose this plan, your movers will pay you up to 60 cents per pound for items that are damaged or lost.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might cover some of your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy. This typically isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but it may be worth checking your policy.

Sources

Missouri Department of Revenue U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration