10 best long-distance moving companies in Clarence, NY

Long-distance or interstate moves bring unique challenges that distinguish them from local moves. When you're moving between states, you may come up against higher costs, complicated logistics, and concerns like how to move your car.

Put your mind at ease by picking the right movers for the job. That’s why we’ve made this guide to the best long-distance movers in Clarence to help you, your family, and your belongings make it safely to your new home.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance moving companies are distinct in many ways. Local movers generally offer moving services within a designated geographic area. They either won't work outside that area, or they'll charge a much higher rate to do so.

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

When faced with an interstate move, it's important to weigh the benefits of hiring long-distance versus local movers. Although local movers may have a better grasp of your specific location and potentially offer more affordable rates, the knowledge and experience that long-distance movers have in handling interstate moves is invaluable. Long-distance moving companies 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 Clarence

Hiring the right long-distance moving company is important, and the choices may be overwhelming. To help you navigate the process of finding a legitimate and reliable long-distance mover in Clarence, we've gathered some recommendations below.

• Ask about insurance: According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), interstate movers must offer customers two insurance coverage types: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Even if your long-distance move is inside one state, ask about the options provided by your mover. In addition to the insurance choices provided by your mover, obtaining your own moving insurance will give you full protection for your possessions. You can find more detailed information about long-term moving insurance coverage below.
• Assess qualifications: Interstate movers must have a USDOT number and must be registered with the FMCSA. This registration gives you peace of mind that a qualified mover is handling your move. The FMCSA enforces certain regulations, such as mandating that movers give clients a written price quote, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance moving providers in Clarence several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. Estimates should include an itemized list with costs for the actual move, insurance coverage, and any additional services you think you might need.
• Look at financing options: Plenty of movers provide financing plans as a way to help customers pay for their moving expenses. If you need financial assistance for your move, a moving or relocation loan might be a strong option to help cover cost. Talk with your moving company about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial assistance for your move. We recommend looking into several choices to select the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Read Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar online review sites to see what others think about certain long-distance moving companies. You should also ask friends and family for recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year for moving, which means moving companies may be harder to hire and costlier if you’re moving between May and September. Because there are so many college students living in Clarence, the beginning and end of the school year may be particularly busy as students move.
• Watch out for red flags: Be suspicious of movers that give you “too good to be true” prices or nonbinding prices. You should also be wary of a mover that asks for your full payment before the move. Avoid moving companies that have an extensive history of bad reviews or BBB complaints. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A helpful piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to secure your moving company well before of your move date. To ensure a smooth move, schedule your movers no less than 90 days ahead of your move date, and potentially even more if you need specific services, like piano moving or car moving.

If you decide to pack for your move by yourself, we recommend starting a month ahead of time. You probably have valuable, fragile, or sentimental items, such as electronics or family heirlooms, that you would prefer to keep in your car rather than packed in the moving truck.

To stay organized, make a detailed list of everything that needs to be done before and after your move, such as notifying the New York DMV of your new address.

Pack necessities for the first couple of days in your new home, such as medicine, toothbrushes, and extra clothes.

The night before moving day, remember to get enough rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

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

The FMCSA requires that all interstate movers must have two insurance options. The first, Full Value Protection, requires movers to replace, repair, or provide a cash settlement for any items lost or damaged during your move. This policy may not apply to certain extremely valuable belongings (typically those valued at over $100 per pound), for some moving companies. You have to pay more for Full Value Protection, but in the long-run you'll get more coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection is offered for free, but it has less protection. This insurance requires your movers to pay you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for belongings lost or damaged during the move.

Your current homeowners or renters insurance policy might partially cover your belongings during the move if you keep the same policy when you move. Checking your policy might be worthwhile, even though they typically don't cover long-distance moves.

Sources

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration