8 best long-distance moving companies in San Juan, TX

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

The right moving professionals can help ease your worries. To help ensure you, your loved ones, and your belongings reach your new home without incident, we've put together this list of the best long-distance movers in San Juan.

What Makes Long-Distance Movers Different From Local Movers?

Local and long-distance moving companies differ in a few ways. Local movers generally offer 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.

When it comes to pricing, long-distance movers typically charge based on the weight of your items, while local movers usually set fees based on the length of time required for your move. However, some movers use a mix of time and weight to calculate their rates, so be sure to ask your specific provider about its prices.

While local movers may have more experience moving in your specific area (and be more affordable), the knowledge and experience of a long-distance moving company is highly valuable, especially when moving between states. Hiring 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 San Juan

With so many long-distance movers to choose from, the options may be overwhelming, making it challenging to pick the right one for your needs. To help you navigate the process of finding a legitimate and reliable long-distance moving company in San Juan, we've put together some guidance 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. If you're moving long-distance but not across state lines, you can ask about these or other insurance options. In addition to the insurance coverage carried by your mover, obtaining your own moving insurance will give you better protection for your belongings. We discuss long-distance moving insurance options in more detail 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 rules, such as mandating that movers supply a written estimate, and also publishes moving companies' complaint histories on its website.
• Compare costs: Reach out to several long-distance moving providers in San Juan several months before your move and ask for detailed quotes. 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: Plenty of movers offer financing options to help you pay for your move. 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. Talk with your mover about financing plans or relocation loans if you need financial help with your move. We suggest looking into several options to get the one with the best rates and fewest fees.
• Read reviews: Check online reviews on sites such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and similar platforms to learn what others have said about particular long-distance movers. Friends and loved ones can also provide valuable recommendations.
• Think about timing: Summer is the most popular time of year to move, which means movers may be harder to hire and costlier if you’re moving during the summer months. San Juan also has a lot of college students living in the area, so June and August may be particularly busy because of students moving.
• Watch out for red flags: Moving companies that give you nonbinding or seemingly "too good to be true" quotes should make you suspicious. Reliable moving companies generally won't request your complete payment upfront. Avoid moving companies with an extensive history of poor reviews or BBB complaints. Familiarize yourself with the FMCSA's guidelines on your mover rights and responsibilities.

Long-Distance Moving Tips

A valuable piece of advice when planning a long-distance move is to book your moving company well in advance of your move date. It's best if you schedule your move at least 90 days beforehand. This gives you enough time to hire a moving company. You may even want to start planning earlier than that if you need specialized services, like piano or car moving.

When packing for your move by yourself, get started at least four weeks in advance. You might choose to keep certain sentimental, valuable, or fragile possessions, such as artwork and family heirlooms, with you in your car rather than in the moving truck.

Put together a list of everything that needs to be done before and after your move. The list should include items such as updating your address with the Texas DMV.

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

The night before your move, make sure you get plenty of rest.

Moving Insurance for Long-Distance Moves

Moving insurance is crucial for long-distance moves. It'll reimburse you if any of your possessions are lost or damagedin the move.

The FMCSA mandates that all interstate movers must offer two insurance options. Full Value Protection requires movers to replace, repair, or provide money back for any possessions lost or damaged while moving. This policy may not apply to certain possessions that are extremely valuable (typically those valued at over $100 per pound), for some movers. Full Value Protection is more expensive but gives you more comprehensive coverage. Alternatively, Released Value Protection is offered for free, but it has less protection. This plan requires your moving company to compensate you a maximum of 60 cents per pound for items lost or damaged during the move.

If you keep your same homeowners insurance or renters insurance policy when you move, it may partially cover your belongings during your move. This typically isn’t the case for long-distance moves, but checking your policy might be worth a look.

Sources

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration