Best Moving Companies for Military Members (2024)
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You may feel anxious about your relocation and list of to-dos if you’re one of the many military members called for a permanent change of station (PCS). You can alleviate most of your stress by hiring a professional moving company such as International Van Lines (IVL) or American Van Lines to handle some or all of the move.
We looked at the top professional moving companies’ costs, service offerings, customer service, reviews, military discounts, and more to find the best for military moves. We also spoke with industry experts and surveyed thousands of moving customers to provide you with reliable information and recommendations. IVL is our top pick for military moves because of the company’s long history in the industry and extensive service selection. American Van Lines is our second pick because of its in-house, certified moving crews that have experience handling military moves. Learn more about our seven picks for military moves below.
Best Moving Companies for Military Moves in 2024
We created a 100-point rating system and methodology that analyzes each provider’s service packages, insurance coverage, military benefits, inspection rate reports with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and more. Here’s our list of the best moving companies for military moves in 2024:
- Best Full-Service Mover: International Van Lines
- Best Overall Moving Labor: American Van Lines
- Most Efficient: Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
- Most Affordable: U-Pack
- Most Reliable Pricing: Safeway Moving Inc.
- Best Customer Service: Moving APT
- Best Specialized Packing: JK Moving Services
What Should I Know About Military Movers?
You should know how much your move might cost, the insurance available, and the services you can choose.
How Much Does a Military Move Cost?
The cost of a military move varies widely depending on the service member’s rank, whether they’re married or have dependents, where they’re moving from and to, and whether it’s a domestic or international move. The military provides allowances to cover many PCS costs, but there are often out-of-pocket expenses.
Some of the standard allowances provided include the following:
- Transportation of household goods (handled by the military or through a privately contracted moving company)
- Temporary lodging and food per diem during the move
- Mileage reimbursement if driving to the new duty station
- Dislocation allowance to help cover miscellaneous costs
The service member is responsible for costs exceeding the standard allowances. These extra costs include what moving companies charge based on estimated weight and additional services such as packing, unpacking, and storage.
What Is Moving Insurance?
Moving insurance provides financial protection against loss or damage to household goods during a move. Companies are required by law to offer released value protection. This protection provides replacement value coverage for lost or damaged items, but only at a depreciated rate. Therefore, reimbursement for damages may not be enough to fully replace more expensive items such as electronics or antiques.
Service members can purchase third-party moving insurance to get full replacement coverage. This private insurance covers the difference between the depreciated value reimbursed by the military and the replacement cost. Rates and coverage levels vary between insurers.
What Military Moving Services Are Available?
The government provides several moving services for military members and their families during a PCS. The military helps arrange packing, transportation, and unpacking of household items through contracted moving companies. Weight allowances vary by rank and whether it’s a domestic or international move. Additionally, the government pays for the storage of household goods for up to 90 days if the new home is not ready upon arrival. Longer storage is the service member’s responsibility. The government also provides lodging per diem for 10 days, with potential extensions approved in some situations.
You also have the option to personally arrange your moving service at your own expense, providing more flexibility and customization. There are three main service models for moving. The most comprehensive and expensive option is a full-service move. It involves hiring a moving company to pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack your belongings. Your next option is a partial-move service, where you pack some of your belongings, and the movers handle the difficult items.
Lastly, you can opt for a self-move, which involves renting a moving truck or having a mover deliver a storage container to your current home and then drive it to the new one.
Compare Top Moving Companies for Military Moves
See which moving companies offer military discounts, can help with vehicle moving, are GSA-approved, or provide other services that are valuable for military members.
*BBB ratings are accurate as of February 2024.
International Van Lines
Best Service Offerings
American Van Lines
Best Overall Moving Labor
Interstate Moving & Relocation Group
Most Efficient
U-Pack
Most Affordable
Safeway Moving Inc.
Most Reliable Pricing
Moving APT
Best Customer Service
JK Moving Services
Best Specialized Packing
How Do You Prepare for a Military Move?
Moving companies often provide materials and tools to help you remember important steps to accomplish during a move. For example, some moving companies offer personal moving coaches, and others provide moving checklists. Even with these resources, there are some important steps that you might miss when you are preparing for your move.
- Create an inventory: An important step is making an inventory to take note of the condition of your items. You should also take photos of the items if possible. These notes and photos will be useful if you file a loss or damage claim for reimbursement.
- Condense your belongings: We recommend you make two piles as moving day draws near. Place items you can donate in one pile, and place items you want to throw away in the other pile. You can spend some time taking each pile to its respective drop-off location a few days before your movers arrive.
- Gather necessary documents: Collect all essential paperwork, including orders, identification, medical records, and any other pertinent documents required for the move. Ensure these documents are readily accessible throughout the relocation process.
- Notify important people: Be sure to notify your internet provider, electricity and water companies, insurance companies, tax agencies, utility companies, the post office, and the Social Security Administration that you’re moving and will have a new address.
Expert Tips and Insights
We asked six experts to share their insights on the stressors associated with military moves and how loved ones can offer support. Read their tips below.
Our Conclusion
Each provider in our review has advantages, but we recommend International Van Lines as our top military mover. The company can be more expensive than some competitors, but we believe the value you get is worth it. You get a full-service moving partner, so you don’t have to lift a finger, as well as insurance coverage, outstanding customer service, GPS shipment tracking, and years of experience handling military moves.
American Van Lines is another excellent option for military members and families with its highly experienced moving labor that makes relocating priceless antiques and artwork easier. Lastly, we recommend Interstate Moving & Relocation Group if you’re juggling many responsibilities during your PCS and would rather have someone simplify the quote-gathering process.
We recommend reading customer reviews before deciding on a moving partner and getting quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.
FAQ About Military Moves
Does the military pay for movers?
What is a military move called?
A military move is referred to as a PCS. When using a moving company, they’re referred to as either a personally procured move (PPM) or a DIY move.
What moving company does the military use?
There is no set company that the military uses for PCS relocations. We recommend IVL as our top choice for military moves.
How much will you get for a PPM?
Opting for a PPM will allow you to receive a payment equal to what it would cost the government to move you. Additionally, you’ll also receive standard travel allowances for you and your family. You get to keep the balance if you spend less than the government’s payment.
Other Moving Resources
We’ve done extensive research on the best moving companies across the country and have compiled easy to digest comparisons:
- Best Interstate Moving Companies
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling options, additional benefits and custom service options, and reputation among customers to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
