Moving from one home to another is regarded as one of the most stressful events in life. In most cases, the ultimate success of a residential move depends on choosing the right mover \u2013 reputable, experienced, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n
While most house moves get completed without any major problems, some relocation instances can turn into horror stories due to dishonest or \u201crogue\u201d movers that won\u2019t hesitate to take advantage of you any way they can.<\/p>\n
To protect yourself from possible moving fraud and keep your belongings from falling into the wrong hands, you need to do your homework and educate yourself on your viable options when choosing a moving company. Your best line of defense is thorough research and careful planning.<\/p>\n
Follow the 10 steps below to select a reputable interstate mover and eliminate the possibility of becoming a victim of moving fraud.<\/p>\n
Get moving cost estimates in writing from several reputable movers in your area. These written estimates must be based on an in-home survey of your house or apartment and the household goods you intend to move.<\/p>\n
The physical inspection of your home is crucial for getting accurate quotes that will reflect your actual moving cost. Say NO to moving companies that give estimates only over the phone or via e-mail without an actual inspection of your household items.<\/p>\n
Must-read: How to get an accurate moving cost estimate<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s never a good idea to go with the very first moving company that offers to move your belongings. You need to weigh in your relocation options carefully in order to pick the interstate mover that fulfills your requirements, meets your expectations, and fits your budget.<\/p>\n In the majority of cases, it\u2019s a mistake to hire a mover based solely on the lowest estimate. When comparing moving companies and their offers, pay attention not only to the price, but also to the included additional services, online reputation, years of experience, and complaint history of the company.<\/p>\n See also: How to compare moving companies<\/a><\/p>\n Be wary of any cost estimates that happen to be way lower than those offered by other moving companies. Why? A \u201clow-ball\u201d estimate could be a sign of potential moving fraud \u2013 a dishonest mover trying to lure you in and then increase the price drastically at the time of your move or disappear with your deposit money or your belongings.<\/p>\n Stay away from movers that offer you the moon. Remember that if an estimate is too good to be true, it usually is, especially when the mover in question has trouble explaining why their offered price is so low.<\/p>\n Read also: The red flags of moving fraud<\/a><\/p>\n All interstate moving companies must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in order to operate legally in the country. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that each cross-country mover meet various insurance, safety, and financial standards before they are issued with a USDOT number.<\/p>\n A USDOT number is the proof that you\u2019re dealing with a legitimate and properly licensed interstate mover. Use the FMCSA’s mover search tool to get access to up-to-date information about registered interstate movers and their complaint history.<\/p>\n When moving within a state, the requirements for professional moving companies vary. Check with your state, county or local consumer affairs agency, or your state attorney general.<\/p>\n Important: How to check a USDOT number<\/a><\/p>\n Check each moving company\u2019s complaint history, if any, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The FMCSA\u2019s National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB<\/a>) will let you examine the number of complaints lodged against any registered interstate mover in the last four years.<\/p>\n Also, check each mover\u2019s complaint record with the Better Business Bureau (BBB<\/a>). Hiring a BBB-accredited mover with an excellent BBB rating and with few or no customer complaints is a guarantee that you and your belongings will be safe.<\/p>\n To choose a reputable interstate mover, check their online reputation in the form of customer reviews and ratings. Good moving companies understand the importance of good reputation so they do their best to continue to offer high-quality services to their clients.<\/p>\n Visit a trusted moving reviews website and read how people rated the services of the moving companies you\u2019re researching. As a rule of thumb, stay away from professional movers with an overwhelming number of negative reviews and low overall ratings.<\/p>\n Might come in handy: How to spot fake reviews about moving companies<\/a><\/p>\n When selecting a professional moving company, asking the movers a few simple questions can help you make the right decision. After all, you want to make sure your prized possessions will be in good hands throughout the move.<\/p>\n The top 5 questions to ask movers are:<\/p>\n Good advice: What questions to ask movers<\/a><\/p>\n Read carefully any documents that the movers give you before you place your signature on a piece of paper. Pay special attention to the Bill of Lading which is a formal contract between you and the moving company.<\/p>\n Make sure you understand how the cost of your move is calculated and the type and rates of all additional moving services required to complete the move. If there are any conditions or sections in the Bill of Lading that you don\u2019t understand well, ask the movers for clarification and don\u2019t stop until every little detail is clear to you.<\/p>\n IMPORTANT: NEVER sign any blank documents or forms with blank sections to be filled in later by the moving company.<\/strong><\/p>\n See also: What moving company paperwork will you need?<\/a><\/p>\n When choosing a mover, you must understand your options for protecting your items. In reality, you have two options to do just that: Valuation Coverage and Moving insurance.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll automatically get Valuation Coverage when you sign the Bill of Lading, but its liability is only 60 cents per pound per item when moving to another state. That basic coverage is seldom enough so you should seriously consider purchasing additional moving insurance for your household goods.<\/p>\n All professional moving companies should be able to offer you adequate insurance, either from them or from a third-party insurance company they work with. Either way, the mover must issue a policy or a written record of the purchase.<\/p>\n Good to know: Should you purchase moving insurance?<\/a><\/p>\n2. Compare the movers and their estimates<\/h2>\n
3. Don\u2019t be tempted by \u201clow-ball\u201d cost estimates<\/h2>\n
4. Make sure the mover is licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT)<\/h2>\n
5. Check the movers\u2019 complaint history at the FMCSA and the BBB<\/h2>\n
6. Read moving reviews and check movers\u2019 ratings<\/h2>\n
7. Ask your movers the important questions<\/h2>\n
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8. Read the paperwork carefully<\/h2>\n
9. Understand the levels of protection for your belongings<\/h2>\n
10. Know and understand your rights before selecting a mover<\/h2>\n