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December 20, 2022 at 8:18 pm | Questions to Ask When Finding a Long-Distance Moving Company

Deciding to move a long distance can be stressful. Whether you’re relocating for family, work, or something else, there are many items to consider on your moving checklist.

Local moves come with challenges, but long-distance moves have many additional difficulties. Therefore, finding a long-distance moving company is a crucial step in the moving process. For this type of move, finding a reputable moving company that can make your interstate move a stress-free experience is essential.

When finding a long-distance moving company, there are specific questions you should ask. Dan the Mover, one of the top residential and commercial moving companies in Montgomery County, PA, has compiled a list of essential questions to keep in mind when evaluating long-distance movers.

1. Is your moving company licensed through the FMCSA?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, is a government agency regulating commercial vehicles’ operation for safety. FMCSA accreditation ensures that the company won’t try to scam you. You can tell when a company is properly licensed by looking for their USDOT number, which is usually listed at the top of their website.

Licensed movers provide peace of mind for your move before you load your heavy items into a moving truck. Therefore, it would be best to ask this question before inquiring about moving estimates or additional services.

2. Is your moving company a broker or a carrier?

All moving companies fall into one of three categories: broker, carrier, or broker/carrier hybrids. It’s important to know the differences when finding a long-distance moving company. But what do these titles mean? 

A broker outsources its moving services to partner companies. After you agree to a move with a broker, the company posts your information to a marketplace board where its partners can bid on the job. Relying on a broker can mean lower prices for you, but a different moving crew from the one you communicated with will arrive on moving day.

A carrier handles your move with their staff, which usually provides a more seamless moving experience than a broker. However, you’ll probably end up paying more to use a carrier.

A broker/carrier hybrid handles your move with their in-house staff but outsources some specialty services. These services include jobs like auto shipping or piano transport.

At Dan the Mover, we handle all our shipping services in-house. This way, you can have peace of mind that there will not be any miscommunications and your personal belongings will be handled with care.

3. What coverage does your moving company offer?

Moving coverage acts like insurance for your items during moving services. This insurance covers the cost of your items if they break or disappear during transportation. 

All moving companies must provide basic liability coverage free of charge. However, complete value protection covers your items for their total market value. This type of coverage costs extra, and not all moving companies offer it as part of their potential moving quote.

Coverage options differ between companies in the moving industry. Therefore, when finding a long-distance moving company, you should always ask which coverage options they provide before choosing one.

4. Does your moving company guarantee delivery dates?

All moving companies provide an estimate of when your belongings will arrive. However, unless they guarantee their delivery dates, your stuff may come late without them owing you anything. Do they offer a guaranteed delivery date? At Dan the Mover, we don’t give you a range of delivery dates. We will let you know exactly when we’ll be there so that you can make plans for move-in day.

If a moving company offers a guaranteed delivery date, it can reduce stress and anxiety. You’ll know that it will arrive across state lines on time.

5. What if I need to cancel my move?

If your situation changes and you need to cancel your move, you won’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a move that doesn’t happen. Get the moving company’s cancellation policy in writing, along with mover names, conversations, and promises about how the company processes a cancellation. You can rest assured that our team will work with you to cancel or reschedule the move if necessary.

Planning a Long-Distance Move? Call Dan the Mover Today!

When finding a long-distance moving company for your big move, there’s no better option than Dan the Mover. Our professional moving team is ready to help with every step of your moving process. In addition, we provide the highest level of customer service during your move.

Whether you need clean-out or packing services in Montgomery County, PA, and the surrounding areas, Dan the Mover offers all the moving services you need. Call Dan the Mover today to find out more!

Dan The Mover