Summer is a busy time of the year for moving. The Better Business Bureau and the American Moving & Storage Association offer these tips to make your move a successful one:
Check out your mover. Start with the BBB. The agency hears from consumers nationwide who have had major problems with their move, such as having their belongings stolen or damaged or any number of other problems. Also check the moving company’s record with the state in which it is based. In addition, all interstate movers must be licensed by the federal government and are assigned a motor carrier number. These numbers can be verified on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s web site.
Get at least three written estimates. The key is to insist on in-home estimates instead of an over-the-phone estimate. Don’t automatically go with the lowest estimate; take a mover’s record and references and take into account what each company includes for the price quoted. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Know your insurance options. If you’re hiring a moving company, you’ll likely be offered several different insurance options, ranging from full replacement value to more limited coverage. The most extensive coverage, full replacement value, is the most costly. But with that type of coverage, any of your belongings that are lost or damaged will be repaired or replaced or you’ll be given a cash settlement. Not sure what your homeowner’s insurance covers and when, during a move? Does your auto insurance cover you when you’re driving a moving van? Give us a call. We would be happy to go over all of that with you before moving day.
For a host of tips designed to help you have a successful move, go here. Happy moving!
