Category: Moving Tips and Guides

Pets have a powerful impact on families because they offer unconditional love. But that impact is significantly amplified in military families and active service members. Pets in the military are popular due to the emotional support they can provide.

For that reason, it’s natural to want to take your pet with you when the military relocates you to a new state or country. It’s even more important to do it as an active service member who deploys overseas a lot and leaves their spouse and kids alone for long periods.

But how does PCSing with pets work, and how much help do you need? Adding a pet to the equation makes every relocation more difficult. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Sort Out the Documentation

There are a couple of things that involve PCSing with pets in the military. Every pet must travel with a rabies vaccine certificate. This applies to domestic and overseas PCSing with cats, dogs, and other pets. You can get the certificate from on-base and off-base vets.

It doesn’t matter what vet you choose, except that an on-base vet clinic might offer discounted services and treatments.

Although this sounds simple enough, it’s not. The age of your pet matters a lot. For example, animals receiving their first rabies vaccine need 28 days before it takes effect. That means you can’t relocate with that pet until the 29th day.

In addition to the rabies vaccine certificate, a 10-day health certificate is necessary when traveling with pets. Keep in mind that not all veterinarians have the authority to issue these certificates. Therefore, it’s best to make an appointment with a Veterinary Corps officer. If you get your orders during the summer, PCSing with Army pets can be difficult.

Summer is the peak season for PCSing, and many on-base vet clinics are busy.

Another document you need is an acclimation letter. Any on-base vet can give you one. The letter states how your pet will travel – cargo or cabin.

These papers cover pretty much everything for PCSing with pets in the military. But not everyone is lucky enough to get a domestic relocation. International moves can have additional requirements you and your pet must satisfy.

When moving overseas with pets, military personnel must research the country of destination. Every country in the world is free to enforce whatever rules and regulations they want for pet travelers. Having a rabies vaccine might only scratch the surface of certifications and paperwork.

For example, some countries may ask for FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) testing for the rabies virus. Others may require specific parasite examinations, proof of treatments against fleas and ticks, and a whole battery of tests. These can take time, especially during a busy PCSing season.

Therefore, taking care of your pet’s travel requirements first and foremost is an excellent thought.

If you want to find out what tests or vaccines your pet needs to travel to any country, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website offers plenty of information.

Train Your Pet

Taking military pets overseas or even to a new domestic military base can be taxing on people and their animals. Not all pets handle long trips well and having a sociable and calm pet will make the relocation less stressful.

Training your pet is a good idea. Of course, you should do this as soon as you get your pet. The longer they have to acclimate to moving crates, the easier it will be when you relocate. Crate training is crucial, especially for Army pets that are more likely to move.

If you have time, you can work with a trainer. If not, taking a few short trips with your pet before relocating is one way to get them accustomed to a specific transport method. Even a couple of rides around town will benefit pets and owners.

In addition, training your pets for PCSing will help you see if they suffer from motion sickness. If that’s the case, your pet may need additional treatments and veterinary care before your relocation.

Locate Pet-Friendly Lodging on Your Route

If you’re PCSing domestically, chances are you might ship your household goods, appliances, personal items, and furniture with experienced military movers. But you and your family might travel by car and take your pet with you.

If the journey is long, you’ll probably need to make a few stops and rest. But not all hotels and motels are friendly to pets. Finding pet-friendly lodging ahead of time is important because you can’t leave pets overnight in your car.

If you’re traveling abroad, pet lodging might also be necessary. Some relocations won’t involve you going directly from the airport or dock to your new home. It’s best to find a place where you can spend one or two nights with your pet. Remember that air travel will inconvenience your pet. Thus, you’ll want to move them quickly to a friendly environment before completing your relocation.

Prepare Appropriately for Travel

If you’re PCSing and carrying your pet by car, you will need extra supplies on hand. Food, water, toys, blankets, a leash, and other items are necessary whether traveling with dogs or cats.

A leash is arguably essential because your pet will need to stretch after a while, the same as you. Therefore, you don’t want to risk your pet running away in a foreign environment.

If driving, consider keeping the heat low in the car. While dogs are quite flexible, cats can easily overheat on long trips in the car, especially in the summer.

Set Money Aside

PCSing with Navy, Air Force, or Army pets isn’t always cheap. You may get some reimbursement from your branch when relocating due to orders. However, the amount won’t always cover all transportation needs, veterinary treatments, documentation, etc.

Moreover, the military might only help you relocate with one pet. But even that’s not a given. If you have more than one pet, you should prepare to support all the costs yourself.

If you anticipate your orders may come through in the immediate future, start planning sooner rather than later. Put money aside for your pet’s expenses, especially when PCSing overseas.

It can cost a lot to get all the paperwork ready, pay for specific treatments, and potentially cover quarantine costs. Owners almost always need to support all costs associated with examinations and quarantine accommodations for their pets.

More Questions Answered

Can You Have Pets in the Military?

While you can’t keep pets in the barracks, there are few restrictions for military personnel living on a base campus or in private homes. A wide range of pets is allowed in military homes, with each base having some latitude for setting specific rules.

Pet owners must be prepared to walk their dogs on leashes at all times or adopt only specific breeds while living on the base. The information you need regarding pet housing on a particular base should be available at the information office.

However, it’s worth noting that many military bases impose a two-pet limit per military household. Therefore, you PCSing with more than two pets can be challenging when relocating to specific bases.

Can You Have Pets in the Air Force?

Any member of the U.S. Air Force can own pets while living on the base. Naturally, owning a pet on the base requires following various rules and regulations. For instance, the Air Force doesn’t allow livestock and swine as pets. Rabbits are also tricky to accommodate but not illegal.

The most important thing to remember is that pet owners are deemed responsible for the actions of their animals on the base. Usually, pets are free to roam around unleashed in the yard or enclosures. But talking them out for a walk around the base requires owners to leash their pets.

These are typical civilian rules regarding pets. Some bases may have special rules about what breeds Airmen can own, how to house them, and how to walk them safely around the base.

Can You Have Pets in the Navy?

Navy installations generally allow up to two dogs or two cats per military base household. In some cases, certain breeds are prohibited from living on base.

Other restrictions could apply to the animal’s size. For example, pets over 70 pounds are unlikely to be welcomed on Navy bases.

Of course, you can’t have pets while going through boot camp, special training, living in the barracks, or serving on a ship. Seamen may also encounter difficulties housing pets at Navy Lodges. Therefore, getting as much information as possible when PCSing with pets in the Navy is important to ensure you won’t get separated from your animal during the relocation.

Does Military Pay to Ship Pets?

Pet owners serving in the military get substantial help when PCSing domestically and internationally. Unfortunately, the reimbursement only assists with shipping costs and sometimes spouse and family relocations. You will not receive military pet travel reimbursement.

When a military family has pets, PCSing costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars more than normal due to the technical and logistical difficulties of moving pets. The military does very little to accommodate those who serve with pets in the military.

Usually, no military branch covers pet PCSing, not even partially. Of course, there could be exceptions regarding rank, the importance of an officer, etc. But no military branch has an obligation to assist with pet PCSing.

What does this mean for military families?

When moving overseas with pets, military channels are unlikely to assist. But they do offer military animal shelters for Army pets, Navy pets, and Air Force pets. They’re often located close to the bases.

The shelters can help provide temporary lodging for animals until their owners can retrieve or return home. It’s not much, but it’s something.

Luckily, military families can go outside the military for assistance. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) responded to this common PCSing problem. The SPCA founded Operation Military Pets.

It’s a platform designed to offer financial assistance to military families during a PCS. The financial help is provided in the form of grants and is available for domestic and international military relocations.

Many families have started applying for grants due to the high costs of moving with pets, especially following short-notice orders.

Even better, all families from military branches qualify for these grants, meaning any family can get the financial aid it needs to keep all its members together.

Remember that SPCA is a non-profit organization and has limited funds. Therefore, its potential to help you during a move depends on your expenses, how many donations it received, etc. In some situations, you may still need temporary lodging for your pets before you can relocate them. If you want to apply for a grant, it’s best to do it as soon as you get your PCS orders.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Unexpected PCS orders rarely impact military families or single active service members positively. Moving requires planning, has complex logistics (especially during international relocations), and it costs money. And when that move involves a pet, the costs can skyrocket.

Fortunately, the military offers some financial aid to cover shipping costs, and moving costs, and may even assist with spouse relocations. It can alleviate some financial stress. With more money to work with, you should have an easier time paying for moving your pets from your current home to the new base. But depending on how far away you must move, you might still face a difficult process.

Take care of all the documentation, examinations, and treatments as soon as possible to avoid pet restrictions. This is crucial for international PCSing. Pets without the proper paperwork can end up in quarantine, returned home, or worse.

Some organizations outside the military, like SPCA International, can offer guidance and financial assistance. In addition, it’s best to find an experienced moving company. Even if you can’t ship your pets with movers, they can take care of the logistics involved in moving furniture, household goods, temporary storage, and everything else.

With a cleaner plate, you can better manage your pets’ relocation.

If you feel that PCS orders are imminent, contact us at 866-226-1441 or get a no-obligation quote online. At Military Movers, we specialize in domestic and foreign PCSing for families in all military branches.

Uprooting the family to live a few months or years on a new base is nothing new for long-time active service members. The military relocates families and individuals all the time. But don’t think that the military’s experience in logistics makes this process much easier.

You can run into the same problems as a civilian when PCSing to Alaska. Army relocations (as well as with other military branches) take time, are stressful, cost money, and can have various unexpected complications. But you can make life easier for yourself and your family if you prepare thoroughly in advance.

Alaska Military Installations

If you’re PCSing to Alaska, you’re likely going to one of the following military bases.

• Clear Air Force Station
• Coast Guard Air Station Sitka
• Coast Guard Base Ketchikan
• Coast Guard Base Kodiak
• Coast Guard Sector Anchorage
• Coast Guard Sector Juneau
• Eielson AFB
• Fort Greely
• Fort Wainwright
• Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Fort Wainwright has the largest training facility, and many Army personnel end up there for long stretches.

But whether you’re planning to PCS to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, or another military installation, there’s a lot you need to know about relocating to the coldest region of the North American continent.

Know the Methods of Transport

You can move to Alaska by car, ferry, plane, or a combination of all three. It depends on your departure location and destination. Another factor influencing transport is the time of the year. The weather can make PCSing to Alaska difficult between May and August.

While this may not matter much to you, the weather also affects moving companies. If you have to ship your belongings during severe winter conditions, it’s best to pay a premium and hire the best moving company in the region.

Due to the weather conditions, moving furniture and household goods to Alaska demands enclosed trailers or shipping crates. This alone means that shipping costs are higher compared to other destinations.

Prepare for the Weather

Active service members are usually physically fit and can adapt to new environments easier than civilians. That doesn’t mean PCSing to Alaska is a walk in the park. For example, central Alaska has some of the worst weather due to frequent temperature fluctuations.

You can get snow in the middle of May, have summer days with 90 degrees, and walk outside in -50 degrees weather during the winter. Adapting to these conditions can take a toll without mental and physical preparation and the right supplies.

Know What Supplies to Take to Alaska

When PCSing to Alaska, Army personnel and military families realize that they must pack differently than for other domestic or international relocations. First, you need quality winter clothing. You can’t go everywhere in just your winter military uniform.

Secondly, it’s best to stock up on winter clothing before arriving in Alaska. The state usually has higher living costs. Therefore, buying essentials, including weather-appropriate clothing, will save you more money.

Then, you should consider any household essentials and appliances. Getting merchandise to Alaska is hard, especially during the winter. You may find that many supplies are in limited inventory and the most essential comfort items sell quickly.

You must winterproof your vehicle if you’re driving the family to Alaska and shipping your belongings with military movers. Take it to a shop and get a professional mechanic to inspect every nut and bolt.

It’s vital to have a battery in good condition, plenty of antifreeze, working wipers, fresh oil, windshield fluid rated for Alaska temperatures, etc. You should probably get a set of tire chains and learn how to use them. You might need them by the time you make it to your new home.

Figure Out Your Entitlements

PCSing to Alaska comes with some perks courtesy of the military branch you belong to. Part of your moving costs will be covered by the military. You can get reimbursement for lodging, mileage, transportation expenses, etc.

But figuring out your exact travel entitlements is crucial to plan an efficient budget. Not every member of the military has the same cargo weight allowance. In addition, weight allowances are per family, not for each dependent relocating with you.

Here’s an updated list of PCS weight allowances for different ranks.

• Academy Cadets – 350 pounds
• Midshipmen – 350 pounds
• Aviation Cadets – 7,000 pounds
• Privates – 5,000 pounds
• Corporals – 7,000 pounds
• Sergeants – 7,000 pounds
• Staff Sergeants – 8,000 pounds
• Sergeants First Class – 11,000 pounds
• Master Sergeants – 12,000 pounds
• Sergeant Majors – 13,000 pounds
• First Officers and Academy Graduates – 10,000 pounds
• First Lieutenants – 12,500 pounds
• Captains – 13,000 pounds
• Lieutenant Commanders – 14,000 pounds
• Lieutenant Colonels – 16,000 pounds
• Colonels to Generals – 18,000 pounds

Remember that weight allowances can always change, and some branches may give extra weight allowance when PCSing with the entire family or dependents. But the increase in allowance is usually small.

However, getting clear on your weight allowance gives you a good idea of how much money you may have to pay out of pocket.

Updated weight allowance information for every rank is available on every official website of the four military branches. Alternatively, you can ask questions at the information office on the base.

Consider Hiring Movers Yourself

Many military installations work with military movers. Alaska relocations can be managed by the military. That means you don’t have to do anything other than pack, be on time, and report for duty. The military hires movers, arranges a schedule, and pays for the service.

It’s often called an HHG move and is managed by a branch of the Department of Defense (DOD).

But that may not always be in your best interest when PCSing to Alaska. It’s less stressful, but it can be expensive, rushed, and not always ideal.

Normally, you can get your weight allowance in hand and perhaps even an advance payment. This is more common when relocating over long distances.

Theoretically, you can keep any money left over from the move if you can arrange a moving deal that doesn’t require your full allowance. Military bases typically don’t have time to bargain hunt, negotiate, etc.

They usually find a good moving company and stick with them as long as they provide an efficient service. It doesn’t mean they’re always the best or cheapest. But no military branch will force you to move with a specific company.

Nor will they deny you your weight allowance for choosing to hire movers yourself. Therefore, you could find a better deal and pocket some change to spend on other things after your relocation.

What to Do When PCSing to Alaska With a Spouse

The relocation of military spouses is covered by all military branches. But there’s something you should know before your PCS to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, or wherever you’re final destination may be. The military only covers transportation and other relocation costs if you and your spouse live together and leave together.

If your spouse lives elsewhere or they’re on a trip, the military won’t cover their relocation expenses. Your spouse can still join you in Alaska but must finance their trip themselves.

Furthermore, you must ensure your paperwork is in order. Many military personnel get married before getting PCS orders. But if the marriage certificate isn’t filled and registered in time, the spouse won’t have a relocation allowance during the PCS move.

These regulations mostly affect newlyweds, unmarried couples, and couples living apart. That said, the military does a good job of controlling spending regarding PCS. And neither rule is too extreme. They’re mostly common sense guidelines.

Get Information From Military Movers

If you’re PCSing to Alaska for the first time, there’s a lot to learn about the process. Not even active service members who relocated multiple times know all the ropes, especially those who used HHG moves.

Therefore, there are a couple of things to know about what you can and can’t move.

Pets

You can take pets with you to live on base, except if you’re living in the barracks. However, you can’t have more than two pets, and some bases restrict ownership of pets to certain breeds.

In addition, there’s no military allowance for PCSing with pets. You must pay out of pocket. That’s why handling your own move is a good idea. It can save money under the right set of circumstances, and that money can go toward relocating your pets.

Firearms

Military movers approved by the DOD are generally licensed to transport firearms. However, owning specific guns and ammo is restricted even to active service members outside the base.

Your movers can tell you what they can and can’t transport across state lines and how you must pack your weapons for safe and legal transport.

Hazardous Materials

There’s a long list of hazardous materials you won’t be able to take with you when PCSing to Alaska. Gasoline, paint, and select cleaning supplies make a list. Surprisingly, batteries are also considered too hazardous for moving with other cargo.

Appliances and machinery that runs on gasoline must be empty before loading onto a moving truck. Motorcycles and vehicles should also have empty tanks if shipped on trailers.

Shipping Your Personal Vehicle

Fortunately, an OCONUS move like PCSing to Alaska entitles you to reimbursement on shipping a personal vehicle. However, the military doesn’t cover expenses for more than one personal vehicle, so you must choose carefully.

Military Discounts

Some military movers offer exclusive discounts to active service members, military spouses, veterans, etc. It’s worth learning if you can benefit from this before choosing a moving company.

Grants

Since the military doesn’t cover PCSing with pets, you need to set aside enough money to ensure your pets arrive safely and comfortably in their new home. If you don’t go past the weight allowance limit for your rank, you can save some money to use on pet relocation.

However, if you’re strapped for cash, you can try applying for a grant from the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). The SPCA operates a non-profit department that helps military families relocate with their pets domestically and abroad.

Military movers can provide guidance on these topics and help you prepare more efficiently for PCS.

Before You Get Your Quote

Pricing can differ significantly between military moving companies based on weather, time of year, weight, distance, and special cargo requirements. But don’t let pricing be the only deciding factor when picking a moving company.

First, make sure it’s licensed and experienced within the state of Alaska. Secondly, ask for proof of insurance and find out how much liability coverage it has. You’ll want to know your belongings are safe and covered in case something goes wrong.

Next, it’s worth reading some online reviews and checking complaints made by previous customers. You want to get a sense of a mover’s customer service and customer interaction.

Ask for a full list of services offered and how much you can personalize your move. For instance, you may not need packing, unpacking, and installation services.

Lastly, you should ask for an estimate before scheduling an in-person or video inspection.

These are steps you should take before every move, even when hiring a company with a good reputation within your military branch. As previously mentioned, DOD-vetted companies aren’t always the best or most affordable. If you’re taking matters into your own hands during your next move, you might as well do a bit more research and get all the facts.

Work With Professionals to Make the Process Easier

Whether choosing an HHG moving service or taking matters into your own hands, you must always work with professional movers. Relocations can disrupt military families more than they do civilians due to the added pressure and often short notice.

Adding to that disruption is moving to a base that isn’t in the most hospitable environment – Alaska – and the pressure can get the better of you.

But systematically preparing your move and learning about your destination should help you manage the logistics and budget accordingly for the trip.

And sometimes, getting help makes a big difference. During our 30 years in this business, we’ve worked with countless military personnel at home and abroad. If you want immediate assistance or support, don’t hesitate to call Military Movers at 866-226-1441. Or reach out online for a no-obligation quote and additional information on how we can help.

If you’re planning to relocate over a long distance, moving van hire combined with a few willing friends isn’t going to cut it. Long distance moving requires coordination and more time than short-distance moving, which means you need to find appropriate long distance moving services.

The question is how?

With so many moving companies to choose from, how do you find movers that are capable of shipping your items to their destination safely and with minimal fuss? This article answers that question by sharing some of the key tips for finding great long distance shipping companies.

Tip No. 1 – Choose the Type of Moving Service You Need

On the basic level, a moving company transports your household goods (HHGs) from one location to another. But there are several other services that a mover can offer on top of transportation.

For example, a full service long distance moving company can handle the packing of your HHGs, as well as their transportation. Other companies offer storage, which is often ideal for military personnel who may ship their HHGs to their new duty station ahead of arriving themselves.

You must understand what you need from your moving company before you start your search. If you’re looking for long distance moving and packing companies, that means eliminating any movers that don’t handle packing duties from your list. Knowing what you want helps you save a ton of time in your search because it ensures you don’t waste time talking to companies that ultimately can’t serve you.

Tip No. 2 – Get References

Perhaps you have friends or family members that have moved over a long distance before. If you’re in the military, the odds are high that at least one person on your base has needed to engage a long distance moving company’s services before.

This is all good news for you.

Speak to people who’ve used these types of moving companies before. Ask them for recommendations and quiz them about their experiences with their movers. These personal approvals are the strongest references a moving company can have.

But what if you don’t know anybody who’s used long distance moving services before?

You still have a few options for references. You could contact professional moving organizations, such as the American Moving and Storage Association. They can provide lists of members who are duty-bound to conduct themselves based on the organization’s codes of conduct.

Furthermore, consider calling moving companies directly to ask for a list of references. This is a good test of a company because any that can’t provide references are likely companies that you don’t want to work with. For those that do, remember that they’ll only provide references from happy clients. Keep this element of bias in mind while asking questions about the client’s experiences with the mover.

Tip No. 3 – Check the Mover’s Licenses

Moving companies often require several licenses to operate legally. Many states require moving companies to register with their local departments of transportation, or a similar agency, before they can conduct their business. It’s worth checking your state’s governmental websites to determine if the residential long distance movers you’re considering need licenses. If you discover that they do, ask the mover to provide evidence of this licensing.

A moving company’s licensing requirements become even more stringent if they offer moves between different states. As that’s the case for all long distance moving companies, any movers you work with need to have a license from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). This usually comes in the form of a USDOT number, which you can request from your moving company.

What if a moving company offers a fake USDOT number?

You can check any USDOT number you receive via the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Company Snapshot online database. Just enter the mover’s USDOT number into the search field and you should get a result showing you the company’s details and important information about licensing and insurance. Use this resource to confirm the legitimacy of any moving company you consider working with.

Tip No. 4 – Follow the Rule of Three

The rule of three states that you should collect at least three long distance moving companies’ quotes before making your decision.

Why three?

If you only collect a single quote, you’ll have no idea if you’re being charged a fair price. With no additional reference points, you might end up paying more than you should for your long distance move. By collecting at least three quotes, you’re able to get an idea of the average cost of your move. This helps you weed out companies that charge too much.

As for getting a long distance moving quote, be wary of any company that doesn’t provide an in-person estimate. While many companies offer general quotes online, they should always send somebody to your property to examine the HHGs you need to move. This in-person estimate is vital because it allows your mover to determine the collective bulk and weight of the items you want to move. Plus, it allows them to see if any pieces of furniture require special equipment or techniques to move.

If a company doesn’t provide an in-person estimate, they can’t know enough about the challenges your move presents. This may result in the movers being underprepared and, in some cases, lead to the mover asking for more money to deal with issues they didn’t anticipate. Simply put, always request an in-person estimate from long distance residential moving companies you’re considering.

Tip No. 5 – Always Check Reviews and Testimonials

Never engage a long distance moving company’s services before you’ve conducted extensive research on the quality of those services. If you’ve followed the tips in this article, you’ve already started that research by gathering references and speaking to family members and friends. But you can always supplement that initial research by checking the movers out online.

Start with the company’s website. While remembering that everything on the website is written to entice you toward buying the mover’s services, search for testimonials and case studies. These are both examples of social proof that come from previous clients who are happy with the moving company’s services. Of course, the movers will only present good reviews on their website. But the fact those reviews are present shows that the company has happy clients, which is a good sign.

From there, move on to searching for independent reviews. Social media platforms and the moving company’s Google Business page are both good sources for these reviews. It’s also worth checking the company on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, though it’s worth noting that reviews and feedback on the tend to slant toward the negative. Still, by compiling feedback from as many sources as possible, you get a balanced opinion on the quality of service long distance movers offer.

Tip No. 6 – Ask the Company About Its Routes

Your moving company will drive hundreds, or even thousands, of miles to get your HHGs to their destination. Knowing this, it’s always worth asking the company about their long distance van lines. Which routes do they normally take? Why do they choose those routes?

Ideally, the company should be able to explain that the routes it takes help to save you money by shortening the journey or allowing them to get your HHGs to their destination quicker. If the mover can’t explain the reasoning behind its routing, this suggests they don’t invest enough time into proper route planning. Seeing as many of these companies charge you per mile driven, a lack of planning on the mover’s part could cost you a lot of money. By asking your movers about their routes, you can determine if the company takes the fastest and shortest route possible to your destination.

Tip No. 7 – Always Clarify What the Mover Insures

All long distance moving companies have to offer liability insurance to their customers. Don’t work with any company that isn’t fully insured or you’ll risk monetary loss if your HHGs get damaged in transit.

It’s also worth noting that liability insurance policies are all different.

For example, some moving companies won’t insure items that get damaged in transit if they didn’t pack the items themselves. If you’re planning on saving some money by doing the packing yourself, remember that you may not be able to make a claim if the HHGs you packed get damaged.

Another example lies in the level of cover provided. You may find that some movers offer enough cover for the full value of your HHGs while others don’t. It’s also possible that a mover’s insurance will require you to pay a deductible before you can make a claim.

The point is that every insurance policy is different. Always ask your long distance moving company to clarify what its insurance covers. Furthermore, ask for copies of their insurance documentation and a Certificate of Insurance, both to confirm what they’re telling you and to confirm the company has insurance in the first place.

Tip No. 8 – Check for Name Changes

Unfortunately, some less scrupulous moving companies will go to great lengths to trick unsuspecting customers into hiring them. A common example involves a moving company changing its name to get away from the poor reputation it developed when trading under a different moniker. Alternatively, some companies use name changes to scam their customers. Often, these scams involve contacting the customer under one name until they convince their client to make a deposit. Then, the company abandons its previous name and trades under a different one, essentially disappearing into thin air and leaving the scammed customer with nothing.

With all of this in mind, it’s a good idea to check if your moving company has ever operated under a different name. Again, the BBB is a good resource for finding any previous trading names. Your state may also have a state agency, such as a department of corporations, that you can contact to ask questions. Some even maintain databases of entity filings.

Avoid any long distance moving companies that have changed their names several times. This is usually a red flag indicating the company is trying to escape negative connotations linked to its previous name.

Tip No. 9 – Don’t Pay a Large Deposit

It’s legal for a moving company to ask you to pay a deposit to secure your date. However, this is far from routine practice, to the point that most movers don’t ask for one.

But what if yours does?

First of all, it’s important to understand the purpose of a deposit. Moving companies tend to use deposits as collateral to protect them if a customer pulls out of a booking. You may find they’re more common with long distance moves because the mover has to dedicate a lot of time and resources to a booking. If the customer pulls out, they stand to lose a lot of money.

Even so, there are limits to the deposit a reputable moving company will request. Expect to spend no more than a couple of hundred dollars. Any companies that ask for more, such as the rare few that require a 50% deposit, may be operating scams. It’s also a good idea to seek feedback from previous customers to see if they had to pay deposits.

Assuming you go ahead with the deposit, always pay it via credit card. This ensures your payment is traceable and allows you to request a chargeback if the moving company ends up being a scam. Don’t work with any movers that only accept cash deposits.

Take Care When Searching for Long Distance Moving Companies

Arranging a long distance move is stressful enough. Trying to do it with a moving company that you don’t trust is even more stressful. By following the tips in this article, you ensure that work with movers who are capable and trustworthy.

That’s where Military Movers come in.

We specialize in helping military personnel plan and complete long distance and overseas moves. Working in partnership with A1 Auto Transport, we’ve provided long distance moving services to military personnel for over 30 years. If you’d- like to learn more about what we do, or want to get a quote from one of our specialists, call us at 866-226-1441 or get in touch online today.