Tag: moving insurance

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Moving Company

How to Find Reliable Moving Companies in CT

How to Find Reliable Moving Companies in CT

Thanks to the internet, you can find dozens of movers in Connecticut in a couple of seconds. However, there are almost too many companies to choose from and, more importantly, there are more scammers out there than ever before. In some ways, finding a trustworthy CT moving company is harder than ever as you will have to spend time researching each potential company. Still, you’ll be happy that you performed your due diligence once all of your belongings are safely in your new home.

If you don’t know where to start when looking for CT movers, the steps below should help you weed out any potential low-quality movers and scammers.

Ask Friends and Family

Sure, the internet is great, but there’s nothing better than having your friends and/or family members provide you with recommendations. Nowadays, even online reviews aren’t necessarily trustworthy as companies can easily pay people to write good reviews. What they can’t do is pay off people you already know. If you know someone who used a professional CT movers, ask them about their experience. Some good questions to ask include:

  • Were the movers on-time?
  • Was the moving crew professional?
  • Did anything get damaged during the move and how did the company respond?
  • Did the final moving cost match the initial quote? If not, was it because you forgot to include something or did they try to up charge you?
  • What additional services, if any, from the movers did you use? How do you rate that service?

Ask as many questions as you can think of! Your friends and family should be more than happy to answer them and give insight into the good and bad of the company they used. If their report sounds good to you, then make sure to add that moving company to the list.

You might not know anyone who has moved recently, so your next best bet is to read online reviews. No company has 100% customer satisfaction. If you notice thousands of reviews but zero complaints, the company might have deleted some of the more critical ones. You should also filter by lower ratings and see what the issues were. It’s up to you to decide if these negative reviews are warranted or not.

Shop Around

Yes, even if your friends or family members gave glowing reviews for the same moving company, it’s in your best interest to find at least two other options. There are a few reasons for this:

Choosing a moving day that works around your schedule

While most movers should have availability during the time frame that might not always be the case if you’re moving during peak season (May-September) or making a last-minute move. If your move falls into either category you definitely want to have some backup options in case the one you really want falls through.

Ensuring a company offers all of the services you need

All moving companies offer basic loading and unloading, but not all offer the same extra services. Many don’t even offer the same quality of service for their basic moves! Highly-rated movers in CT will include free services with the basic move such as disassembling and reassembling basic furniture, wardrobe boxes, dismounting TVs, etc.

If you require something besides basic moving, such as packing/unpacking, storage, etc., mention that in your initial call. You don’t want any surprises on the day of the move!

Negotiating a better rate

You likely won’t see huge fluctuations in the estimate for your move so long as you are in contact with professional moving companies. If one estimate seems significantly cheaper than the others, don’t book them. Chances are the company is trying to scam you!

With that said, you can see if the company has any active deals going on especially if you’re moving during off-peak season. You can often leverage the quote from another company to negotiate a better rate with the movers you prefer.

Verify Their Legitimacy

All reputable moving companies have a unique number that is provided by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) when they register as a moving company. All movers must provide this number on their website and in their advertising. In addition, they must also have a carrier number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you don’t see the number anywhere on their site, consider that a red flag. You can always call and ask for it, but the information is supposed to be readily available so you can do your research before calling. If they cannot provide a number, do not book them!

To check a USDOT number go to the FMCSA site and search for the moving company you are using. You can check if there are any complaints, crashes, safety issues, etc. While you’re on the search result, you should check the following:

  • Basic information – make sure the company name, address, and phone number on the site matches what you see on the website
  • State carrier ID – not all states require a USDOT. If that’s the case, you can look up their state carrier ID that verifies they can make local moves
  • Operating status – make sure it says active! Avoid any companies that are inactive, out-of-service, or not authorized.

In order for moving companies to get their DOT number, they have to prove they have the appropriate insurance. In general, professional movers should have general and automobile liability insurance as well as workers’ compensation and property insurance. That way, should anything happen during the move, nothing comes out of your pocket. That means, if the movers damage your old or new home, their insurance will handle the cost of repair. It also means that if one of the moving crews gets injured on the job, the moving company will handle it.

Look Out for Other Red Flags

It’s not always easy to spot a scammer and with a high stress event like moving, it can be easy to get pressured into signing a contract, especially if you’re short on time. If you have a bad feeling about the company, trust your gut. With that said, here are some common red flags:

  • Asking for a large deposit up front- Most moving companies might ask for a small deposit to reserve your date, but if they are asking for a large cash deposit, it likely means they are scammers.
  • Avoiding your questions – reputable moving companies will always be happy to answer any questions you have as they want to provide you with the best experience possible. If the person on the phone dodges your questions or simply can’t answer them, it’s not a good sign.
  • Using high pressure tactics – most scammers want to put you into a situation where you feel like you don’t have any choices but to work with them whether that’s because a ‘deal’ is running out or that their slots are booking quickly. If you feel like the person on the phone is really trying to get you to sign paperwork on the initial call, find another company.
  • Significantly cheaper than the competition – everyone wants to save money, but most professional moving companies have relatively similar pricing. If you find a deal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Many scam companies will provide only the flat rate in their initial quote. It isn’t until moving day that they will add on all the extra fees they didn’t mention.

If you do end up being a victim of a moving scam, report it as soon as possible to the Better Business Bureau and FMCSA. You might not be able to get your money back (unless you want to go to small claims court, which can take even more money), but you can at least warn others and inform the proper authorities.

Find the Right Movers for You

Hiring movers might make moving day a breeze, but it comes with its own set of challenges. In order to find the best movers, you should start planning your move at least a month in advance. That way, you will have plenty of time to do your research and find the perfect CT movers.

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General

Everything You Need to Know About Moving Insurance

Everything You Need to Know About Moving Insurance

If you’ve ever hired a moving company, you’ve probably heard about moving insurance, but not too many people look into it beyond what might be listed on the site. While technically moving insurance isn’t actually insurance (it’s a valuation), it offers similar protections. So if something gets lost or damaged during the move, the moving company will provide appropriate compensation. So what options are available and how do you choose the right one for you? The handy guide below can provide you with more information.

Discover the Different Types of Moving Insurance

All registered moving companies must offer two specific kinds of valuations when going over state lines, but most reputable companies will also offer them for local moves. Asking about valuation coverage is a great way to filter out bad or scam companies as they often won’t have any. If you’re looking for movers, NJ or beyond, make sure to ask about their valuation protection!

Released value protection

This is the most basic coverage most NJ movers offer and comes completely free with your professional move, you just have to ask and contractually agree to the coverage. While it might not come at any extra cost to you, it’s also the most limited option. You will only be reimbursed up to 60 cents per pound per item. That might work fine for cheap items, but you’ll lose a lot of money if something expensive gets damaged like your TV, art, or fine china. Plus, there’s no option to replace or repair an item when filing a claim. All you get is the flat rate.

Full value protection

As the name suggests, this option protects your belongings for its full value. While more comprehensive than the released value, you likely will have to pay a premium – around 1-2% of your property’s value –  for this valuation and, in many cases, meet a deductible.

In general, full value protection means the moving company will be liable for the full replacement value of the goods they damaged. It’s up to you to declare what you think they are worth per pound. Many moving companies will have their own policy and most will have a minimum value you have to claim for your belongings.

Some states even have regulations on what the minimum level of coverage is. If you’re not sure, you can always ask the moving or insurance company for information. Typically, the value is anywhere between $4-$6 per pound. So if you are moving 5,000 pounds and you declare the value to be $6 per pound, the maximum amount you can receive is $30,000 if everything is damaged or lost during the move.

When you file a claim, the moving company has three options:

  • Repair the item
  • Replace it with an item of comparable value
  • Make a payout for the cost of repair or current market value of the item

Be forewarned that opting for full value protection also allows moving companies the right to limit their liability for high value items like antiques or expensive shoes. If you happen to have a lot of expensive/priceless items, make sure to bring it up to the movers to see if they will be covered or not. You might be able to purchase additional coverage for these high-value items, but you’ll need to pay a higher premium.

Third-Party Insurance for Hassle-Free Local Moving

Not all NJ movers provide a full value protection option, especially if you’re moving locally. In these cases, you can supplement it with a third-party moving insurance policy. Unlike the value protection you get from movers, the coverage you receive from third-parties is a form of liability insurance. The movers will still reimburse you for the $0.60 per pound per item if anything gets damaged. However, they will work with the insurer to make up the difference up to the limit of the policy.

How much you pay for third-party insurance depends on how much you’re moving and how far. In general, companies will weigh your property and charge a fee of $1.25 multiplied by the weight. With that said, every company will calculate the cost differently so make sure you get that information ahead of time so you’re not surprised by the final cost. Speaking of information, you should also ask what the insurance covers. Some policies might only apply to boxes that you haven’t packed yourself.

One important thing to remember is that your homeowners and renters insurance most likely will not cover your belongings during a move. You’ll have to check your moving insurance to read the caveats. In some cases where you keep the same policy your items might be covered while they’re in transit, but it’s not guaranteed.

Determining the Best and Most Suitable Options

So now that you know your options, how do you choose the best option? The first step is figuring out the value of all your belongings. That means creating a comprehensive list of everything you own before you move. While you’re at it, take a video or pictures of every object and note any existing damage.

As you create your spreadsheet, do a little research on the value of your items. Do you happen to have an expensive shoe collection, rare art, or antiques or is most of your furniture and decor from Target and Ikea? Once you’ve determined the value of your items, estimate the weight.

From there, you just need to do a little math. Say your belongings weigh a total of 5,000 pounds. The basic released value coverage will only provide a max of $3,000. If you’ve estimated that everything you own is worth $3,000 or less then there’s no need to get the full value protection.

When considering the full value protection don’t forget to factor in the cost of the insurance as well as the deductible. If you’ve decided the value of all your belongings is $80,000, then the basic $3,000 coverage won’t cut it. Even with the premium and deductible, it’s still worth it to cover your more expensive items like TVs, furniture, etc.

Protect Your Belongings Easily by Hiring the Best Movers

Having peace of mind during a move is important, especially when you are trusting a moving company with your most precious belongings. That’s why you want to hire NJ movers that provide value protections. That way, if something gets damaged or lost, you’ll receive some compensation.

Categories
Moving Tips

Simple Ways to Save Money During Your Move

Simple Ways to Save Money During Your Move

No matter how you look at it, moving is expensive. Of course, there’s the actual moving aspect, but there’s a lot more to it than just getting your belongings from one place to another. Luckily, that also means there are a lot of ways you can save money during your move. If you’re looking for tips on how to reduce the cost of your move without needing to cut corners, you’ve come to the right place. Below are some simple and effective ways you can save money on your move.

Declutter Your Old Furniture and Belongings to Save Money

The more items you have, the more it will cost you to move. That’s why one of the simplest ways to save money is to declutter your belongings and get rid of items you no longer use. As a rule of thumb, you should follow the six months rule. If you haven’t used or worn an item in six months, you should not bring it with you to your new home.

Decluttering is an important step for any move whether you’re moving locally or cross-country. However, it’s an especially important step for long-distance moves. If you are moving over 400 miles away from your current location, consider getting rid of all your heavy, cheap furniture. You’ll find that it’s probably easier and cheaper to buy new furniture when you arrive at your destination.

While decluttering, you should separate your belongings into four piles: keep, donate, sell, and trash. You should keep your trash pile as small as possible as you can probably donate the majority of your items so long as they are still in good shape. When it comes to selling items, see if you have any high value items that might sell well on eBay such as vintage clothes, cameras, working appliances, etc. It might take you longer, but depending on the condition of the items you could earn a decent amount of money that you can then put towards your moving expenses.

Of course, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling items individually online, you can always have a yard or garage sale to get rid of all your unwanted items. It’s a great way to clear out your house and while you won’t be able to charge quite as much as you would on online sites, you can still make a good chunk of change.

For all your other items, donate as much as you can to goodwill. Don’t forget to ask for an itemized receipt! You’ll be able to claim a tax deduction at the end of the year. For everything else, try to give away as much as possible. Ask your friends and family if they want anything. After they have taken what they want, list whatever items are left for free on craigs list and your local Facebook group. As they say, one man’s trash is another mans’ treasure!

Get Free Boxes and Packing Materials for Your Move

A lot of people forget to include the cost of packing materials such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc. After all, it’s easy to get caught up in figuring out the other moving logistics. However, you can save yourself some hefty moving costs if you can find a way to get free boxes and packing materials. Hopefully, you have at least a month or two before your planned move out date. If you have any boxes leftover from online shopping keep them!

If you don’t have any boxes, reach out to your friends and family to see if they have any they want off their hands. Otherwise, you can visit other places such as the liquor store, around the office, or a local school to see if they might have any. You can also check your local Facebook group. The same can be done for packing supplies such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts! Try to gather as much as you can for free and then purchase whatever you are missing. If you’re lucky, you may not have to spend much if any money at all!

Hire the Best Professional Movers for Your Move

Yes, hiring professional movers can actually cost you less in the long run than trying to do it yourself. For example, if you live in New Jersey, you can find some very affordable NJ movers who will be able to make your experience seamless and stress-free. Professional New Jersey movers have years of experience moving pretty much everything from pianos to delicate china. Therefore, they know exactly how each should be handled so that everything arrives in perfect condition at your new home.

Of course, when you hire professionals, you get much more than people to move your stuff. You also get the peace of mind that if any accidents happen during the move, you won’t be held liable. Did the movers damage the freight elevator? They will cover the repair costs through their insurance. Did the movers get a parking ticket? You don’t have to worry about it! More importantly, you don’t have to run the risk of injuring yourself during the move as you won’t have to carry anything heavy. This way you can relax and just deal with unpacking once you get to your new home.

The best part about hiring professional movers is that there are a lot to choose from. You can shop around to find the best local movers for your budget. Just make sure to ask plenty of questions. If you get a bad feeling from them, move on to another company.

Consider Your Utilities

Some utilities won’t let you prorate your bill, so if your billing cycle doesn’t line up with your moving date, consider cutting off your service early so you don’t have to pay for an extra month. While you don’t want to cut off your electricity too soon, you can definitely live a week or two without cable or the internet. If you only have to deal with a day or two, consider shutting off your gas early as well.

If you’re moving to a new city, do some research on what is available. Some cities offer a free concierge service that will find you the best deals on your utilities. Also, make sure to take advantage of the new customer deals that many cable and internet providers offer.

Ship Your Books Safely

If you have a veritable library and can’t part with any of your books, consider shipping them instead of moving them. While it might take a bit longer to arrive, you’ll be saving on time and backbreaking work for the movers. USPS offers a Medial Mail service that allows for shipments of up to 20 pounds. That price is hard to beat!

Get Moving Insurance to Save Money

Most professional movers offer basic moving insurance that covers $0.60 per pound if an item is damaged or lost. While this might be fine for items that aren’t expensive, it won’t get close to covering the cost of more expensive items such as TVs, cameras, laptops, fine china, etc. While most trustworthy NJ movers will do their best to make sure nothing gets damaged, accidents can happen.

While it might cost a bit extra, getting full moving insurance can give you the peace of mind you need, especially if you own a lot of electronics or expensive items. As the name suggests, full moving insurance means that you will be covered for the full amount in case something gets damaged or lost. That means you don’t have to worry about buying a replacement should anything happen, saving you money in the long run.

Conclusion

While you won’t be able to bring your moving costs down to zero, you can greatly reduce the amount you spend by following these simple tips. Speaking of tips, here’s one you often hear: wrap your fragile items in bedsheets, towels, clothes, etc. While it can work, remember that you will need to wash all of these items once you unpack! Plus, if anything breaks you’ll need to worry about glass shards in your sheets or towels!

Moving will never be easy, but hopefully these tips can at least make it less costly. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable mover in New Jersey, make sure to contact us! We service the Tri-State area and can provide you with a quote within a few days of your request!