Is the Moving Company You Are Considering Legit?
Unfortunately, there are far too many moving companies out there that are far from professional and legitimate, leaving many consumers victim of fraud. According to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – the federal agency that oversees moving companies – there are more than 3,500 fraud complaints filed with their agency each year. The breakdown of those complaints includes:
40 percent of complaints are for damage or loss of property
40 percent of complaints are for overcharges
15 percent of complaints are for “hostage” issues, where a moving company refuse to give the customer their property
So how do consumers avoid being a victim of moving company fraud? The following tips can help:
The company will not do an onsite inspection to determine what needs to be moved and prepare their estimate
The company tells you they will determine what the cost of the move will be once all of your property is in their truck
The company will not give you an estimate in writing
The company requires a large deposit or being paid in cash before the move
The company requires your signature on documents that are either incomplete or blank
The company claims all of your property will be covered by their insurance
The company does not have a company-owned moving truck, but instead show up with a rental truck or they do not have a local address in any of their advertising or business documents.
Shop Around for a Moving Company: It might be tempting to hire the company that offers the cheapest price, but that is usually the first indicator that your move can turn into a nightmare. Obtain estimates from at least three different companies. And make sure those estimates are done after an actual in-person tour of your home, not just over the phone or via email. Check that the companies you are considering have all the appropriate professional licenses required. An apartment moving company Warminster, PA trusts should be licensed by the state and moving companies that offer interstate services must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The FMCSA warns consumers that if the moving company they are considering engage in any of the following, there is a high risk of fraud and you should not hire them:
Confirm What Insurance Does and Does Not Cover: Moving insurance and valuation coverage that most moving companies offer are not the same thing. Valuation coverage may not cover all of the items you are moving. For example, your items may not cover damage due to acts of nature, such as weather issues. The valuation coverage your moving company provides may not cover damage done that were contained in boxes that the customer themselves packed. Although you may consider purchasing moving insurance, your current house insurance policy may cover this type of damage, so check with your company before purchasing additional coverage. If you find that your insurance will not cover property in transit from one residence to another, then you may want to consider purchasing separate moving insurance.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Suburban Solutions for their insight into moving and how to make sure moving companies are legit.














