When you’re moving to an apartment, especially when you’re moving from a standalone home, there are going to be certain differences to consider and certain steps that need to be taken to ensure a smooth transition. No matter why you are making the move, it is important to get ahead of the process so that you can accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished with a cool and level head. For this reason, the professional moving consultants and experts here at MovingQuotes.net have compiled the following information so that you can approach your apartment move in a manner that will remove the stress from the situation while making things easy to handle for everyone involved.

Planning and Preparations
As with anything, planning ahead and preparing for the events involved in a move to a new apartment can ensure that you get everything taken care of and that nothing is missed. There are a lot of different aspects of moving to an apartment, so consider the following and get everything in order before the moving process begins.

• Choose When to Move: Finding the right time of the year to relocate can make things infinitely easier for you and your family. Consider the location you are moving to and think about when it would be the easiest to find a great apartment. For example, if you are moving to a college town, think about moving later in the summer after the early season rush to move out, but before the late, pre-semester rush to move in before school starts. Likewise, consider the late spring for urban areas so that you can beat the rush to move in and out, which generally occurs during the summertime.
• Find a Great Apartment Mover: Not all moving companies are created equally, and some simply don’t have the experience or the knowledge – or the tools – to ensure a successful move to your new apartment. For this reason, contact various companies and ask questions about apartment moving needs like, is the company insured in case they damage the apartment when they are moving things in and out, do they have the tools to handle moving your goods up and down stairs, and are they able to traverse the distances from where they have to park the large moving truck to the building with ease.
• Find a Great Apartment: Locating the right apartment for you and your family is probably one of the most important preparations that you need to take care of. Remember, this is where you will be living in the months and, perhaps, years to come, so you want to make sure you choose a safe location that appeals to what you’re looking for in a neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to talk to the neighbors and ask about the management, then go online and get more information from people who have written reviews or left comments on the apartment complexes you are considering. Finally, check crime rates and see if there are other aspects you should be concerned about before you pay a deposit and reserve your place.

Onwards to Moving Day!
Now that the preparations are in place, it’s time to start the actual moving process. What many people don’t realize is that the moving process actually starts long before moving day actually arrives. For some, especially those who are moving to an apartment, the process can actually begin even before you start packing. Remember, apartment moving is a bit different than moving into a bigger, standalone home, so keep the following things in mind as the big day approaches.

• Weed Out Things You Don’t Need: The thing about an apartment is that there is not much room in that living space, especially if you are used to living in a full sized house. As such, you should always take some time to weed out things you don’t need so that you don’t have to face a cluttered home when you are trying to settle into your new apartment. Likewise, measure your furniture and map out the rooms of your new apartment so that you can be sure that everything is going to fit where you need it to be.
• Give Notice: It’s never a good idea to move out without giving your current landlord notice. Most leases actually require you to give thirty day notice, in writing, if you want to get your deposit back. But there are other reasons to maintain a good parting relationship with your current landlord; they can help as a reference later down the road if you find yourself in need of one.
• Preventing Damage: Because you do want your deposit back, it’s important to consider what you can do to prevent damage to the place where you are living now, as well as the apartment where you are moving to. You need to protect your current home, and your future home, before the movers are transporting your furniture through the doorways and across the light colored carpets, so consider methods of doing so a week before moving day at least. Some good methods of protection can include special door frame pads that you can get from your local moving store, carpet film that can protect the carpet from stains and rips or tears, or using extra moving boxes as a path that the movers can take from one room to another.
• Cleaning Up: Finally, don’t forget to make plans on how to clean up the place where you live before you vacate it completely. Most of the time, cleaning costs are something that apartment management will take out of your deposit if you leave the place a mess, so if you want to ensure that you get your entire deposit back, you need to plan to clean up after yourself. The best time to clean is after the movers have taken everything out of your home, so consider allowing your utilities to overlap and be on in both your old home and your new apartment at the same time so that this stage of the process is easy for you and anyone helping you.

There are specific steps involved in a move to an apartment, but the process doesn’t have to be any more complex or difficult than it would have if you were moving into a home. Simply keep in mind that you need to plan and prepare by finding a good time of year to move, locating a great apartment moving company, and securing a great apartment, and then get ready for moving day by weeding out things you don’t need, giving notice to your current landlord, taking steps to prevent damage to your current residence, and making plans to clean the place after your things are on their way to your new home. If you are sure to address these simple points along the way and throughout the moving process, you’ll discover that moving to an apartment isn’t as difficult as it might seem.

Moving to a new place is a huge undertaking no matter where you are moving to or how much you are moving to that new place. Because of that, many moving companies have filled the needs of consumers across the country who are looking to relocate in the easiest possible manner. With so many choices when it comes to moving companies, it can be difficult to choose the one that will fit your needs the best, so you will ultimately have to do some research to discover the one that will both fill your need and offer the best service for the money that you will have to pay for the service.

But how do you find the one that is best for you? And how do you know that the company you choose will protect the goods that you are entrusting them with? One of the best methods of ensuring that you have chosen a great mover involves the licenses that the Federal Government and the state government requires movers to have. While these requirements exist, consumers often find themselves victims of moving scams because the industry is not well regulated. Thus, the responsibility for verifying licenses and ensuring that the company you hire is both legally allowed to operate, as well as legit, falls to the consumers. For this reason, the experts here at MovingQuotes.net have come up with the following systematic approach to knowing what licenses are required, and ensuring that the company you choose abides by the laws that are in place.

Getting License Numbers and Narrowing the List
Obviously, the first step involved in finding a mover who has the right licenses requires you to gather the license numbers that a mover might have. Each state is different in what they require, so you need to keep that in mind as you gather these numbers. Some companies may have multiple licenses, while some may only have one or two. Whatever they offer, take note of these numbers when you contact potential movers for estimates on how much the task of relocating your goods will cost. Here are some other ways to ensure the company you are thinking of hiring is legit and upstanding in the realm of moving.

• Look into Reviews – There are a number of good carrier review websites online that list moving companies along with their last known licensure information. Instead of using the phone book or a simple online listing, think about using a review site where you can not only find license information, but information on how the company has treated consumers in the past. What other people have to say about a given company is just as important as that company having up to date licenses.
• Check the Better Business Bureau – Reputable carriers will reflect their reputation on the Better Business Bureau website, where you will be able to see if a company has had any trouble in their past. Conflicts and problems will often be listed and the company will be given a grade based on the input from consumers who have hired them in the past. It’s best to stay away from companies with lower grades, but don’t discount them if they’ve only had one or two problems. There are always people who just can’t be satisfied no matter what.
• Ask for a Binding Quote – Moving companies who don’t offer a free binding moving quote are not companies that you want to deal with. Professional movers are not hesitant to come out to your home to review what you are moving so that they can give you an estimate that is binding for your move. This is also a great way to avoid a moving scam and get a good impression of the company you will be trusting your goods to, so take some time to schedule home visits from any companies you are really interested in.
• Don’t Pay Deposits – A good mover won’t require that you pay a deposit, so if you come across a moving company who is asking you to pay hundreds of dollars in advance, be wary. Most movers will make you sign paperwork, but if they are legit and honest, you won’t have to pay a dollar for their services until your goods are delivered to your new home.

Verification and Hiring
Once you’ve gone through the process of finding some great movers, you’ll probably have a short list of companies that you are considering hiring. This is when things start to get real and you’ll need to take some time to actually verify the information that you’ve been given. While binding quotes are good, you need to go through the process of verifying the license numbers that you gathered as well. Thankfully, this process isn’t that difficult because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set up a special database where consumers are able to plug in license numbers in return for specific information about a given company.

In order to take advantage of the system that the FMCSA has set up, simply visit the SAFER System website and put the Department of Transportation license number that all carriers are required to have by Federal law into the search box. Once there, click the search button and wait for the information to populate. Once it does, you’ll be able to review the company statistics, as well as the safety records of the company, the types of things that they are known to ship, and a file of accidents that they have been involved with. Because this site is run by the Federal government, you will be able to check license numbers and see helpful information about any company without having to worry about false information and advertising.

Protecting Yourself
There are a lot of different moving companies out there that you can hire to transport your things from your old home to your new one, but finding one that is both honest and has the proper licenses can be difficult in a world where so many scams exist. For this reason, you need to make sure that you not only gather license numbers and binding moving quotes from companies you are considering hiring, but use the FMCSA SAFER system to dig deeper into these companies so that you know you are hiring a good one. Moving is a complex task in and of itself; make sure that you heed this advice and check into both reviews, as well as license information, to ensure that you get the most from your mover.

Moving over long distances can be a huge task to complete, and there are many aspects that you need to take care of before you can consider the process a success. From choosing a long distance moving company, to unpacking at your new home, this can be a very overwhelming event in your life, which is why you need to know certain things before you begin. Knowledge is power, and in the end, the more you know, the better off you will be. For that reason, and many others, the experts at Moving Quotes have come up with the following advice, which will help you get an idea of the many aspects of long distance national moving so that you can rest easier knowing that you can overcome any obstacles that happen to come up along the way.

First Things First: What is National Moving

The first thing you should know when you are relocating is what kind of move you need to complete. Some people think that all moves are the same, but there are some pretty stark differences between local and national moving. Local moves are generally much smaller in scope and the movers you use do things much differently than national movers. When you are moving nationally, which means across state lines or across the country, you can expect to have to pack everything, do more paperwork, schedule much further in advance, and pay based on weight rather than the time it takes to complete the task. National movers will also use different equipment, including much larger trucks and more employees.

The Costs of Moving

When you are relocating over long distances, or across the nation, you can expect to pay quite a bit more than if you were moving within your local area. National movers charge based on the weight of your goods, rather than a flat, hourly rate. This means that you will pay more if you have more, but if you only have a little, you will pay less. You should also take into account the possibility of fuel surcharges that may be charged, and extra fees for stairs, other obstacles, or the need to park the truck in a specific place if you are moving to a bigger city. Plan on paying at least a couple thousand dollars for a complete full service move, which would include packing, loading, transport, and unloading. But don’t rely on rough estimates; always get moving quotes first before you assume you know how much your move will cost.

Getting Estimates on Moving

It is vital that you get quotes for your move before you hire a cheap moving company. Every moving company out there offers free quotes that you can get just by calling the company or by visiting their website. Inversely, you can fill in the form at the top of this page to get multiple quotes at one time, which can save you time and money since the companies we work with know they are competing for your business. Regardless which route you choose, be sure that you compare the estimates and choose a few of the most promising companies to contact for further information.

When you do contact that short list of companies, always request a binding estimate. A binding quote is a legally binding document that prevents movers from charging more than they state in the quote and will save you from becoming a victim of one of the many moving scams that are out there. When you request a binding quote, a representative from the moving company will come to your home to see just what you are moving, offering you the best and most accurate estimate of what your move will cost.

Preparing for Moving

Once you have a binding moving estimate, your move will be well on its way towards success. That means it is time for you to get prepared for moving day. You will have scheduled the movers by now, so you can build a moving schedule that encompasses all of the other tasks that need to be completed before the truck arrives at your home to move your things. Here are just some of the things that you’ll need to include on this moving schedule.

• Pack Up – It’s time to start packing the stuff that you own. Start with things that you don’t use often and weed things out as you go. Consider having a garage sale or simply donating this stuff, since you don’t want to pay to have it moved. Get used boxes to further save money on the end cost of the move as well.
• Utilities – Be sure to schedule a shut off date, and a turn on date, for your utilities. Sometimes it is a good idea to have these dates overlap so that you have power and water in your old home and your new home, especially if anyone is going ahead of the family to get things ready.
• Notifications – Let your friends, family, and creditors know that you are moving. Give them your new address so that they are able to contact you after you’ve moved.
• Pets and Kids – Prepare your kids for the move by sharing as much information with them as possible. Schedule a special pet mover if you aren’t going to take your pets on your own, or prepare a room for them to stay in on moving day.
• Cleaning – Be sure that you remember your old home needs to be cleaned before you can finally leave. You can start this process as you are packing up each room and complete it as you go.

Certainly, moving to a new home over long distances can be complex and difficult to complete, but there are a lot of things that you can do to help you get over the initial shock and plan for the many aspects you’ll have to cover over the course of the event. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll soon see that relocation isn’t as difficult as you originally thought, especially when you have a good national moving company on your side to help.

While there are many reasons by people are moving by the thousands to places like California, Florida, and Hawaii, one of the lesser known things that these people look forward to as they plan for moving day, and the time their moving companies will show up to move their things, is how life will look with palm trees involved. Not every state in the country can boast the existence of palm trees, nor can all palm tree containing states actually say they have all the different kinds of palms, but seeing as how many people see these trees as indicative of paradise, it’s no wonder why so many people are seeking out the most beautiful types when they choose their new residence. Whether you are moving to one of these places because of a job, or simply for a change of scenery, having the nearby palms can actually help reduce stress and make you feel as if you went on vacation.

But with so many different kinds of palm trees out there, is there one that is more beautiful than the rest of them? Is there a state which houses the best palm trees in the country? Like many other aspects of moving to another state, finding the ‘best’ can be relative. That’s why knowing the different kinds of palms that are out there can help you discover which ones appeal to your eye the best. And even if you end up moving to a place where there are no palm trees in your yard, choosing the state where your favorite variety thrives can have a profound effect on your overall outlook.

Types of Palm Trees

Many people simply don’t realize that there really are a few different kinds of palm trees out there, each with their own unique image. Here are a few of the most common, along with some of their traits, which allows you to get an idea of the tree so that you can form your own opinion on which is most beautiful.

The Florida Royal Palm

In Florida, the royal palm tree thrives on the humidity and sunlight offered by the equatorial zones in both this state as well as the nearby island of Cuba, some areas of Central America, and the northern part of the Caribbean islands. You can often find this tree in the southern parts of Florida lining streets or used for other decorative purposes. Though considered, at one time, a separate species from its cousins in Cuba, scientists have now discovered that they are, indeed, one and the same.

There are a few different uses for the tall palm tree, which is straight and free of branches except for at the very top. The tree’s outer husk is used as a source of thatch, while the wood itself can be used as construction timber. It’s also known as a medicinal plant whose fruit is eaten by birds and bats and spread across the landscape where seeds germinate and new trees are grown. The palms of this tree have also held significance in the Roman Catholic holiday Palm Sunday.

The California Fan Palm

Known as the largest palm tree native to the continental United States, the fan palm that you’ll find in California is unlike any you’ll see in the tropical south. Acclimated to living in the desert regions of the country, this palm tree can survive in some rough conditions and grow in some interesting locations such as desert seeps and bajadas, as well as near places where underground springs make water available for its consumption. This tree can grow to be fifty-nine feet tall with six foot fronds that have thin thread fibers between each of the segments.

Most of the uses of these palms have been traced back to the Native American populations that lived in the western part of the country long ago. The fruit was a versatile commodity, which could be eaten as is, cooked, or ground up into a flour. The fronds of the tree could be used in a variety of different ways as well, for making homes or baskets to carry things. Today, however, this tree is mainly an ornament used to make areas look beautiful.

Native Hawaiian Palm Trees

Unlike the palm trees located in Florida and California, the one species of palm that is native to Hawaii is actually not nearly as widespread as conservationists would prefer. Listed on the Federal endangered species list, the Pritchardia Affinis is a small, bush-like palm tree whose original cultivation has been traced back to native Hawaiian people. It’s declining numbers have been linked to the known extinction of the Ula-ai-hawane bird that used to grace very specific locations only within the Hawaiian islands. With the tree only existing on the leeward side of only the island of Hawai’i, conservationists are trying to breed more of these palms to make up for their severely lacking numbers.

So, the Most Beautiful?

As you can see, there are numerous choices when it comes to choosing the palm trees that you like the best. Each region of the country is known for their own versions, and each species thrives in differing conditions. Regardless of which area you might be moving to, having a palm in your yard, or close by, can make you really feel like you’re perpetually on vacation, even if the move is due to work. But remember, beauty, as far as palm trees go, is in the eye of the beholder, so take a look around your new home and discover the paradise that awaits you.

In the end, moving for palm trees might not be something anyone actually does, but it makes sense to check out what the scenery in your new location will be. You can’t find palm trees just anywhere though, and relocating to a place where you can take a picture in front of one will serve as a great way to brag about your new home and show the world that you’ve really made it.

With all of the moving companies on the market these days, along with the many promises and pricing structures that those companies offer, it can be difficult to see just which one of them would be the best for you and your family when faced with the need to move. At the same time, from the moment you find out that you need to relocate to a new home, you will be tasked with finding the best mover of all of them to transport your things to your destination.

This is, perhaps, the most difficult aspect of the entire moving process, simply because there are so many moving scams throughout the industry these days. However, there are some tried and true methods of avoiding such problems, with one of the best being simply to hire flat rate movers rather than opting for the traditional quote and run method. To learn more about flat rate movers, read on, and see if these companies are the best solution to your relocation problems.

Pricing Problems Today

One of the biggest issues with moving companies and relocation in general these days falls within the realm of pricing, charges, and quotes for moving companies who work in your area and who offer the services that you are looking for. Sure, there are plenty of choices out there when it comes to hiring a mover, but at the same time, there are just as many moving scams. How do you know if you are hiring a company that will swindle you out of more money than you could possibly imagine? More importantly, how do you avoid falling into that trap?

How Movers Charge

Some movers today charge hourly fees. Generally, these movers only operate in the local area and will not move items to locations outside of a very small area of operations. Local moving companies are great if you are moving your things within the local area, but they generally won’t offer flat rate moving or binding moving estimates because of the nature of their work. They will, however, offer you a time estimation on how long the job should take, and if you’ve hired one with a good reputation, this is usually fairly dead on.

When you are speaking of long distance moving companies, who charge based on the weight of your goods, however, you are entering an entirely different arena. Because these long distance companies are less worried about their local reputation, these types of movers are involved in more scams than their local counterparts. For that reason, if for no other, getting a flat rate moving quote or hiring specifically flat rate movers will save you money and heartache in the long run.

What is a Flat Rate Move?

It can be confusing to look at a bunch of long distance moving companies and try to pick out those who offer flat rate moving. That’s because it’s quite possible that all of the movers on your list offer this as an option, you simply have to ask for it. Some moving companies call this service flat rate moving, but others simply refer to it as getting a written binding moving quote. So what is a binding moving quote? This is a legally binding quote for your move that takes all eventualities into account before stating a price that you will have to pay in order to hire their services. Such binding quotes include things like:

• Insurance – A good binding estimate will already include a certain level of moving insurance coverage. If you want to purchase more, be sure to let the representative of the company know so that it can be included in a new draft of the binding contract.
• Transportation – Regardless of the cost of fuel, your binding quote will account for the cost of driving the moving truck, full of your things, to your new home. This is the main reason behind quotes being good only for limited amounts of time.
• Workers – The quote will always account for the workers who will be loading your things into the moving truck and then unloading them at the other end of the move.
• Service Fees – Any additional fees that you will be responsible for will be included in the binding estimate so that there are no surprises at the other end of the move.

As you can see, a flat rate mover will make sure that all things are included in the contract that they give you. The reason behind this is quite simple; they are not allowed to exceed this price, so they want to make sure that they include everything and are not working at a loss when it comes time to actually move your things.

Inconsistencies

Just like with all things, there are legal disclaimers at the bottom of these binding, flat rate contracts. It is important, as a consumer, that you know what these disclaimers are and what kind of an effect they can have on you and your move.

• 110% Rule: The 110% rule states that the movers can actually charge you ten percent over the moving estimate, even if it is in writing, to account for extras that weren’t present during the quoting process. Perhaps the most common of such charges includes stairs at the new home that weren’t made known, or other obstacles that movers may encounter. This 10% may also include fuel surcharges for spikes in the cost of fuel or any other fees not taken into account when the estimate was given.
• Payment of the 10%: While most movers would have you believe that the money is completely due when your goods arrive, legally all you have to pay at that moment is the amount written on the moving contract. The other ten percent is due within the first 90 days following your move in day or delivery.
• Unknown Costs: If you failed to tell your movers about the piano you were also moving, or some other costly venture, you won’t get out of paying for it just because it wasn’t included in the moving contract. On the contrary, if you present such issues on moving day, you can expect to pay an extra fee. It’s never good to hide things from the company representative when they arrive at your home to offer you a quote; the only way to ensure that it is valid is to be honest and up front.

Moving company representatives know what you ask when they arrive at your home to give you a flat rate moving quote, but some things do get missed. For their protection, they’ve included fine print on the contract. For your protection, make sure that you read the fine print and ask questions if you have them. It is in asking those questions that you will save yourself tons of headache and trouble.

The first thing that goes through a person’s mind when they find out that they need to move is the need to locate cheap moving companies to handle the logistics of the move. Often, people go looking online and they fall into the trap of a less-than-desirable moving company who is only out to scam people. Because they did not take the time to research different movers, especially the long distance kind, these consumers get caught in a nasty game of cat and mouse with a company that will almost always win simply due to the fact that consumers are at the mercy of those who hold all of their belongings. Thankfully, the experts here have compiled helpful information that can point you in the right direction when you are moving. There is a way to find cheap moving companies without falling into the traps that bad movers have set. If you are facing a move, then heed the following advice.

Defining Cheap

There are many different definitions of cheap or budget moving companies in the relocation industry. While some people consider those who charge the least to be the cheap movers they are looking for, other people take the time to compare and contrast not only the companies, but the services they offer as well. The end result is a much happier customer and a better rating for the company who served them. Still, there are thousands of people victimized by moving scams each year, which can make that seemingly cheap company quite a bit more expensive than the others.

Common Scams and Red Flags

Of course, from your point of view as a consumer just learning about your need to move, picking the scam out of the many movers listed in your area can be difficult. This is why you should first understand the different moving scams that are out there. Here are a few of the most common, and what you should look for as red flags when seeking a great budget moving company.

• The Hostage Scam – Some moving companies will tell you their service costs one thing, which is generally way lower than what you imagined. Jumping on the deal you’ve found, you allow the movers to show up and load your things onto their truck. You meet them at your new home only to see them mulling around the truck instead of unloading your things. When you ask them what’s going on, they tell you that you have to pay them extra money or they will take your things and keep them until you pay up. Comparing multiple moving quotes will help you pick these companies out, as their quotes will be quite a bit lower than those offering comparable services.
• The Disappearing Trick Scam – There are, sadly, some moving companies out there who are considered fly by night companies. They operate under one name for a while, and then they seem to disappear. But, they don’t really disappear; instead, they simply assume a new name, get a new fake address, and resume operations until they can take someone else for a ride by taking a moving job and then simply never showing up to the destination they’re asked to deliver things to. Often, your things are sold before you even know they are missing. If you can’t find history for a company, or they refuse to give you references or license numbers, beware.
• The Demand Scam – Movers, or the workers who work for the moving company that you hire, may not always be happy with the money that they make. Because of this, they often will bully the people they are moving for larger tips in return for the services they are already supposed to provide. While giving a moving tip is often considered the right thing to do, don’t let the movers claim that they won’t unload the truck, or carry things to the rooms where they belong, unless you pay them. The best way to avoid this is to check a mover’s reputation online, get references of prior customers, and actually contact them.

Genuinely Cheap

You might be thinking now that there is no such thing as cheap moving companies, but you would be wrong. There are some budget moving companies out there, but they will take some looking for. Often, the cheapest movers are not the ones that come to you with the lowest moving quotes, but they are the ones who will stick to the estimate that they give you. Finding a genuinely cheap moving company isn’t as difficult as you might think, but you should consider the following steps if you want to ensure the movers you hire are the best and the most affordable.

• Compare costs – Never settle for the first moving quote that you’re given. Always collect multiple quotes and compare them with each other.
• Look at reputation – People love to share things online these days, so take to the internet to learn more about the company you are thinking of hiring.
• Call references – Any good mover will give you some references. Give those references a call and see what they have to say.
• Contact the BBB – The Better Business Bureau will have a record of any mover who has been in business for a while. If the company doesn’t have any record at all, it is best to stay away from them.
• Be aware of your rights – Anyone who is moving has a list of rights and responsibilities that they should follow. Be sure that you know what yours are so that you can stand up for your rights.
• Check license numbers – When you contact the mover, be sure to ask for license numbers so that you can check them with the appropriate authorities.
• Get a binding, flat rate quote – Flat rate movers offer moving services to a rate that is set forth in a moving estimate contract that cannot be exceeded. If you are worried about a scam, be sure to get this kind of quote.

As you can see, there are lots of things to worry about when you are moving to a new home. In order to avoid being caught in the middle of a moving scam, you will have to take certain steps and locate what might not seem like a cheap moving company, but one who will end up costing you far less money, time, heartache, and stress. Sure, this process takes time and effort, but will be well worth it in the end.

One of the more important aspects of moving and using a professional moving company is getting moving insurance to cover the loss or damage of your things. Insurance will ensure that you have financial recourse should something get lost or damaged and need repair as a result of handling by the movers. While the reasoning behind it may seem straightforward though, choosing the right moving insurance for your needs might be more complex than you imagined in the beginning. That’s why you should be aware of the types of moving insurance before you finalize on one type over another. Remember, you can never be sure of when your goods might be dropped or if the movers might accidentally bump into a wall or cause other damage. Having some form of insurance, preferably the type that fits your needs the best, will help you weather the storm and reduce the overall stress associated with relocating to your new home.

Full Value Insurance

The most expensive insurance option, especially when you’re first looking at your moving quotes, is full value insurance. This type of insurance covers just what it says it covers, the full value of your goods that are being shipped. Because the full value of your goods are insured, the movers will often take the best care of things when they know you have taken out a full value insurance policy with their company. Since they will ultimately be liable for any damages or breakages, which they must offer to repair or replace, they will do what they can to avoid finding themselves in that situation. Be sure to ask about the limitations of this policy though. Some companies will only pay for items that are worth less than a hundred dollars without having a special rider or addition to the policy. If you have certain expensive items, be sure to pay extra to make sure they arrive at your new home in one piece.

Released Value Insurance

On the other end of the spectrum, as the most affordable option, is a type of insurance known as released value insurance. Movers who are bound by this insurance policy are only liable for a set amount of money per pound of your things. This can often work against you, especially in this day in age where expensive things are getting lighter and lighter. No matter what breaks, when you have released value insurance coverage, you will only get paid for the weight of the goods rather than their replacement costs. While many movers include this free with their services, be careful. Generally you will have to specify this type of coverage to avoid automatically being assigned full value.

Third-Party Insurance

Third party insurance coverage is an insurance policy that is obtained from a company that is not the movers who are working with your goods. Generally you can purchase an additional policy if you are moving and you have chosen to go with the released value insurance through your movers. Some homeowner’s policies already contain coverage for people who are moving, so if you are considering opting for third party insurance, be sure that you check the policy you already have to see if something similar is included. If it isn’t, compare coverage and costs with various different companies before you settle on one policy and make the purchase. Always get proof as well.

Insurance Policy Limitations

Regardless of which type of insurance you choose to purchase for your upcoming move, make sure that you are aware of any circumstances that may render your policy ineffective. There are some situations where the mover’s liability is limited, so keep these things in mind and take precautions necessary to avoid them.

• Packing illegal or hazardous items – There are laws governing what can be moved and what cannot. Make sure that you follow these rules. If it is found later that you packed a chemical, and then your goods get damaged, the mover or insurance policy may not have to pay the claim.

• Packing your own boxes – Some moving companies will not insure anything they did not pack themselves. This is one way they protect themselves from financial loss as they can be sure things are well protected rather than going on the word of a potentially inexperienced person who is moving.

• Contract language and stipulations – Reading the contract is vital no matter what kind of insurance you choose. Make sure that you don’t sign something that will later render your insurance policy useless.

• Filing claims after the deadline – Make sure to file any claims that you might have as soon as you can following your move. This will prevent the movers from saying you waited beyond the statute of limitations for filing claims against damage they caused.

• Released value coverage – Remember that released value insurance coverage will only pay for a set amount of money per pound of damaged goods. This can severely limit how much you are paid when you file a claim if you don’t have a third party policy as well.

Moving across the country is one of the most difficult prospects that you might face this year, but it doesn’t have to be an impossible task. On the contrary, moving to a new home in another state can be simple and fun, if you have the right tools at your disposal. Perhaps the most important tool to acquire is help actually moving your things from one home to another. You could opt to handle this yourself, but when you are talking about cross country moving, it is often better to hire a professional moving company to do it for you. However, hiring such cross country moving companies might not be quite as simple as it sounds because of the huge prevalence of moving scams out there these days. That’s why the experts here at Moving Quotes have compiled this list of ten things you need to remember when hiring such movers. Keep these things in mind and you’ll find that moving across state lines can be easy and stress free, with the right approach.

1. Brokers are not moving company representatives.
When you call for moving quotes from cross country movers, you often will be speaking with a broker who then assigns a moving job to a specific company. These brokers do not represent a mover and movers do not have to honor the prices that they quote.

2. Binding moving quotes are the safest type of estimate you can get.
The only way to get an accurate cross country moving quote on how much your move is going to cost is to get a binding moving quote. A binding quote is a legally binding contract that states an upper limit of how much a mover can charge and is provided by the moving company itself and not a broker.

3. Insurance isn’t something to skip or skimp on.
Remember, you are trusting everything that you own to cross country movers that you found online or in the phone book. While they may really be a wonderful company, accidents do happen. Make sure you have enough moving insurance to cover the total loss of your things just in case. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

4. Pets need their own plan.
If you have pets, then you need to make a separate plan to move them to your new home. Cross country movers will not move your pets for you with the rest of your stuff, so you will have to take them with you or hire a special pet mover to handle this need. Either way, plan ahead for a smooth relocation.

5. A moving schedule helps you avoid forgetting anything.
Don’t forget anything when you are moving by building a written moving schedule that includes all of the different things that you will have to take care of before your move can be considered complete. This also helps to reduce stress associated with the move.

6. Avoiding stressful situations with the kids requires forethought.
No one wants to stress out the kids when a move is imminent, but avoiding such stress really requires you to be on top of things from the very beginning. Introduce the idea of a move early on to your kids so they can get used to it, and then plan ahead to make the change even smoother.

7. Checking the Better Business Bureau and Online for reviews can save heartache.
Never hire cross country moving companies without first checking online to see what kind of a reputation the company has. There are plenty of scams out there; avoid them by gathering information from the BBB or from other consumers who have posted reviews and such online.

8. Keep paperwork close by in case you run into trouble.
No matter where you are moving or what cross country moving companies you are planning to use, be sure to keep any and all paperwork nearby just in case you need it. This should include household, identification, and pet paperwork.

9. For a great move, treat your cross country movers right.
Want to make your move better? Go the extra mile for the cross country movers and they will return the favor. Consider offering drinks and snacks throughout the day on moving day and don’t forget a tip.

10. Know your rights and responsibilities before you move.
The biggest mistake that consumers make these days when hiring cross country moving companies is that they don’t know what their rights are when moving. Make sure you are familiar with yours so that you aren’t caught in the middle of any kind of moving scam.

In the end, it won’t matter where you plan on moving to or how far you have to move to make that happen, having professional cross country moving companies on your side can be the single most helpful tool that you have throughout the entire process. Why stress yourself and your family out over having to relocate? Save yourself the trouble and the anxiety by choosing movers that are honest and true to their word. While there are plenty of moving scams out there today, you don’t have to worry about becoming another victim if you keep these simple things in mind.

Recent census reports are showing that the recession is not only hurting retail businesses and luxury consumer goods and services; the lack of money is also preventing people from moving to a new home. While some people are still moving, generally away from expensive homes that they can no longer afford, others who would have moved under other circumstances are staying put longer and putting off the need to relocate. Furthermore, those who are relocating are finding out that moving things on their own is cheaper than trying to get moving quotes that fall into their very limited budget. Combined, all of this has created a distinct pattern that shows how many people simply are choosing to remain where they are instead of finding a new home throughout this time of economic downturn.

So Much Uncertainty

At a time when there is so much uncertainty plaguing us, it is impossible to get people to look only at the bright side of things. Instead of thinking about the future money that could be saved by moving closer to the city, people are choosing to remain where they are in order to save that cash right now. The global mindset is shifting from one where people were willing to set aside things now for things in the future, but because there is no telling when the economy might pick back up, people are viewing it as better and safer to keep things in their pocket where they are readily accessible rather than investing things. While this might seem like a logical mindset, the result is an even deeper slide of the overall economy.

Census Bureau Data

The United State Census Bureau began collecting information about the movement of people around the United States back in 1948. Last year, from 2010 to 2011, was a record year in that only eleven percent of people moved from one place to another throughout the year. That makes this year the year when the fewest people moved from one home to another. And while some states didn’t see any movement overall, even the larger states suffered. Still, some of the more popular routes continued to be popular, with almost seventy thousand people moving from California to Texas and fifty-five thousand moving from Florida to Georgia.

To Move or Not to Move?

Perhaps the biggest question plaguing consumers these days is the simple ‘to move or not’? While this might seem like an easy to answer question based on the things that are going on around you, there is no telling what other factors an individual might be considering in their coming to an answer. Thankfully, it looks as if the economy is slowly coming around, but we won’t know much more until 2012 has more time to take hold. In the end, choosing to make the move can often pay off in the long run, so be careful before you write off the option as being too expensive for the time being. You might be thankful that you took the plunge rather than waiting around for a better time in which to do so.

It’s that time of year again; the time of year when you begin to gather all of your information related to filing your yearly tax return. And while some people dread this time of year almost as much as they did when they moved, it can also be a time when you gain a bit more money in the form of a tax return check from the federal government that you can use for anything you want. One of the things that many people look at when they are preparing to file their taxes for the previous year is any moving expenses that were incurred the year prior. While not all moving expenses are eligible to be claimed, there are some situations where you can deduct your moving expenses so that you pay less in taxes overall. While the process to discovering your eligibility might be long and arduous, it is still worth it to look into the possibility. To that end, here is a simple guide that will walk you through the process.

Are You Eligible?

The first thing that you need to do when you are trying to find out if you are eligible to claim your moving expenses from your taxes this year, while saving money on your move at the same time, is to answer the two main questions that the IRS asks of people looking to claim moving expenses. These questions are simple; did you move more than fifty miles from your old home due to a job that was located that far away from the old house, and did you work at least 39 weeks out of the first twelve months following your move. Furthermore, if you are self employed, did you work at least 78 weeks out of the first two years following the move. If you meet these requirements, then it is likely that you can claim your moving expenses in relation to your move on this year’s tax return.

What Can You Deduct?

It can be confusing to decide what expenses you can deduct if you meet the requirements and are eligible for the moving expenses deduction. The IRS is pretty generous, however, and you can claim a lot of things related to your move. If you’ve ever gotten moving quotes, then you know the cost of hiring movers is fairly high, but the IRS allows you to deduct these expenses if you meet the eligibility requirements. You can also claim up to a month in storage costs, as well as the cost of moving insurance that you had to purchase to protect your goods throughout the move. Another thing you can claim is the lodging and travel costs associated with one trip from your old home to your new home. This can include a per mile charge for gasoline and maintenance on your vehicle, as well as any necessary arrangements that were required for the move to be successful.

Claiming Your Moving Expenses

Perhaps the best part about claiming your moving expenses is the fact that the IRS does not require you to itemize these deductions. Instead, there is a special IRS form that must be filled out and attached to your tax return in order to be eligible. This makes the process simple for anyone who is eligible for this deduction, and thus, the credit on their taxes that might just result in more money in a person’s pocket following the highly expensive move. While not everyone can claim these moving expenses, it is always worth a look to see if you are eligible. In the end, the money that you can save may make the expenses associated with moving to a new home something that you can deal with until it is time to file your next tax return.