Are you considering moving overseas? If so, you’ll need to hire professionals to help with the transition. But before you do, make sure you prepare some important and essential questions to ask movers. This will ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible and that you’re completely satisfied with the service.
Are you considering relocating to a new country? If so, there are many things to take into account before considering the reasons to move. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is who will help you relocate your belongings. When choosing a moving company, it’s important to ask the right questions in order to ensure that your belongings arrive safe and sound at your destination. So what should you ask? Let’s consider all the important questions to ask moving companies.
Is the International Moving Company Licensed?
A federal institution called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) controls the use of commercial vehicles to ensure both business and consumer safety. Although receiving FMCSA accreditation doesn’t assure that a mover will offer you reasonable rates or high-quality service, it does show that the business isn’t just a front for a relocation scam.
We advise you to verify this one because any business might claim to be duly accredited for moving internationally, even if it isn’t. The MC and the USDOT number should both be listed at the bottom of the home page of every respectable company. These are identifying numbers that the federal government has given to the business. Enter one of these digits into the FMCSA database and review the data that appears.
Is It Also Insured?
The cost of your belongings is covered by moving coverage, an almost insurance-like service, in the event that they are damaged or lost in transportation. Basic liability insurance must be provided without charge by every moving company.
With Full Value Replacement Insurance (FVRI,) your items are fully protected for their present market worth. If you possess FVRI and your furniture accidentally slips off the moving truck while it is being transported, you would be compensated in order to repair it or purchase a replacement of comparable value. Full Value Replacement Insurance, however, is typically more expensive and isn’t provided by all businesses.
Broker or a Legit International Mover – The Question Is Now
One of the essential moving company questions is whether the company is representing itself or working on behalf of someone else. Any mover can be categorized into one of these three groups:
- Brokers (also called brokerages),
- Movers (sometimes called carriers),
- Hybrid brokers/carriers.
You can see an explanation about each below, so you don’t make any huge relocation mistakes when you choose.
Brokers or Brokerages
Brokers contract with businesses with which they have partnerships to handle relocations to another country in their name. Once your broker is informed of your relocation, they will publish your information to a community board akin to a marketplace so that its affiliates can submit bids for the position. Dealing with a broker can lead to lower pricing for you because various businesses are competing.
However, using a broker has drawbacks as well. One is that a different team than the one you spoke with will actually arrive to pack the dishes and other stuff, load, and transport everything to your new residence. It’s possible that the broker was never even mentioned by this group. This may lead to misunderstandings and perhaps extra expenses and charges on relocation day.
Movers or Carriers
Need some extra relocation tips to help you decide between these solutions? Keep in mind that your experience will almost always be more seamless working with a carrier than working with a broker because carriers handle all with their own team. You might have to pay a little bit more, though.
Broker/Carrier Hybrids
Broker/carrier hybrids employ internal staff to handle some aspects of relocating. However, they contract out specialty services (typical tasks like auto shipping or piano transport) to other businesses.
What Kind of International Moving Services Does the Company Offer?
Every moving company has a different menu of services that you can book when organizing your move because they are not all made equal. Never presume a moving company provides all the international moving services you require. A moving business might provide the following services, to name just a few:
- Loading possessions and unloading them,
- Packing services,
- Custom crating,
- Building and dismantling furniture,
- Specialty objects like pianos which require special transportation,
- Storage service,
- Overseas vehicle shipping,
- And more.
But for every business that provides one of the aforementioned services, there is a business that does not. If any of these services are essential to your relocation, you should confirm that any business you consider hiring offers them.
Does the International Moving Company Offer Shipment Tracking?
Some movers will provide you with a list of items movers won’t move, while others will offer shipment tracking. It allows you to get up-to-date information on your furniture. From GPS monitoring through the corporate website to something as straightforward as contacting the relocation company and asking for an update, there are several ways to trace shipments.
Unfortunately, not all businesses provide this service and those that do often perform poorly. Shipment tracking shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but it can alleviate your mind during relocation to another country.
Is the Estimate Free – One of the Most Important Questions to Ask Movers
Are you moving out for the first time? If so, you may not realize that many firms will provide you with a quote in an effort to lure you in at a low cost. If that estimate is not contractually obligated, the business may decide to raise the pricing in the future. On moving day, when it may be too late for you to get a better deal, certain movers are infamous for raising their rates.
So, what’s the best moving hack to overcome this? Working with a provider that offers legally binding estimates can help you avoid this circumstance. Binding estimates guarantee that your cost won’t go up as long as everything goes according to plan throughout your move and nothing gets added to your inventory list at the last minute. So ensure you ask about the guaranteed price.
Guaranteed prices for International Moving. No hidden fees or surprises!
Ask Your International Mover About Other Fees
Most moving firms use hidden fees to inflate their rates on the relocation day. These costs are either misrepresented in your contract, buried under mounds of legalese, or not revealed until they appear on your final invoice. Additionally, it’s doubtful that a customer support agent will provide you with a straightforward response. If a business conceals its fees, it likely instructs its employees to do the same. Instead, we advise looking at client testimonials to see if a business frequently imposes unexpected expenses.
Naturally, you should never take a customer evaluation at face value. They are frequently not fact-checked and they could have been written by irate customers having a terrible day. Never allow a single negative review to alter your opinion of a business. However, we advise choosing a different business to engage with if you discover they have hidden fees. So, checking this should be a priority on your to-do list.
How Does the Company Handle Damage Claims?
Moving insurance has previously been discussed, but there is more to it than that. Contact your provider and go through the claims procedure before you can be compensated for lost or damaged items. To find out what your options are in the event that something is damaged or goes missing in transit, ask your helpdesk about the claims procedure. You should also look at a company’s user reviews to acquire answers to this question, just like you would with hidden fees. Consider using a new provider if numerous clients claim they weren’t compensated.
Do International Movers Guarantee Delivery Dates?
All movers provide estimates for when your belongings should arrive, and unless they guarantee those dates and you write them down in your relocating abroad checklist, they may arrive late and leave you with no compensation. A mover who promises to deliver your shipment by a certain date is making a written commitment to do so. Even if a customer care representative calls it a promised delivery date, it is not if it is not in writing.
Of course, things happen, and even when you have a set delivery date, vehicles might occasionally be late. Your mover must compensate you for a portion of your cash if this occurs. Even though your furniture won’t arrive any sooner as a result of this, a discounted move is still hard to beat.
What Should You Do if You Need to Cancel the Services?
Numerous valid reasons exist for postponing your move. Perhaps you didn’t receive the offer of employment you were hoping for, or perhaps you simply came to the conclusion that the benefits of relocating don’t outweigh the disadvantages. In case you need to cancel, find out your options.
Some businesses won’t charge you for canceling your move as long as you do it enough in advance, and a few will even allow you to reschedule without incurring any fees. Most, however, will keep your deposit in full or in part if you cancel within a specified window of time preceding your move, and there can even be additional cancellation charges.
Before you sign any contracts, find out the cancellation policy of the chosen moving business if there’s even a remote possibility that you won’t be moving after all.
How Does the Company Charge for the Services?
You may be required to use your credit card to compensate for your move because it might be so pricey. Unfortunately, not all movers accept payments made with credit cards or even cheques. But some of them may offer a discount if you pay in cash upfront. Ask your mover what forms of payment they accept so that you’ll be ready when the time comes to pay.
Do You Get a Discount of Some Kind?
Many movers provide specials and discounts, even if it’s not common in the moving business. Here are a few that occur very frequently:
- Military benefits,
- Savings for seniors,
- Member discounts for AAA,
- Seasonal specials,
- Bundle discounts.
These discounts are provided by businesses to attract more clients, hence they are frequently well-publicized. However, it never hurts to inquire if a business doesn’t make its discounts clear.
Moving Internationally Will Be Easier When You Get Informed and Hire the Best Movers
As soon as you have decided to live in another country and have found the best place to move abroad alone, inform the movers of your plans. This will give them time to plan and prepare so that everything goes smoothly. Once you have informed them, start packing your belongings. Be sure to label all boxes with their contents and your destination so that the relocation crew will know where to put them when they arrive.
When the day of the move arrives, be sure to organize important documents at home. This includes your passport, visa, and any other documents that you may need. The movers will need these in order to get you and your belongings through customs. Once everything is in order, relax and let the movers do their job, but remember to prepare a box of moving essentials. As for the rest, professionals will move you efficiently and get your belongings to the new home safely.