Monthly Archives: April 2021

What Kind Of Insurance Do I Need When Moving?

Before you hire a professional moving company and put your boxes and furniture pieces on their moving truck, you want to do some research on moving insurance. Whether you’re moving locally or out of state, getting the right insurance coverage for your move will ease your stress levels and protect your belongings. 

Homeowners and renters insurance will not pay for any damage done to your personal property while being handled by moving professionals. This applies to packing or physically moving your items. Professional moving companies provide some kind of protection for your belongings, but it depends on your agreement.

Understand your protections

The type of “liability coverage” moving companies offer for damage or breakage is not actual insurance nor governed by state insurance laws. However, under federal law, all interstate moving companies must offer two different liability options: (1) Full value protection and (2) released value protection. Intra-state movers usually provide both of these options, as well. 

Make sure you ask your moving coordinator to provide you with the specific policy terms in writing. You want to understand the various types and levels of protection available and the charges for each option.

(1) Full value protection 

This plan holds the moving company liable for the replacement value of the belongings while handling your personal property. Suppose any of your items are lost, destroyed, or damaged. In that case, the moving company will have to repair or replace the item(s), or make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market value. The cost for full-value protection liability coverage varies. Most likely, you can choose between different deductibles, which will reduce or increase the price.

(2) Released value protection 

This plan is offered at no additional charge beyond the moving fee and provides only minimal protection of your belongings. Let’s assume the released value protection is at 60 cents per pound per item. If your mover loses or damages a 10-pound furniture piece valued at $1,000, you would only receive $6.00 in compensation (60 cents x 10 pounds).

(2.1) Separate liability coverage 

Your moving company may offer to expand your released value protection for an additional fee. Suppose you choose to purchase this extra coverage. In that case, the same condition as described above still applies in terms of the moving company’s responsibility. But the rest of the loss can now be recovered by the additional policy you have purchased through an insurance company. Your mover is required to issue and provide you with a written record of the policy at the time of purchase.

VMoving provides fast transit of goods for our clients

When you hire a moving company, you want a team of movers that know how to do the job and have been doing the job for many years. They need to be experienced and quick on their feet to relocate boxes and furniture to the truck with care and due diligence. Our Moving Companies have only the best staff working for us, and we like to make sure they continue to get training to provide you with a better and better service each time.

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Moving Day: 5 Things Your Movers Want You to Know

Using a professional moving company makes the process of packing and relocating a lot easier, but there are still a few things you can do to help. So basically, your moving day has its own list of moving-related tasks that the movers can’t do for you. But they certainly will appreciate your task completion because it is going to make moving day much more smooth and productive! Here are 10 things that will make moving day easier for everyone involved.

(1) Let Them Do Their Job

Full-service movers are trained moving professionals. They have moved thousands of boxes, couches, and fragile items. Let them do their job – even if you think you know a better way to get everything done. Simply remind yourself that you hired the movers for a reason. This will make your movers feel less micromanaged and yourself feel stressed.

(2) Pack Everything Before

If you decided to hire a full-service moving company, your movers will pack your stuff for you. But if you didn’t, make sure you finish packing your boxes before they show up. Making your movers wait because you are still packing can cause frustration, confusion, and additional moving time spent which you will end up having to pay for. You want your house to be completely ready to be put on the truck when the movers arrive!

(3) Labeling

Label all of your moving boxes with their intended destination. This will help your movers unload more efficiently and save you the hassle of playing traffic director. This is even more important if you are paying them an hourly wage. If something is fragile or requires gentle handling mark those moving boxes specifically and tell your movers. They need to know clearly and ahead of time.

(4) Emptying And Special Items

Most moving professionals won’t handle furniture or filing cabinets that still have personal items in them. It makes it much heavier and more difficult for your movers to transport. It can pose a danger for them because of sliding drawers and shifting content. Your movers also don’t need to be burdened with certain items such as cash, jewelry, and prescription medications. Moving day can get pretty hectic, so hold onto your valuables and let the moving crew take care of the rest.

(5) Don’t Disappear

Just because your moving professionals need you to stay out of the way, it doesn’t mean to disappear on them. You should stay around the house, let your movers know where to find you in case they have questions or need you, and if you have to run an errand and leave for a short while simply communicate it with them.

VMoving provides fast transit of goods for our clients

When you hire a moving company, you want a team of movers that know how to do the job and have been doing the job for many years. They need to be experienced and quick on their feet to relocate boxes and furniture to the truck with care and due diligence. Our Moving Companies have only the best staff working for us, and we like to make sure they continue to get training to provide you with a better and better service each time.

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How To Move A Gun Safe Safely

Gun safes usually weigh between 500-800 pounds (even reaching upwards of 1,000 pounds sometimes), making their transport a problematic task. Safe gun owners know that it becomes even more important to learn how to properly move a gun safe to keep your family and children out of harm’s way. People have died and can die from improperly moving a safe.

If you are struggling with the shipping process of your gun safe, or tried to take on the challenge of doing it on your own, hiring professional movers is always the way to go. There are a lot of companies that specialize in unusual item transportation, and choosing one of them can save you from a stressful moving process. Professional movers can easily move your empty gun safe the same way they move any other heavy items. They have the necessary supplies, the proper truck, and well-trained people for your cargo. The movers will most likely wrap the gun safe in bubble wrap and moving blankets to prevent damage. And they will carefully load it onto a moving dolly and transport it the same way you move a refrigerator or any other large household items.

Empty Your Gun Safe Before Moving

You probably know that your weapons are hefty. And suppose your firearm cabinet contains several pistols, handguns, and munitions. In that case, your gun safe will be almost twice as heavy as it is. If you don’t empty it and it is being dropped accidentally, your equipment could be damaged. Also, for your safety and everyone else in the house, don’t move loaded guns inside your weapons locker.

Safety And Legal Issues When Moving

You can’t just pack firearms into a moving truck without having done proper research. Whether you’re moving with firearms or having them shipped, you need to keep in mind a number of safety and legal issues. Not all moving companies can transport guns. Especially when it comes to long-distance moving, you have to figure out what to do and how you can get your firearms to another state. You have three options: driving, flying or shipping. All of these methods have their own rules and regulations, but transporting firearms can be easily done.

Packing Your Firearms

When packing your firearms, you need to keep one thing in mind – safety. Before you begin to pack your firearms, you must remove all ammunition and ensure the gun’s safety is on. For the actual packing of weapons, you need a box slightly larger than the firearm, bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Begin by wrapping the firearm in the bubble wrap, then place it in a box filled with packing peanuts. It is recommended you do this for each firearm to prevent damage. Another option is to use a padded firearm case. The same thing applies here; pack your ammunition separately as an added precaution. If you’re moving these firearms yourself, it’s advised you pack them in your moving truck or trailer. If you pack them in your vehicle, state and local laws regarding concealed carrying of firearms may apply as they would be considered accessible. When you are moving across state lines, you must be aware of state and local laws to ensure that the movement of firearms into the new state does not violate any laws. The new state or city may not recognize permits or licenses issued by another state. Therefore you need to research what your new state requires of you before moving.

Shipping Your Firearms

If you decide to ship your firearms, you can follow the same packing process described above. You want to make sure NOT to label the box as containing a firearm because it violates ATF regulations. Notifying your moving or shipping company of the box’s content is totally fine and advised because certain guns can’t be shipped with certain companies. Lastly, be mindful when shipping your weapons to a new state as you can be violating state and local laws. Research what your new state requires of you before shipping your guns.

Note: Federal and state laws regarding firearms frequently change. These suggestions are not legal advice or a summary of laws. Consult a local attorney or the written local laws to determine which laws apply to your specific situations. After arriving at your destination, state and local laws for ownership and possession will apply.

VMoving provides fast transit of goods for our clients

When you hire a moving company, you want a team of movers that know how to do the job and have been doing the job for many years. They need to be experienced and quick on their feet to relocate boxes and furniture to the truck with care and due diligence. Our Moving Companies have only the best staff working for us, and we like to make sure they continue to get training to provide you with a better and better service each time.

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How To Move Safely During COVID-19

Movers Unloading Boxes From Moving Truck During COVID 19 Pandemic

Much of our normal life has changed or ceased since the coronavirus crisis gripped the USA in March of 2020. But some things have to go on, like moving. Maybe your lease is up? Perhaps you need to combine your household with others in your family for financial reasons? Or maybe you were already in the process of changing homes, and you just can’t put it off anymore. Planning a move to a new home can be pretty challenging. Still, now you have to worry about protecting yourself and your family from the novel coronavirus. The excellent news, staying protected and reducing your risk while moving isn’t as challenging as it seems. Here are five tips you can use when the time comes to move during the pandemic.

(1) Get a Contactless, Virtual Quote

As you begin researching moving companies online to plan a contactless move during COVID-19, look for movers that provide virtual estimates rather than in-home visits. The video estimate feature is an excellent alternative to the traditional in-person moving estimate. Using video communication via a smart device allows you to walk an estimator through your home remotely. Check with the moving company to find out how you can best prepare for their virtual quote process. Most likely, preparation instructions will include:

  • Make sure your phone or tablet is fully charged and that you have a strong Wi-Fi signal. If you are not connected to Wi-Fi, remember that data charges may apply. 
  • Turn on the lights in all of the rooms you will be showing to your moving cost estimator. 
  • Open all cabinets and closets for items inside you will need to be moved. 
  • Have a tape measure on hand, just in case your estimator needs you to measure an item for accuracy.

(2) Questions to ask

Make sure you ask your moving company what measures they are taking to ensure a safe moving experience during COVID-19. Quality moving professionals understand the safety of you and your belongings are critical during any move. The movers should demonstrate considerable vigilance at this time when it comes to your safety and health. Below are a few questions to get you started as you vet your movers:

  • What precautions are you taking to protect your moving crew and drivers?
  • What precautions are you taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among your movers? 
  • What will you do if it’s discovered that a worker or customer has been diagnosed with COVID-19?  
  • Can you provide me with additional information, links, or documents that address moving during COVID-19 before I schedule my move with you?  

(3) Buy A LOT of packing materials – in advance

Studies have shown that the coronavirus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. It’s best to get packing supplies delivered to you, so you can avoid the risks of last-minute trips to the hardware store during the pandemic. You don’t want to realize the day before your move that you don’t have enough stuffing or boxes to pack and end up having to make several hardware-store-runs. Your budget, your belongings, and your schedule will thank you for spending the extra time in advance determining the number of boxes you’ll need. You can use the chart below to get an idea of how many boxes you’ll need. Do not forget to keep in mind that the longer you live in your home, the more stuff you will have accumulated!

  • Studio: 10 – 20
  • One-Bedroom Apartment: 20 – 40
  • Two-Bedroom Apartment: 40 – 60
  • Two Bedroom House: 60 – 80
  • Three Bedroom House: 80 – 100
  • Four Bedroom House: 100 – 120
  • Larger: 120+

(4) Communicating ahead (Moving and Donations)

If you are moving out or into an apartment building or condominium complex, notify your management company of your move’s time and date. Remember to make these arrangements ahead of time on both ends of the move. Ask your management team about using a service elevator for the day of your move and special arrangements needed for parking the moving truck. You should also notify your neighbors by phone or email so that they can be aware of keeping a safe distance in halls and elevators on your moving day.

Moving usually means sorting through your belongings and shedding items you no longer use. But dropping off a bag of clothes at Goodwill isn’t as simple as it was before. Wherever you donate household goods locally, check their website and call to see how and where to give.

(5) Sanitary Precautions and Cleaning

Your movers should come prepared with their face masks on and continue to wear them throughout the entire moving process. Keep your distance from movers and avoid handshakes. If possible weather-wise, you want to leave your windows opened to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate. Most importantly, you want to have enough soap and paper towels available for your movers and your family to wash your hands throughout the day. 

Thoroughly disinfect and clean your new home before you unpack and settle in. After the movers leave, take some time to disinfect any areas that are high-touch zones. Wipe down door handles, light switches, and bathrooms before you finish unpacking. Get rid of any germs that could have been brought in on foot traffic by sweeping and mopping your floors. Besides cleaning and disinfecting your furniture and belongings as you unpack, make sure to properly dispose of all packing materials. Contact your local government agency if you have questions regarding the disposal or recycling of boxes and other packing material.

VMoving provides fast transit of goods for our clients

When you hire a moving company, you want a team of movers that know how to do the job and have been doing the job for many years. They need to be experienced and quick on their feet to relocate boxes and furniture to the truck with care and due diligence. Our Moving Companies have only the best staff working for us, and we like to make sure they continue to get training to provide you with a better and better service each time.

Get a FREE QUOTE in less than 30 seconds!