International Moving: Guides & Tips

How to Select a Moving Company

Many people choose a mover based on price. However, there are a number of other factors to consider when you make your choice.

Registered International Mover Certification (RIM)
The purpose of RIM is to provide customers with standardized, independent means of differentiating and selecting qualified companies operating anywhere in the world. RIM has established universal industry standards while raising the overall level of professionalism and performance of international moving companies and their personnel. RIM programs are committed to providing the industry with the highest level of quality, integrity-based training and certification programs. Make sure your mover of choice is RIM certified.

References
Do you know anyone who has used a given mover? In most cases, try to get at least two references to a particular mover to ensure consistency. Anyone can have a good or bad experience with a move so one reference is usually not reliable. Ask all movers that give you an estimate for recent, written references.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB is a private organization that attempts to mediate disagreements between businesses and consumers. They can be a good resource to measure a moving company’s reputation. The BBB can be contacted to find out how many complaints have been filed regarding the company, and how those complaints have been responded to. Then, compare the number of complaints with the number of moves performed per year. For example, a mover that does 5,000 moves a year is bound to have more complaints than a mover that does 500. The mark of a good company is a low ratio of complaints filed verse the number of moves performed.

Licensing
A licensed mover is sanctioned by certain state or federal agencies, and has basic qualifications for operating a moving company. State agencies regulate local moves, while the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) regulates interstate moves. A mover should be able to provide a number, either in its advertisement or over the phone, which certifies that it is licensed.

Insurance
Situations can arise that are beyond our control, therefore, for your protection we suggest that you insure your shipment. There are two basic options:

• All Risk Replacement Cost coverage protects your goods door-to-door. If your household goods and personal effects are damaged, Insurers will pay for repairs; if there is a documented loss, or if items are un-repairable, they will pay replacement value (not exceeding insured values). If there is documented damage to your insured auto, Insurers will pay for repairs or actual cash value (not to exceed insured value).
• Total Loss Insurance is a limited coverage. Insurers will pay only when damage can be reasonably attributed to fire, lightning, cyclones, hurricanes or tornadoes, crash, collision or overturn of the transporting conveyance and stranding or sinking of the vessel to name a few (request the insurance terms for a complete list of insured perils). This limited coverage can be purchased for door-to-door shipments, or door-to-port only shipments.
  

Workman’s Compensation
Licensed movers are also required to have workman’s compensation insurance for their movers. Failure to hire a company with this insurance could mean liability on your part for injuries a mover suffers on the job.