Differences Between Moving Companies, Their Services Offered, And Why Those Differences Exist
When you finally decide to move again, or move because you have to, you will look at different moving companies to help you out. As you peruse the multiple listings for movers, you may see several in-state moving companies and several interstate moving companies. This may lead to some confusion about why these companies would advertise the types of moves they perform. Here are two types of moving companies, what makes them different from each other, and why.
Interstate Versus In-State
In state moving companies are those willing to move you anywhere you want to go within the boundaries of your present state. Interstate means that the company is offering you the chance to move far away from the state in which you currently reside to another state altogether. When a mover is strictly in-state, the company cannot and will not move your belongings across state lines. Often, it is a matter of company and state licensing or driver licensing that prohibits the companies from offering or carrying out different types of moving services.
Bonding and Insurance
Another difference between these two types of moving companies is often the bonding and insurance they carry for their businesses. Obviously, if your mover is going to claim responsibility for everything you own, including your grand piano or your antique divan, the company will need more insurance to move your things across state lines and further away from their original location. (The greater the moving distance, the greater the danger and/or probability for mishaps and accidents.)
Likewise, the bonding your moving company buys has to be enough to cover the services it provides to you and its attempts to satisfy your needs with the mover's services. The bonding protects your interests and your stuff, regardless of the distance it is moved. Since bonding is very expensive and very necessary to interstate moving companies, in-state moving companies might shy away from being bonded and choose to only provide short-distance moves within the state's boundaries.
Moving Trucks and Drivers
Many types of short-distance moving trucks do not require a commercial license, while long-distance moves (like interstate moves) will need a commercial license to operate a semi rig and trailer. Moving companies may be willing to pay for a commercial license and training, but often the expense is enough for these companies to just avoid long-distance services unless or until they have drivers with commercial licenses. There is also the probability that drivers do not want to be so far from home and would prefer that their work day end at the end of each day. Moving companies that promise their drivers that the drivers will be home every night of the week are not likely to offer interstate moving services.