When you review the movers’ websites, you may notice a lack of discussion around moving insurance. Part of the reason is that your items are not insured while moving in the sense to which most people are accustomed. It is not that there is a total lack of coverage, but it makes little sense to the average person.

Federal Law requires carriers (movers) to provide minimum coverage for damage or loss to your items. But, the coverage is implemented much differently than you may be used to seeing in things like a homeowners policy.

Movers Release Value Coverage

The standard coverage is provided as part of every move. The basic carrier liability or “release value coverage”  has no relationship to the value of the items. In the transportation sector, much is based on the weight of items, and liability coverage is no exception. The basic coverage is $0.60 per pound, regardless of the market or replacement value of the items.

In other words, an item like a vase that weighs 3 lbs may be worth $50. But, at $0.60/per pound liability coverage, a person would only be reimbursed $1.80 if it should be broken.

Movers would be hard-pressed to obtain reimbursement of a sufficient amount for most belongings. 

Full Value Protection

Carriers must also offer the option of Full Value Protection. This coverage has an additional cost, and the details are directed by the policy the mover has. While movers are required to make Full Value Protection available to their customers, the moving company’s policy details can differ.

Ask for the detail on how the fair market value, replacement value, or repair costs are calculated. You’ll also need to be clear on the price for the coverage. 

Liability Insurance

Separately from the required coverage offerings by the carriers, you can also obtain a private move policy. Typically, these will cover the replacement cost of the items in question, less the carrier’s release value coverage. This can be purchased directly from insurance providers or through your carrier if they provide access to 3rd party insurance policies.

Steps to take for Movers Insurance

Though movers are required to provide minimum coverage or access to full-value coverage options, moving customers should not wait until after the move to understand the coverage requirements. At a minimum, it is the responsibility of the customer to:

1. Obtain the details of what is covered for each coverage option
2. Understand the claims and reimbursement processes
3. Provide a list of high-value items, their condition, and their replacement cost
4. Perform a post-move evaluation of your items, comparing the conditions outlined on the list of high-value items.
5. Submit all claims in a timely manner.

Knowing what is not covered

It is important to understand the limitation of the liability the carrier has for your property during a move. It will be frustrating to believe you are covered only to have the claim refused. When you sign up for coverage or accept basic coverage, you should also obtain the policy details, as mentioned above.

Some basic items like houseplants or anything perishable will not be covered. Basically, some common sense should come into play. If it can die or rot, it’s not covered.

If a carrier did not pack the damaged items, and the damage can be tied to shortcomings in packing (too little padding, for example) provides grounds for refusing a claim. The more the carrier handles during the move, the easier it is to validate a claim. 

Natural disasters, acts of God, or acts of mother nature, however you want to put it, your items may not be covered. Be sure to understand if damaged items from such events are excluded from coverage.

To learn about the damaged item coverage from your carrier, you will need to engage them in the conversation actively. Be proactive and obtain the information prior to signing an agreement. If you wait until after the move to know what is covered, you will have a minimum coverage amount and likely not recover the full value of any damaged items.

When you’re moving from one state to another state, this is technically considered a long-distance move, even if just over the state line. There are a number of things you have to do in a new state that will impact your timeline and the steps you take after you move in. This is important whether the move is a couple of thousand miles or just a few miles over a state line. 

Here are some things to keep in mind.

New State Property Registrations and Licenses

Vehicle information

Transferring a car or truck between states requires registering the vehicle & a title transfer. Typically, you will need the title and registration from the originating state. 

If you have recreational vehicles, including boats, motorcycles, campers, and even trailers, most states have registration requirements for these as well. Double-check that you have all your paperwork together to handle the transfers simultaneously. 

It might be tempting to make the transfers via mail, but it’s best to go to the DMV. The DMV personnel can assist you with the paperwork and ensure everything is in order, so you do not have a lot of back-and-forth with the bureaucracy of the new state.

Driver’s Licence or state ID

Since you will need to transfer the vehicle information & registration, and it’s best to do that in person, get your new license set up at this time as well. Before you go, read the state’s requirements. Some may require full-blown testing with driving, eye, and test exams. Others may simply require the old license to be exchanged. Know what you should expect before you go.

Business registrations

Many people run businesses from their homes, and some require local registrations. It is easy to leave this off as not immediately important, but best not to. Catching up on state requirements can be tricky.

Insurance in Your New State

Auto Insurance

Check your auto policy or contact your agent to determine the coverage you will have during your move process. Also, ask for recommendations for agents or companies in your new state. Most people have carriers that write policies in multiple states, but that does not mean your policy transfers. So, don’t assume that because your insurance company is national, your policy simply transfers. You will need a new policy based on your new home.

Recreational vehicle insurance

The same is true of your other property insurance coverage. Even if a vehicle does not require state registration, make sure it is part of the consideration for insurance coverage. From property damage to liability, you want to be sure you are covered.

Health and medical 

The vast majority of medical insurance coverage is based on your location. If you do not have a company covering your health insurance, start investigating early. Your insurance policy from your old state won’t cover you in the new state. It is best to get the policy set up to be in place when you move in.

Banking in a New State

For most people, the majority of banking is done online. Because of this, it is easy to forget about local bank access. If you occasionally use the local bank branch, review the locations of your current bank to see if they have a location convenient to your new home. If not, then it is better to find a location from another institute prior to moving and opening an account prior to moving.

New State Taxes

Hopefully, you have researched the tax differences between your new state and your old prior to your move to the new state. Some states have similar tax setups. But, where there is a difference, it can be surprising. Depending on where you move, the daily repercussion of the taxes can be surprising. 

Sales Tax

Sales taxes impact daily purchases. In some states, there is no sales tax, while in others, it can be upwards of 10% with overlapping taxing authorities. In addition to state sales taxes, local governments may also have taxing authority. 

State Income Tax

Like sales taxes, some states have income taxes. This has obvious implications for your take-home income. It may be higher or lower. 

Property Taxes

If you are purchasing rather than renting when you move to your new state, you will need to consider the impact of property taxes. A great way to manage property tax payments is to have an escrow set up as part of your mortgage payment. The lending company will be responsible for making the payments, ensuring the amount is incorporated into your monthly budget.

Schools in Your New State

Moving with children adds extra twists to any move. When moving to a new state, you may be facing different sets of requirements. 

State-level class requirements

Each state must follow certain guidelines from the federal government but also add its own requirements; more or less physical education, English math, the arts, etc. While your child may have fulfilled requirements in your old district, it may be different in the new district. 

Testing & Capability Requirements

In addition to different education requirements, each state may have different standards for each level. It is possible that your child will be ahead or behind the new classmates. Prior to making a move, it’s a good idea to speak with school administrators to ensure you understand what will be expected of your child’s education and a given age. 

When moving, there are many tasks to accomplish. When the move is across state lines, there are either more tasks, or the tasks can be more complicated. It is best to get the process started early to ensure they are done properly. 

One way to get better acquainted with the differences between states is to speak with the people who live in the new state. Your future neighbors (or current ones if you’ve already moved) can give you a good idea of the schools, taxes, and such. Good conversations can also shed light on aspects of living in the state that may not have been obvious before your move. Learning from those who have lived there is a great way to get a real perspective.

When you move to a new house, cooking can be challenging. Not just the first or second meal, but for the first weeks and even months while you still discover favorite bowls and utensils tucked far away, deep in a box that landed in the wrong room or didn’t look important when you first moved in.

But don’t dismay – we’ve gathered a list of 10 meals that can be made with a microwave, one microwave-safe dish, and one utensil (plus groceries, of course!) so you can cook when you have just one kitchen box unpacked and ready to go.

#1 – Potato Chip Hotdish

A guilty pleasure, potato chip hotdish is made by tossing rich pantry staples into a casserole dish and microwaving until hot. It’s really that easy!

You can find the full recipe here: https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/potato-chip-hotdish/1795318.

#2 – Ham-Wrapped Pickles

You don’t even need a microwave to make this decadent lunch or snack; just pickles, sliced lunch meat, cream cheese, and a spoon or a knife.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a shot: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/ham-pickle-wraps/

#3 – Easy Microwave Chicken Divan

You can make a pan of delicious chicken for supper with just a few pantry staples, including a couple of cans of chicken and parmesan cheese. Consider serving it over baked potatoes to make it more filling.

The whole recipe is here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236969/easy-microwave-chicken-divan/

#4 – Microwave Fried Rice

Are you craving Chinese food during the first week in your new house? This recipe has you covered! It takes less than ten ingredients and less than 10 ten minutes, and best yet – you need just a bowl, a mug, and a spoon.

You can find the full (and easy) recipe here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-fried-rice

#5 – 4-Minute Chicken Quesadilla

You’ll have to use either canned chicken or store-bought grilled/fully-cooked chicken for this one, but it’s super quick (just a couple of minutes), super festive, and super easy even if you haven’t unpacked yet.

You can find everything you need to know here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-4-minute-chicken-quesadilla

#6 – Omelete In a Mug

Try this delicious omelet in a mug! Aside from just four ingredients, you only need a mug and fork.

You can find the whole (tiny) recipe here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-3-minute-omelette-in-a-mug

#7 – Barbeque Chicken Nachos

Craving food that doesn’t taste like it was made in the microwave? These decadent nachos have you covered. Of course, they require a few more ingredients (still less than 10), but all you need is a plate and a bowl for this easy finger food!

Here’s the recipe: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-4-minute-bbq-chicken-nachos

#8 – Microwave Mac ‘n Cheese

For single-serving macaroni & cheese with just four real ingredients (water, salt, and pepper don’t count), try this quick and easy recipe from Tasty!

https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-5-minute-mac-n-cheese

Moving is chore enough in itself; take care of yourself by keeping the most important things close to the truck’s door and using these great easy recipes to take the pressure off during the first week!

A woman owns an average of 19 pairs of shoes, while most men own between 10 and 20 pairs, depending on their lifestyles. If you plan a household move, you’ll want to pack your shoes carefully to protect them.

Here are some shoe-packing tips.

1. Sort

First, sort your shoes. One survey demonstrated that most women wear only five pairs of shoes regularly. Of course, the number of shoes you need will vary. However, chances are you have shoes you don’t need. Go through your shoe collection and sell or discard those you haven’t worn in years.

2. Freshen

Wash sneakers and non-leather shoes with soap and water and dry them.

Then, provide an opportunity for shoes to air out so that you don’t pack odors with the shoes. Most shoes will be odor-free if you set them out overnight before you pack them. You can place those that have an unpleasant smell in the freezer for a while.

Make sure the shoes are fully dry before you pack them. As an extra precaution, you can put powder on the insides to draw out any excess water.

Pack an unused tea bag in each shoe to keep them fresh during the trip.

3. Prepare

Gather the right packing materials. While a newspaper works for packing many items, the newspaper can stain shoes. Use non-colored packing paper or paper towels to fill around your shoes.

Also, gather bubble wrap around shoes to prevent dirty shoes from wiping dirt onto clean shoes. Bubble wrap is better than plastic bags because it doesn’t rip.

4. Stuff

Put a rolled-up pair of socks at the toe of each pair of shoes to help them maintain their shape. You might also want to add rolled-up socks to the heels in some pairs.

5. Tie

You don’t necessarily need to box sneakers individually, but you may want to tie the shoelaces of each pair together. This trick may help you find them more quickly at your destination.

6. Prioritize

Consider which pairs of shoes you’ll need the quickest at your new home.

You’ll probably wear sneakers for the move. But you may also want to have handy a slip-on casual shoe and another pair of work shoes that you can wear with most of the clothes in your wardrobe. If you wear shoes for a specific sport regularly, you’ll want to keep these handy, too. Put all these essential shoes in a separate, well-marked box.

If you’re moving to a climate with seasons, prioritize and pack your shoes by season. This way, you won’t waste time in the first few weeks of your move unpacking shoes you won’t need for months. Mark the boxes as “Summer Shoes” and “Winter Shoes.”

7. Box

You’ll want to protect your dress shoes and strappy sandals. Box them individually in shoe boxes with packing paper around them. You can buy shoe boxes or use plastic bins if you don’t have the original boxes.

8. Pack

Place the shoeboxes in larger moving cartons to keep them organized. Pack the heaviest and bulkiest shoes on the bottom to prevent damage to more delicate shoes. Also, mark boxes as “shoes” and “fragile.” Avoid putting heavy boxes on top of the packages that contain your shoes. 

Get a Move On

Let us help plan and complete your move. For more tips on packing for a move, click here.

On the day you move, it’s common to take advantage of daylight. But what if you don’t have much daylight? What if your schedule demands an early or late start?

Moving at night isn’t quite the same, but it’s possible. Use these tips to help you stay safe and organized from start to finish.

1. Book in Advance

If you can’t move during the day, you’ll probably need to book your move earlier. Some companies don’t offer 24/7 service. If you need it, you’ll want to have the best options.

When browsing companies, be specific about your availability for moving time. Plan to call several of them to confirm.

As you consider timing, be realistic about what you’re able to commit. The last thing that you need is a last-minute change or cancellation because the time no longer works for you.

2. Confirm the Details

Moving at night can make it more difficult to follow up with others. You’ll want to confirm all the details in advance.

Check in with the utilities at your new home to be sure they will be ready when you arrive. Confirm the start and end time with the moving company at least a day or two ahead.

There’s always the possibility that you’ll need to call someone unexpectedly. In this case, you might want to keep the companies’ overnight phone numbers on hand.

3. Buy Extra Supplies

Moving almost always calls for more supplies than you think you’ll need. The trouble with moving at night is that you can’t just rush to the store to get more.

Instead, plan ahead and buy extra supplies. Follow recommendations for the number of boxes and other packing materials you’ll need based on your home size. Avoid the temptation to skimp.

If you buy a lot of supplies to have just in case, consider shopping at a store with multiple locations and keep the receipts. You might be able to return them if you don’t use them.

4. Add Lighting

The thing you’ll need most of all is lighting. You’ll probably have lighting at your old home, but what about your new home? It’s wise to turn on the utilities beforehand, but it’s not always possible.

Consider investing in a handful of portable, battery-operated LED lighting options. These tools are lightweight, easy to position, and may provide more light than a regular flashlight.

5. Watch for Hazards

Although moving has hazards at any time of day, nighttime makes them easier to forget. If you can’t see it, you don’t know it’s there.

Perform a nighttime walk-through of the areas you will be loading and unloading. Look for tripping hazards, insufficient light on walkways, and other risks.

You can solve most of these problems by adding more light, but others might need a different approach. Make a list of the hazards and come up with possible solutions.

Moving at night offers certain conveniences, but it can also complicate things. Be sure to have a quality professional mover help you.

In many cases, when people move, they’re constrained by factors like when their new job starts or when their old lease runs out. But maybe you’re lucky and have some flexibility for your move; you can avoid peak moving season to gain flexibility. And now, you’re wondering when the best time to move is.

Considering moving is a huge ordeal that takes up lots of your time and money, you’ll want to choose a time that’s right for you. Keep reading to discover some pros and cons of moving during each season. Ultimately, you must set your priorities to determine when you should move.  You’ll see that cost, move date flexibility, and ease of moving seems to be in tension.

Springtime Moves

Early spring will be the off-peak season for professional movers, so getting their services will be easier (and cheaper). The weather will be nice as well, for the most part.

But if you have kids, it can be challenging. For example, spring is usually when they have exams and other activities, which can interfere with your moving schedule.

Summer Moving Season

If you need to sell your home, this is a great time to do so, as it’s peak season. You’ll get more money for your sale, which can make the move easier in a financial sense.

However, the weather may be extremely hot, and your children may have many summer activities planned. And because it’s the peak season for moving, you may have a tough time finding professional movers who can accommodate your schedule.

Fall Moves

The main advantage of moving in the fall is how mild the weather can be. It also gives you time to get used to your new home and surroundings by the time the holiday season arrives. Plus, you might be able to purchase a home for cheaper, as fall is the start of the off-peak selling season.

But fall is another season that presents a challenge if you have kids. You’ll have to possibly uproot them at the beginning of the school year and start somewhere new over again.

Winter Moving

Not many people choose to move during the winter because of how bad the weather can sometimes get. Children are also still in school, so moving before the holidays would be inconvenient.

Because of this, you may be able to get some great deals with moving companies, as it’ll be the slow season for them. It’ll also be easier for them to accommodate your schedule, as theirs won’t be as packed.

However, the weather may be so bad during this time that moves can be not just inconvenient but also dangerous.

Choose the Best Time to Move for an Easier Time

As you can see, the best time to move will differ from person to person. But if you need some guidance to make the best choice for you and your family, then our guide is a fantastic place to start. From there, you can consider your choices, weigh your options, and make a better-informed decision for your move.

Do you need a moving company to assist in your move in Florida? Then get in touch with a Florida Mover now. Many are also storage companies, so if you need to put some things away in storage, they can help.

Many online platforms offer moving advice, checklists, and other valuable resources. But when push comes to shove, people still encounter unexpected challenges on moving day. Since you likely don’t have the benefit of a professional mover’s knowledge, the chances are that something will inevitably go sideways when you attempt to handle it on your own. 

Here are some ways to adapt and overcome the toughest moving challenges. 

You Didn’t Secure Movers for the Heavy Lifting.

Some passionate people believe they can complete a move without professional assistance. This tends to be a regrettable decision as non-pros bang furniture into walls and sustain injury. Let’s assume you decide not to follow this failed policy. On the other hand, the time spent considering the back-breaking approach resulted in not securing a moving company. What do you do?

Although some of the top-rated moving companies in your area may be booked, consider calling them to check. It’s possible they may be able to help or can find a date to help. Make sure your selected company has years of experience with your type of move. Ensure you vet their reviews, and check their Better Business Bureau standing and other information. Finally, stick with experienced companies that own their own trucks.

Last-Minute Packing Problems

Let’s assume that you secure the services of a quality moving outfit. Moving day draws close, and your packing appears well behind schedule. Having to change moving dates can prove costly.

Companies tend to book far in advance and will likely charge you for delays. The other problem is that you might not get a rain check. It may come as a surprise, but plenty of people fall behind in their packing. You can address this issue in multiple ways.

• Gather friends and family to help pack your belongings.
• Hire the moving company to extend last-minute packing services.
• Negotiate a soup-to-nuts deal that includes packing well in advance.

If work and life leave little extra time to undertake comprehensive pre-moving chores, it may be in your best interest to have professionals handle everything. There’s no reason to overextend yourself.

You Didn’t Purge Excess Belongings.

Moving advice columns typically emphasize the need to reduce clutter and underused items before moving. Yet, despite this repetitive narrative, more than a few people cannot bring themselves to part with stuff. This problem often comes to a head when everyday people don’t have enough space in their new digs. Although the solutions may not seem significant, these are fallback positions worth leveraging.

• Call friends and family members to take items.
• Make last-minute donations to charitable organizations.
• Rent a self-storage unit and rework the moving-company agreement to make another stop.

Perhaps the least stressful solution involves securing a self-storage unit and paying a little extra for a second delivery. Spending a modest amount of money buys you the time to sort through these items, sell some, donate others, and keep the ones you cherish.

Things Don’t Fit In New Space Well.

Sometimes people miscalculate the size of furniture and square footage of new rooms. When the movers start putting items in their designated spots, that’s typically when it dawns on people.

Remember that you don’t have to unpack in one or two days. It may be worthwhile to leave furniture in place and use one room or the garage to house the bulk of your boxes. This strategy gives you time to rethink your use of space. The key to overcoming this challenge involves stepping back and making a new use-of-space plan.