United Van Lines: What to Know
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United Van Lines is a full-service moving company specializing in long-distance moves within the U.S. and internationally.
It’s owned by UniGroup, which also owns Mayflower Transit, another major moving company that offers similar services. Both companies serve all 50 states and more than 150 countries. Like Mayflower, United Van Lines allows you to customize your move with services such as packing and unpacking, car shipping, trash and debris removal and storage options. Neither company requires an upfront deposit.
Here's what to know before booking.
Services
United Van Lines is a full-service moving company, which means that when you book a move, it handles the entire process: coordination, loading and unloading, equipment and transportation. The company also offers a wide range of additional services, such as packing and car shipping.
Book United Van Lines for:
Long-distance moves: These are moves from one state to another within the U.S.
International moves: The company can help with moves to over 150 countries. The service includes assistance with customs clearance.
Local and intrastate moves: These are short-distance moves and relocations within the same state.
Car shipping: The options include door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal auto moving.
Military moves: Temporary or permanent moves for military families and government employees.
You can track your shipment online by entering your order number and last name.
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How to get a quote
You can request a moving quote on their website in three steps:
Enter your move details. Provide the dates of the move, origin and destination ZIP codes, type of move and contact information. If you have a one-bedroom move, United Van Lines may give you an instant quote based on this information alone, with no additional survey required. If not, continue to the next step.
Schedule a survey. You'll communicate with a United Van Lines representative who will confirm your details and schedule a time to survey the items you'd like to move. Surveys can be done virtually through an app.
Complete the survey. Once the estimator surveys your belongings, they’ll create a moving plan and provide the quote.
It’s best to obtain quotes from multiple movers before deciding which company to hire. Getting a quote isn't a commitment to use United Van Lines.
Because the same corporation owns United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, they both use the same online moving quote tool and have similar pricing.
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What’s included in the basic price?
At United Van Lines, a basic quote includes:
A personal move coordinator who helps organize the move.
Loading, transportation and unloading of household belongings.
Full Value Protection, which covers loss or damage related to the move unless the customer selects another option.
Standard transport of appliances (not including disconnection or connection).
Standard furniture placement.
Qualified drivers and equipment.
You can also pay for add-on services, such as packing and unpacking, storage, debris removal and housecleaning. In some cases, add-ons can be purchased as part of a customizable package.
Package | What's included |
|---|---|
Essentials: $195 | Additional protection and no convenience services, like computer setup or debris pickup at destination |
Plus 1: $395 | Additional protection and your choice of one convenience service (not including move-out cleaning) |
Plus 2: $595 | Additional protection and your choice of two convenience services (including move-out cleaning) |
Current as of October 2020 | |
United Van Lines accepts credit cards, certified checks and cash. If you pay with a credit card, it could be a good opportunity to use one with a long 0% APR period or a large sign-up bonus. Alternatively, you could take out a personal loan to cover the cost.
Loss and damage protection
United Van Lines includes its basic Full Value Protection option in each quote. Not to be confused with a standard insurance policy, the protection is based on your shipment's estimated weight, not the actual monetary value of a lost or damaged item. The protection is provided at $6 per pound. For example, if the weight of the shipment is 9,000 pounds, the protection would total $54,000.
With Full Value Protection, items valued at more than $100 per pound can be listed on a High-Value Inventory Form. Items might include expensive jewelry, electronics and high-end furniture. Listing these on the form can help ensure you receive up to their replacement value if they get lost or damaged during the move. If you want more coverage, you have the option to pay for additional Full Value Protection.
It’s possible to lower your costs by waiving the Full Value Protection included in your quote. As required by law, you’ll still get some minimal coverage if you do so: $0.60 per pound instead of $6. But this is a risky move that could leave you with almost no compensation if items get lost or damaged, and NerdWallet doesn’t recommend it.
Changes and cancellations
Like Mayflower, United Van Lines allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance at zero cost or penalty if no work has been completed. Changing moving details after they've already packed or within the 24-hour window could result in additional charges or otherwise affect your moving quote.
