General Loading/Delivery Packing/Preparation Cost Transit Protection As you prepare for your move, you probably have "a million things on your mind." To minimize your stress at this hectic time, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions, along with their answers. Some of the questions require more specific information, in which case your Allied moving counselor is the person to ask. Make sure that your moving counselor answers these and any other questions you may have. GENERAL How does the moving process work? For an explanation of the moving process with a vanline, go to "How Long Distance Moving Operates". For a step-by-step overview of your move, click here. How do I locate the Bonded agent nearest me? Use the on-line Agent Locator to locate your local Allied agent in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. For other international moves, click here. Who can I call if I have questions while my belongings are being shipped? Throughout your move, your primary contact is the moving counselor who helped plan your move. Your moving counselor should have given you the name and telephone number of an Allied agent near your new home to contact upon your arrival there. But, at any time during your move you can always contact Allied's Customer Resource Center at 1-800-470-2851. You may also check on the status of your shipment online through our Shipment Tracking System. Click here for helpful moving tips! <back to top> LOADING/DELIVERY What is a "load spread"? When your move is first booked, it is difficult to estimate exactly when the driver will arrive at your home. We will give you a range of 3-4 days during which the driver will arrive. You will receive notification one day in advance of the day that the driver will arrive at your home to load your belongings. To check on the status of your shipment, go to Shipment Tracking. Is there anything I should keep with me and NOT load on the truck? Be sure to carry enough clothing, medications, toiletries, etc. to last from the load date until the last day of the delivery spread. We do suggest that you keep small valuables such as jewelry and family photographs and videos with you during the move. Allied also recommends that you pack a survival box. Can I transport my car? It is possible to transport your automobile with the rest of your belongings -- provided there's enough room. Please consult your moving counselor for more information. Does Allied provide motorcycle transportation? There are Allied agents who offer uncrated motorcycle transportation. Click here for more information. Is there anything that I can’t have moved? Plants and pets, for obvious reasons, can’t be loaded on the truck. There are several household items that are considered hazardous materials and cannot be moved with your other belongings. These include aerosols, gas cans, paints, varnish, corrosives, batteries, matches, nail polish and remover, ammunition, explosives, cleaning fluids and detergents. Please consult your moving counselor if you think you have anything else that may not be safe to transport on the truck. When will my belongings be delivered? Before your belongings are loaded on the truck, you and your moving counselor should have agreed on a delivery spread of 3-4 days. You will receive notification of delivery one day prior to delivery. You, or someone you have designated on your Allied paperwork to take your place, must be present to accept delivery and pay all charges. In the event that no one is available, your shipment could be placed in storage at an additional charge. Be sure that you give your moving counselor telephone numbers where you can be reached throughout the move. Once I get to my new home, whom can I contact in the local area? Who do I call for unpacking services? Your moving counselor will provide you with the name of the Allied agent who has been assigned as your "destination agent". You should have the name of the agency and their phone number. <back to top> PACKING/PREPARATION Can I pack anything in the drawers of my dresser or desk? All loose items must be packed in boxes to prevent damage during transport. Non-fragile, light-weight items such as clothing and linens can be left in dresser drawers. What should I do to prepare to move my waterbed? Waterbeds need to be drained completely. Fiber-filled waterbeds need to be professionally vacuum-drained in advance of your move date. Your moving counselor can refer you to a professional to perform these services. Should anything be done to my appliances to prepare them for the move? Appliances such as washers, dryers and refrigerators must be disconnected, and the washer must have a stabilizer installed. Again, your moving counselor can refer you to an appropriate professional to perform these services. How will Allied protect my upholstered furniture? Allied uses a special procedure called StretchWrap. It is a heavy, clear plastic wrap that protects your furniture from being soiled. Click here for more helpful packing tips! <back to top> COST What are my charges based on? For an interstate move, your charges are based on the weight of your shipment, together with the mileage between origin and destination. At the time of your estimate, your moving counselor will be happy to explain the itemized charges on your estimate, which would include any packing, crating, uncrating and coverage. For more information on moving charges, go to "How Moving Charges Are Determined". How can I obtain an estimate of moving costs? To receive an estimate, fill out the on-line form and your local Allied agent will contact you to set up an appointment. For a ballpark estimate of moving costs, check out our Moving Calculator. What is the difference between a binding and non-binding estimate? A non-binding estimate requires you to pay based on the actual weight of your shipment and the actual services performed. There is no limit. A binding estimate is a price guaranteed not to be exceeded unless additional services are performed that are not specifically listed on your paperwork. You must complete additional paperwork for any items to be added to your shipment or to have additional services provided. Where do "extra charges" come from? Do you have an attic, crawl space or storage shed? Often these storage areas are forgotten when working up an estimate and remembered only when it is time to load the truck. The cost of moving these additional items would have to be added to the estimate. To avoid this situation, be sure you have shown all of these areas to your moving counselor at the time of the estimate. Will there be extra charges if I am moving into or out of a multilevel building? Allied does not impose additional charges for stair, elevator or distance carrying. Since your moving counselor does not visit your new home, you will have to let him/her know about the layout there. What if the truck can’t park up close to the house? If we are not able to park the truck close to an entrance to your home, no additional distance charges will be imposed if truck may reach within 375 feet of any entrance of residence. Often tree branches grow low over roadways not allowing for the height of a truck. Narrow streets and driveways can restrict accessibility to your home, making it necessary for the driver and helpers to carry your belongings a longer-than-normal distance. If the distance from your home to the truck is too great for the driver and helpers to carry your belongings, we may need to load your belongings on a smaller "shuttle" truck before placing them on the actual moving van. Use of a shuttle truck is also an additional charge. What payment options are available? Most moves require payment upon delivery by either cash, certified check or money order. Other payment options such as credit card may be pre-arranged. Discuss these options with your moving counselor to select the one that works best for you. In the event that your employer is paying for the move, the employer may pre-arrange be billed via invoice. Whatever payment option best meets your needs, be sure that all the arrangements are made before your belongings are packed and loaded. <back to top> TRANSIT PROTECTION What if something is damaged while it is being shipped? Occasionally, some minor damage occurs during shipping. We have several options to protect your belongings. Review the coverage plans with your moving counselor to select the plan that best fits your needs. A valuation of 60 cents per pound per article is provided at no charge, but we recommend that a higher valuation be declared to adequately cover your belongings in the event of damage. As an example, suppose your new television purchased for $500, weighing 50 pounds, is damaged beyond repair. Minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound per article would entitle you to $30. Allied does offer additional protection plans that will more adequately fit your needs. Ask your moving counselor about Extra Care Protection/Customer Transit Protection. If you need to file a claim, you can do so on-line, or by calling 1-800-470-2851 (select option #2). What is Extra Care Protection/Customer Transit Protection? Extra Care Protection (ECP), in the U.S., or Customer Transit Protection in Canada, provides for the full cost of repair, or the full cost of replacement of any household item that may be damaged or lost during your move, up to the amount that you declare to be the total value of your belongings. Minimum valuation under this plan is $5.00 times the weight of your shipment. Replacement, if necessary, is at today’s prices, not at depreciated cost. This full replacement protection includes many matched sets and pairs, such as candlesticks, lamps and chairs. <back to top>