American Van Lines Review (2024)
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If you need a moving crew with experience relocating high-value items and antiques, we recommend American Van Lines. The company is among our top three recommended moving companies and stands out for its specialized labor and expertise. We determined our recommendations by comparing dozens of movers’ services, insurance coverage options, customer service teams, and other factors, then scoring them using our rigorous in-house methodology. Read our American Van Lines review to see how we rated the company in key categories and decide if it’s right for your next move.
Our Take on American Van Lines
American Van Lines is a nationwide mover licensed, insured, and registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. During our research, we found the company to be an excellent option for those with specialty items, such as artwork and antiques, as well as specialized storage and auto shipping needs.
The company offers limited moving insurance options but remains an optimal choice because of its flat-rate pricing and price-matching feature. American Van Lines can assist with local, international, and interstate moves, but the company specializes in long-distance relocations.
Pros & Cons of American Van Lines
American Van Lines’ flat-rate pricing makes it easier to gauge the cost of full-service moves and specialty services, such as antique packing. However, you may pay up to a 50% deposit for booking.
What Is American Van Lines’ Availability?
American Van Lines is available in 48 states. It doesn’t serve Alaska or Hawaii. Also, the company only directly handles local moves in North Carolina, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and South Florida.
What Are American Van Lines’ Moving Services?
American Van Lines is a licensed and insured moving company that offers comprehensive moving services, including full-service and partial-service moving packages. It also provides flexible storage solutions, special handling for heavy or oversized items, and optional moving supplies and packing materials. The company’s expert moving coordinators work closely with you to create a customized moving plan and provide transparent pricing upfront. In fact, our phone interactions with the company yielded some of the most professional and helpful interactions we’ve experienced when calling movers.
Full-Service Moves
American Van Lines offers full-service options for international, local, or long-distance travel. A background-checked team can dismantle furniture, pack your items, load them onto the moving truck, transport them, unload them, and unpack and reassemble furniture upon delivery.
Partial-Service Moves
A budget-friendly moving option is a partial-pack move. American Van Lines will pack difficult and fragile items, such as electronics, glass tabletops, and other objects you would feel more comfortable leaving in the hands of professional movers. It will then assist with loading and unloading, as well as transportation.
Contents Protection Plans
American Van Lines offers various levels of moving insurance to match your budget and shipment’s value. Here’s a breakdown of its insurance options:
- Released value: The company includes its released value plan at no extra cost. This plan offers the baseline coverage mandated by federal law. This plan compensates for each item at 60 cents per pound, providing minimal financial protection against loss or damage.
- Full value: If you have high-value items such as expensive electronics, lightweight artwork, or other valuable possessions, we advise you to consider enhancing your insurance coverage. We recommend considering the company’s full-value protection plan, which provides coverage based on the actual value of your items. This plan ensures a more comprehensive safeguarding of your possessions.
- Extraordinary value: American Van Lines offers an extraordinary value plan for items appraised at $100 or more, providing extra protection for your most prized belongings. If an item is damaged or lost, the company will either repair it, replace it with a similar item, or offer a cash settlement based on its current market value.
Moving Supplies
If you plan on doing your packing, American Van Lines can provide an assortment of moving boxes. In addition to standard box sizes, the company offers custom boxes such as mirror cases, wardrobe boxes, and dish-pack boxes.
Specialty Services
American Van Lines employs certified movers to handle one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture, fine art, antiques, and pianos. Its piano movers are versed in the proper dismantling techniques of all piano types, including grand, vertical, electrical, and digital pianos.
Storage
The company can safely store your items at one of its state-of-the-art private storage facilities. These units are housed in fireproof and stormproof buildings featuring climate control, 24-hour security surveillance cameras, and personal storage vaults.
Corporate Relocations
It also assists with commercial moving, corporate relocations, and office moves. American Van Lines provides employee relocation specialists who ask key questions to determine your company’s needs for efficient planning and time management.
How Much Does American Van Lines Cost?
We simulated the quote process with American Van Lines. Our team noted during the process that the factors that impact the overall cost of your move include the following:
- Additional services you pick
- Distance of your move
- The size/weight of your move
- The timing of your move
We used American Van Lines’ moving cost page to obtain information on moving a three-bedroom home from Houston to Chicago. The price was $7,095, which included loading services. We called the company to receive a more accurate, binding estimate with more services, but the customer service representative informed us that American Van Lines refuses to give out sample pricing unless it conducts a virtual or in-home estimate. This is an excellent sign from the company as it reveals a commitment to legitimate and fair pricing.
- $7,095 (three-bedroom, 1,082 move from Houston to Chicago)
We asked how packing services would influence this price and the representative told us they would cost about $800 extra. Our representative also told us that our deposit would range from 10%–50% of our total moving cost. The deposit amount will depend on your credit score, chosen services, and the size of the move.
American Van Lines Booking Process
You can book your move with American Van Lines by visiting the company’s website and contacting a moving coordinator. You may be asked to hold a home visit so the company can better understand your needs.
American Van Lines doesn’t provide quotes online. For the most accurate estimate, the company requests a detailed inventory of your belongings and may arrange a virtual walkthrough to view your home’s layout, including any difficult access points such as narrow stairways.
American Van Lines Customer Reviews: Reddit, BBB, Yelp, and More
American Van Lines has an A+ rating* with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company currently holds 4.1 out of 5 stars on the site but doesn’t feature accreditation. American Van Lines has been issued a BBB alert for asking customers to withdraw complaints or reviews on the BBB website. The BBB shares that the decision to post a complaint or review lies solely with the customer. This may result in a slightly biased customer review score favoring American Van Lines.
Positive customer reviews about American Van Lines frequently mention a streamlined process and efficient service. Consistent complaints focus on frequent follow-up calls after requesting a quote and lack of communication on moving day. We found the same feedback thread on the company’s Yelp profile. American Van Lines doesn’t have many recent Reddit threads, but some mention issues with receiving multiple delivery dates for their shipments.
The company also received three Newsweek customer service awards in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
Positive Reviews
Negative Reviews
*BBB ratings are accurate as of April 2024
How Does American Van Lines Compare to Other Moving Companies?
Other moving companies can provide various full-service and partial-service moving services while also supplying other benefits and additional perks.
American Van Lines vs. International Van Lines
International Van Lines (IVL) is another popular choice for full-service moves. It offers many of the same services as American Van Lines and assists with vehicle and boat relocation. If you require vehicle shipping, you can focus on communicating with one company if you choose IVL rather than two if you choose America Van Lines. IVL also offers a variety of insurance coverage options for your move, so you know your belongings are well-protected during transit.
American Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving Inc.
Safeway Moving Inc. is a full-service carrier catering to condo or homeowners associations (HOAs). The company collaborates exclusively with moving carriers who possess the necessary additional licenses and certificates of insurance mandated by HOAs. Most condo associations and HOAs require movers to have at least $1 million in liability insurance, but many standard moving companies only carry around $750,000. American Van Lines can also assist with moves relating to HOAs, but Safeway’s emphasis on this type of move and insurance coverage may lead to fewer roadblocks.
American Van Lines vs. JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services also provides various services for moves of any size. The company only offers local moving assistance in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia but provides extensive services for cross-country and international moves. JK Moving allows you to finance your move easily due to its partnership with Enhancify. This option is a rare perk in the moving industry, and American Van Lines doesn’t offer any financing. American Van Lines also features a potentially higher deposit than JK Moving, up to 50%, making JK Moving a more desirable mover if you have a set budget.
We recommend getting personalized quotes from at least three moving companies before signing a contract. Check out how American Van Lines compares to other top movers below:
| Star Rating | BBB Rating | Sample Quote | Deposit Required | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Van Lines |  | B | $2,519–$4,306 | 25% | VISIT SITE | |
| American Van Lines |  | A | $4,544 | Up to 50% up-front | VISIT SITE | |
| Safeway Moving Inc. |  | A+ | $4,000–$5,000 | Up to 40% | VISIT SITE | |
| Interstate Moving & Relocation Group |  | B | $3,823–$4,824 | Up to 33% | VISIT SITE | |
| Moving APT |  | B | $3,566–$6,266 | Varies between partners | VISIT SITE | |
| JK Moving Services |  | A+ | $5,600–$6,622 | $250 up-front | VISIT SITE | |
| North American Van Lines |  | A+ | $4,700–$5,540 | None | VISIT SITE | |
| Allied Van Lines |  | A+ | $5,442 – $6,312 | None | VISIT SITE | |
| United Van Lines |  | A+ | Call for quote | None | VISIT SITE | |
| Mayflower |  | A+ | $3,500–$4,500 | None | VISIT SITE |
| International Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Sample Quote | $2,519–$4,306 |
| Deposit Required | 25% |
| American Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A |
| Sample Quote | $4,544 |
| Deposit Required | Up to 50% up-front |
| Safeway Moving Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | $4,000–$5,000 |
| Deposit Required | Up to 40% |
| Interstate Moving & Relocation Group | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Sample Quote | $3,823–$4,824 |
| Deposit Required | Up to 33% |
| Moving APT | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | B |
| Sample Quote | $3,566–$6,266 |
| Deposit Required | Varies between partners |
| JK Moving Services | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | $5,600–$6,622 |
| Deposit Required | $250 up-front |
| North American Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | $4,700–$5,540 |
| Deposit Required | None |
| Allied Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | $5,442 – $6,312 |
| Deposit Required | None |
| United Van Lines | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
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| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | Call for quote |
| Deposit Required | None |
| Mayflower | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Star Rating | |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Sample Quote | $3,500–$4,500 |
| Deposit Required | None |
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Sample Quote | Deposit Required | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | $2,519–$4,306 | 25% | VISIT SITE | ||
| A | $4,544 | Up to 50% up-front | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $4,000–$5,000 | Up to 40% | VISIT SITE | ||
| B | $3,823–$4,824 | Up to 33% | VISIT SITE | ||
| B | $3,566–$6,266 | Varies between partners | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $5,600–$6,622 | $250 up-front | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $5,442 – $6,312 | None | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $4,700–$5,540 | None | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $3,256–$4,679 | None | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | $3,500–$4,500 | None | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | Call for quote | None | VISIT SITE |
Note: Sample quotes are for a 2-bedroom move from Portland, Oregon, to San Francisco.
Note: BBB ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Why Should You Read the Fine Print in a Moving Contract?
Understanding your moving contract ensures a smooth and positive moving experience. You should retain copies of your contract and estimate for reference after securing your move. The moving industry employs specific terminology that may be unfamiliar to many. Being well-versed in what to look for within your move contract is crucial.
Distinguishing between carriers and brokers is fundamental. Carriers are movers who directly oversee their moves, utilizing their fleet of trucks and staff to execute relocations. Brokers facilitate moves by subcontracting them to third-party carriers. The services available to you often hinge on the network of partners a broker has in your vicinity. American Van Lines operates legally as a moving carrier, meaning you get more simple and direct communication with the company.
The distinction between binding and nonbinding estimates significantly affects your moving costs. Nonbinding estimates, typically provided over the phone or through online quotes, are subject to change based on market fluctuations between the time of the quote and the actual moving date.
Binding estimates offer a fixed price that remains unchanged unless alterations are made to your inventory or service requirements between the initial quote and moving day. Generally, securing a binding quote necessitates an in-person consultation or a video call estimate. It’s imperative to scrutinize the language within your contract and estimate to avoid unexpected fees or inflated rates.
Should I Book My Move With American Van Lines?
American Van Lines is a great option for those looking for a long-distance mover. The company is widely available, offers storage options, and employs background-checked experts for its specialty services. Its flat-rate, binding estimates also ensure no surprise expenses on moving day.
However, American Van Lines is often more expensive than its competitors, requiring 10%–50% deposits, depending on the size of your move. Additionally, some customers have complained about communication difficulties. If these are issues for you, you should consider another moving company.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three other moving companies before committing to one provider. Consider your specific requirements before making a choice. This approach helps ensure you book the best mover to meet your needs.
FAQ About American Van Lines
Is American Van Lines legit?
American Van Lines is a legitimate, licensed moving company that has been in business since 1967. Its MC number is 294798, and its USDOT number is 614506. The company has also won several awards for outstanding customer service.
Where is American Van Lines based?
American Van Lines is based in Pompano Beach, Florida. However, it’s a full-service moving company specializing in long-distance moves and offers services across the U.S. Remember that American Van Lines is limited in its ability to handle local moves. The company may outsource your relocation if it is less than 50 miles away and not located in North Carolina, South Florida, or the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Is American Van Lines expensive?
American Van Lines is a bit more expensive than similar providers. The company estimates that moving a three-bedroom home (roughly 10,000 pounds) from Houston to Chicago costs around $7,095.
Can American Van Lines disassemble my bed?
Yes. American Van Lines will disassemble and reassemble many types of furniture, including beds.
Our Rating Methodology
We’re committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. We’ve researched moving companies for hundreds of hours, including deep-diving into each company’s website. We obtained contents protection plan information through their websites or by calling and interviewing customer service representatives. We analyzed each mover’s service options and compared them with industry standards. We also underwent a sample quote process with each company to get an accurate idea of each provider’s pricing.
We ensured each provider followed standard moving procedures, such as offering detailed, binding estimates, and checked whether the companies were licensed and insured through the FMCSA. We analyzed recent customer reviews through popular review sites such as the BBB, Yelp, and Google Reviews to gain further insight into what it’s like to interact with each provider’s customer service staff and movers.
We cross-checked all of our findings through surveys with thousands of moving customers and interviews with experts in the industry. We also have another industry expert fact-check our articles. We then created a rating system for moving providers based on six factors:
- Moving Services (30%)
- Additional Services (29%)
- Insurance Coverage (8%)
- Scheduling (8%)
- Additional Benefits (13%)
- Customer Service (12%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
