SIRVA Company Review
Here’s the bottom line: SIRVA is an Illinois-based relocation holding company that owns Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and Global Van Lines, and it manages employee relocations from 77 locations serving 190+ countries. Most people deal with SIRVA through an employer’s relocation package rather than booking a move directly. This SIRVA company review covers its brands, services, customer feedback, and how it compares to our picks for the best interstate moving companies.
Pros & cons of SIRVA
- Owns Allied & North American Van Lines
- Serves 190+ countries
- Relocation, mortgage & immigration help
- Concierge service for private clients
- Built mainly for corporate clients
- 1-star average on BBB reviews
- Claims often go through third parties
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the SIRVA info you’re looking for:
What is SIRVA?
SIRVA is a global mobility company that manages moves and relocations for corporations, government agencies, and private clients. It formed in 1998 – 1999, when Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines merged, and took the SIRVA name in 2002.
SIRVA quick facts:
- Headquarters: SIRVA is based in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. It merged with relocation firm BGRS in 2022 and operated as SIRVA BGRS before returning to the Sirva name.
- Scale: SIRVA runs 77 locations serving 190+ countries and territories. It says it handles 80,000+ international moves a year for 2,500+ clients.
- Ownership: SIRVA is privately owned. In August 2024, a lender group led by credit funds managed by KKR Credit Advisors took ownership in a recapitalization.
- Leadership: Carlyn Taylor has served as CEO since February 2025. She succeeded Tom Oberdorf, who led SIRVA for seven years.
What brands does SIRVA own?
SIRVA owns several moving and relocation brands, and most consumers know those brands better than SIRVA itself:
- Allied Van Lines: Allied has moved households since 1928. Its network includes more than 1,000 representatives in 130+ countries.
- North American Van Lines: North American has operated since 1933. It runs moves through 500+ agent locations nationwide.
- Global Van Lines: Global Van Lines is a third van line in the SIRVA family. SIRVA lists it alongside Allied and North American in its moving brands.
- Alliance Relocation Services: Alliance provides specialty moving services to 20,000+ families a year across the U.S. and Canada. Its services include crating, appliance and electronics service, piano moving, and auto transport.
- Sirva Mortgage: Sirva Mortgage offers home loans to relocating employees. It’s part of SIRVA’s corporate relocation services.
SIRVA previously owned the portable container brand SMARTBOX, but SIRVA no longer lists SMARTBOX among its brands as of 2026.
Can you book a move directly with SIRVA?
Most people book a SIRVA move through one of its van lines, not through SIRVA itself. Allied and North American operate independently and compete with each other, so get a quote from each and compare them.
For private clients, SIRVA launched Signature Moves in May 2026. This premium concierge service assigns one point of contact to coordinate white-glove moving, visas and immigration, temporary housing, downsizing, home setup, and tax advice. Pricing depends on the complexity of your move, and you request a consultation by phone, email, or online form.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and services together, so you get a price range for your actual move to measure an Allied or North American quote against.
What corporate relocation services does SIRVA offer?
SIRVA manages relocations for employers, so its corporate services go well beyond moving and storage. If your employer offers a corporate relocation package, SIRVA may coordinate some or all of these services:
- Household goods moves: SIRVA books your move with Allied, North American, Global, or another carrier in its network. Your relocation policy sets what’s covered.
- Home sale & purchase help: SIRVA coordinates real estate support for transferees, including home sale programs. Read your contract of sale carefully before you sign.
- Mortgages: Sirva Mortgage offers home loans for relocating employees. Compare its rate with at least one outside lender.
- Visa & immigration: SIRVA helps international transferees with visas, immigration, and customs. It serves 190+ countries and territories.
- Temporary housing: SIRVA arranges short-term housing while you look for a permanent home. Ask how many days your policy covers.
- Specialty services: Alliance handles crating, appliance disconnection, and electronics setup. Alliance works with major movers and relocation companies across the U.S. and Canada.
What do customers say about SIRVA?
SIRVA’s BBB profile shows an A+ rating and accreditation since 1984, but its customer reviews average 1 out of 5 stars across 12 reviews as of September 2026. BBB lists 31 complaints from the past three years, mostly about service problems and delivery issues.
Many complaints come from transferees whose employer chose SIRVA. Common themes include damage claims handed off to third-party adjusters, slow reimbursement, and conflicting answers about relocation policy.
“Different SIRVA representatives have given us conflicting explanations about what rules apply, which documents control, and what processes SIRVA is required or not required to follow.”
—Holly R., BBB
“Its like trying to amputate an arm and a leg when you try to get reimbursed for the expenses you take on while moving from one location to another.”
—Ahmed M., Google
Pro tip: Photograph your belongings before pickup and ask SIRVA in writing which company handles damage claims on your move. Our guide explains how to file a damage claim after a move.
Who should use SIRVA?
SIRVA is a natural fit for businesses relocating employees and for private clients who want one company managing a complex move.
- Employers: SIRVA manages relocation programs, mortgages, immigration, and temporary housing in one place. That reduces the number of vendors HR teams juggle.
- International movers: SIRVA’s network serves 190+ countries and territories. It also helps with visas and customs paperwork.
- High-end private moves: Signature Moves adds a dedicated concierge, white-glove packing, and home setup. Expect to pay a premium for that level of service.
If you’re planning a standard household move on your own, request quotes from Allied, North American, and at least one direct carrier instead.
How does SIRVA compare to other movers?
SIRVA’s van lines book moves through independent agents, while direct carriers perform moves with their own crews and trucks. moveBuddha scores movers across 72 data points covering reputation, licensing, pricing transparency, and customer service. Both movers below are moveBuddha Certified, which adds $1,000 in move coverage and dispute mediation.
SIRVA vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving quotes every interstate move at a flat, binding price and includes 30 days of free storage on interstate moves. Safeway performs its own moves, while SIRVA’s van lines assign moves to local agents.
SIRVA offers relocation services Safeway doesn’t, like mortgages and immigration help. For a standard household move you’re paying for yourself, compare a Safeway quote against Allied and North American.
rating
4.9 / 5
SIRVA vs. American Van Lines
American Van Lines (AVL) has operated as a direct carrier since 1995, with its own crews, trucks, and three company-owned storage locations. AVL offers binding or non-binding estimates on long-distance moves and says it will meet or beat any legitimate long-distance offer from a comparable carrier.
AVL currently holds a C rating from the BBB, so read recent reviews before you book. Choose AVL for a price match on a domestic move, or SIRVA for an international or employer-managed relocation.
rating
4.9 / 5
FAQ
Is SIRVA a moving company?
SIRVA is a relocation holding company that owns moving brands. Its van lines include Allied Van Lines, North American Van Lines, and Global Van Lines. SIRVA itself mostly manages corporate relocations.
Who owns SIRVA?
A lender group led by credit funds managed by KKR Credit Advisors has owned SIRVA since August 2024. The group also includes Evolution Credit Partners, BlackRock, and Indaba Capital Management. SIRVA remains privately held.
Does SIRVA own Allied & North American Van Lines?
Yes, SIRVA owns both Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines. The two van lines operate independently and compete for customers. Get a quote from each to compare prices.
Why is my employer using SIRVA for my move?
Many employers hire SIRVA to manage employee relocations. SIRVA coordinates your move, temporary housing, and home sale help under your employer’s relocation policy. Ask your HR team for a copy of that policy.
How do I file a damage claim on a SIRVA move?
File your claim with the company listed on your bill of lading, and send a copy to your SIRVA contact. Federal rules give you nine months from delivery to file an interstate claim. Intrastate moves follow state rules and the agent’s own guidelines.
Can I hire SIRVA for a personal move?
Yes, SIRVA offers Signature Moves, a premium concierge service for private clients. Pricing depends on your move, and you request a consultation first. For a standard move, contact Allied or North American directly.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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