Allied Van Lines Review: Costs and Customer Feedback
Here’s the bottom line: Allied Van Lines is among our top picks if you want to work with a full-service moving company that doesn’t subcontract to other moving companies. So does Allied Van Lines offer interstate moving services? You bet, whether it’s a local or cross-country move, Allied Van Lines services can handle the entire process. They also has an impressive reach for international moves to more than 130 countries.
Allied Van Lines is a great option if you prefer fixed pricing, need custom crating, and want a carrier that uses their own employees. However, you may want to consider a different mover if you need customer service department to guarantee your items will arrive on a specific day.
- 85+ Years of International moving experience
- Moving presence in over 130 countries around the world
- High standard of quality
93% of users select this mover
While the lion’s share of Allied’s reviews are positive, and many customers would work with the company again, they do have some negative reviews, mostly connected to lost or damaged items. We don’t think this should discourage you, though.
The company provides several insurance options, including its extra care protection plan, which covers matching sets and pairs of items, such as lamps, end tables, and other beloved household goods. They also offer a full range of local and long-distance moving services, including the typical full-service packages and flexible portable moving container solutions.
Before you can decide if they’re the right choice for your next move, you’ll need to take a look at our Allied Van Lines review to learn more about the company’s services and customers’ common pain points. At moveBuddha, we are committed to helping you pick the best moving company for your relocation.
Pros & cons of Allied Van Lines
- Our top pick for one of the best international moving services
- 24/7 shipment tracking tool
- Program for customers to donate unwanted items to the Salvation Army
- Portable storage containers similar to those offered by PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT
- “Instaquote” option doesn’t actually provide a quote (an Allied agent must call you back to give you a free quote)
- Customers have reported technical issues with the Allied claims process, especially with extra care protection coverage
- Can be more expensive than competitors
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Our Thoughts
- Our take: Allied Van Lines (USDOT#76235) is a valuable resource for people looking to relocate to or from all 50 states. It offers full-service moving and storage everywhere and can even help you relocate to more than 130 countries.
- According to online reviews, Allied Van Lines pricing can be quite high compared to competitors.
- Allied offers everything from packing supplies to crating and short- and long-term storage options.
- Customers report that moves with Allied Van Lines are quick and efficient, but many also report broken items.
- It isn’t possible to get a quote with Allied Van Lines instantly, but the quotes are accurate and it’s rare they have to pay more than the original quote, according to customer reviews.
Jump to the info you’re looking for:
- Allied Van Lines: Featured reviews
- Cost
- Services
- Alternatives
- How moving with Allied works
- Is Allied best for your move?
- FAQ
Allied Van Lines: Featured reviews
At moveBuddha, we’ve worked with dozens of customers who chose Allied Moving for their moves thanks to our Better Moves project. While some people had issues during their move, most customers had a good experience and would recommend Allied, especially because of their nationwide service area.
One of our Better Moves participants, Stephanie used Berger Allied, an agent of Allied Van Lines to move high-value family heirlooms from Austin, Texas to Los, Angeles. Here’s what she had to say in her Allied Moving review:
One Consumer Affairs reviewer, Steve, chose Allied because he was moving from Alaska to Montana, a route not all interstate moving services can accommodate (many professional movers don’t operate in Alaska or Hawaii).
Steve noted that the Allied movers arrived on time, packed his items quickly and efficiently, and got everything to his new home right on schedule. This was a difficult move for the reviewer, but he reports that despite the high Allied Van Lines cost, it was worth it to have assistance with his move,
Another Consumer Affairs reviewer, Lisa, chose Allied because she needed to move locally to the Chicago area. In her case, the quote from Allied actually came in under the competition. She felt that Allied maintained excellent customer service through the entirety of her move and would definitely use them again.
Neither of these customers experienced damaged items during their move, but many Allied Van Lines reviews mention it. Most customers, even those with damaged items, still rank Allied Van Lines highly. They just recommend purchasing additional insurance, especially if you plan to move high-value items.
How much does Allied Van Lines cost?
Allied Van Lines charges $50–$200 per hour for local moves, but long-distance moves are priced differently. The costs can vary dramatically depending on how far you need to go and how much stuff you have.
For example, a two- to three-bedroom home’s worth of belongings moved around 1,000 miles might cost around $4,300, while the same size move across 2,500 miles might cost $6,300. Moving the contents of a one-bedroom apartment 1,000 miles is generally about $3,500.
AVL has a convenient long-distance moving estimator tool you can use to set your budget, or you can consult our moving cost calculator.
Like any moving company, Allied’s costs depend on the scope of your move, including:
- The total weight of your belongings
- The distance your items need to travel
- The services you select
- The time of year
- Any additional insurance coverage you need
We’ve pulled some sample quotes to help you better gauge Allied Van Lines’ prices. However, we’d always encourage you to pull a quote –– it’s free and no-obligation –– so you can know if it’s within your budget. If you find a better price elsewhere, AVL may even be willing to negotiate with you.
| Move Distance | Move Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Within the same city | 2–3 bedrooms | $2,300 |
| 1,000 miles | 2–3 bedrooms | $4,300 |
| 2,500 miles | 2–3 bedrooms | $6,300 |
What services does Allied Van Lines offer?
Allied Van Lines offers a full range of competitive service options. We’ve broken them down so you can easily decide whether it’s the right fit for your moving needs. Allied Van Lines services include:
- Household moving: The Allied Personal Moving Plan program is customized specifically for the needs of each customer. Household moves include basic furniture disassembly and reassembly. For locations where a standard transport container is inaccessible, a smaller shuttle vehicle may be used.
- International moving: AVL has completed moves within 130 countries and offers the Allied International Advantage plan that includes GPS shipment tracking and a streamlined process for clearing customs. An assigned international move coordinator monitors the customs process for you. Allied also specializes in providing moving and storage options for those immigrating to the U.S. from abroad.
- Cross-country moving: In addition to local and interstate moves, Allied handles residential and commercial long-distance and cross-country moves in all U.S. states.
- Military moves: Allied specializes in military moves, assisting individuals and families with their relocation to their next duty station with their Personally Procured Moves (PPMs). Their ability to handle most international moves and their storage solutions make Allied a popular choice for people in the Armed Forces.
- Packing & loading: Allied can provide labor for packing your belongings and loading them on shipping or storage containers. Packers will often need to be scheduled a few days before your move date to ensure they have enough time to properly pack and organize your household goods.
- Corporate relocation: Allied Van Lines offers a wide variety of corporate moving packages with additional Allied Van Lines services like full-service packing or temporary storage units. Corporate options vary depending on the availability of local movers.
- Storage services: Temporary storage is available in transit, where the belongings remain in a trailer for up to 90 days. After 90 days, they offer long term storage options when necessary.
- Vehicle transportation: Cars, boats, and other vehicles can be safely transported, and the entire process is generally completed in three to seven days.
- Moving containers: Allied Express is a storage container unit option similar to those offered by PODS and U-Pack. The difference between Allied Express and its competitors is AVL’s containers include two to four professional movers to load and unload your belongings.
- Packing & supplies: Specialized supplies are available to transport specific items like mirrors and mattresses that can be large or bulky to move. You can purchase packing supplies like bubble wrap even if you don’t opt for packing services.
- Insurance coverage options: Like all full-service moving companies, Allied Van Lines services include basic liability coverage to partially reimburse you for any lost, damaged, or broken items. Basic liability protection will compensate you $0.60 per pound per item. You can also get more comprehensive protection plan for full-valuation coverage at an extra cost.
How does Allied Van Lines stack up against the competition?
Still not sure who to hire for your next move?
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rating
4.5 / 5
Licensed
Insured
Price
% of users select this mover |
% of users select this mover |
% of users select this mover |
% of users select this mover |
% of users select this mover |
The best way to make an informed decision is to compare your options. There are many reasons people choose Allied Van Lines for their local, long-distance, or cross-country moves over other moving companies like Safeway Moving and American Van Lines, two of our best long-distance moving companies. Allied Van Lines is owned by SIRVA, the same parent company that owns North American Van Lines, but that doesn’t make them one and the same.
Let’s see how Allied Van Lines compares against some of our other top-rated moving companies.
North American Van Lines
While North American Van Lines (NAVL) and Allied Van Lines cover the same service area and offer many of the same services, Allied Van Lines’ tenure in the moving industry is much more senior.
rating
4.25 / 5
89% of users select this mover
However, NAVL seems to maintain a more reliable reputation — as evidenced by customer reviews, including that of Better Moves Project participant Marcie’s moving experience, and its Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating sits much higher at an A+, while Allied Van Lines maintains only a B.
Both companies offer binding quote options, but NAVL requires an in-home estimate.
Allied Van Lines would be the better choice if you’re set on working with a provider that solely uses its own employees, but availability may be more limited as a result. NAVL will be an excellent option if you don’t mind subcontractors in exchange for more readily available movers.
Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving and Allied Van Lines both stand out in the moving industry for their commitments to giving back. Safeway Moving donates a portion of its profits to St. Jude’s Hospital every year, and Allied Van Lines donates unwanted items to the Salvation Army. If choosing a socially responsible moving company is important to you, don’t skip over that.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Both Safeway and Allied Van Lines offer full-service moving solutions for long-distance and interstate moves, including packing, loading, and transport. However, Safeway is a bit more competitive in the pricing category. If you’re able to find a more affordable quote elsewhere, it’ll match it. Allied Van Lines suggests they’re open to negotiating but they don’t have a direct price matching policy.
Safeway Moving might be a better fit if pricing is your biggest priority, whereas Allied Van Lines may be a better fit if you value communication and easy gps tracking for your items, as the moving company has a convenient 24/7 tracking tool.
American Van Lines
American Van Lines beats out Allied Van Lines in terms of cost –– pretty much every time. In addition to its frequent discounts for seniors and veterans, it uses flat-rate pricing that completely sidesteps any hidden fees.
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
However, it requires a 50% deposit at booking and Allied Van Lines does not. While a deposit isn’t a red flag at face value, many of the larger moving providers say it can be an indicator of unsavory business practices. We’re fans of Allied’s binding estimate process instead. With this option, you won’t pay anything upfront but you may end up overpaying if your services take less time than initially anticipated.
Allied Van Lines wins out for its moving services because it offers international moving services to all 50 states, whereas American Van Lines is restricted to the continental U.S. Not only that, but Allied offers portable moving containers, allowing customers to cut costs and handle parts of the moving process on their own.
We’d recommend American Van Lines for budget-conscious consumers moving within the lower 48 states, but we’d generally suggest Allied Van Lines to movers who want their pick of a wide variety of moving services.
International Van Lines
International Van Lines and Allied Van Lines are basically neck and neck in our ratings. They offer comparable services and similarly transparent pricing structures, plus they, too, donate to charities. International Van Lines donates directly to single mothers and other vulnerable populations to help level the playing field.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
That said, International Van Lines has relationships in more than 180 countries, which is a whopping 50 more than Allied Van Lines’ already impressive 130.
Allied Van Lines is a better choice for customers who prefer a user-friendly website with easy-to-find information; International Van Lines lacks in this department. International Van Lines can be a good choice if you’re a member of the military and need a PSC-approved moving company.
JK Moving Services
JK Moving Services is commonly regarded as a luxury provider because they offer white-glove moving services that can truly take the stress out of the moving process.
rating
4.25 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Because of this, JK Moving’s pricing can be higher than competitors like Allied Van Lines, but they offer financing options to offset this –– often at 0% interest through Enhancify if you qualify.
We’d recommend Allied Van Lines to customers who want to know exactly who they’re working with every time so they don’t have to worry about subcontractors. We’d recommend JK Moving to customers who may not have the cash upfront to pay for their entire move out of pocket, especially if they have specialty items, like a piano or pool table that might require extra care –– and costs.
Mayzlin Relocation
Like Allied Van Lines, Mayzlin Relocation operates solely as a carrier, which means that every time you book moving services, you’re hiring employees hired and trained to uphold Mayzlin’s best practices.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
While Allied Van Lines boasts one of the longest operating tenures in the entire moving industry, Mayzlin is a relative newcomer and, as a result, much less known. Despite its newer status, it’s a family-owned and operated business, and they have 24/7 customer service department to address questions as they come up. Allied Van Lines offers this same availability, but they might not be able to quickly resolve issues, as indicated by reviews citing slow claims processes.
Mayzlin really shines for its cancellation policy. While the company requires a 25% deposit upfront, you can receive every dollar back if you cancel within seven days of your move. That’s substantially more flexible than other moving companies that often charge cancellation fees.
We’d recommend Allied Van Lines to customers moving outside the lower 48 states, but we’d recommend Mayzlin Relocation to customers who may have last-minute changes of plans and need a flexible cancellation policy.
Take a look at the table below to quickly compare our best moving companies’ reputations, availability, and service models.
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Deposit requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Van Lines | B | 50 | None |
| North American Van Lines | A+ | 50 | Up to 50% |
| Safeway Moving | A+ | 48 | Up to 40% |
| American Van Lines | A+ | 48 | Up to 50% |
| International Van Lines | A | 50 | 25% |
| JK Moving Services | A+ | 50 | $250 |
| Mayzlin Relocation | A | 48 | 25% |
How moving with Allied Van Lines works
Allied claims that its customer service works as hard as possible to customize your move to suit your exact needs. Let’s take a quick glance at what moving with Allied Van Lines looks like.
Getting a quote
The Allied Van Lines website has a free quote tool, but it isn’t instant. You will put in your phone number and a sales rep will call you to give you an estimate.
Allied specializes in moving packages, meaning every move booked with them is tailored and unique. This is one of the reasons they do not provide instant quotes on their website.
If you live in an area with an Allied Van Lines sales rep, they may need to come to your home in order to provide a binding quote. Otherwise, an agent can schedule a virtual survey of your home to give you a fixed price that won’t change on moving day.
Once you sign your quote, your move is booked. Most customers report that the binding quote is the accurate price for the move and it is rare that customers end up paying more upon completing their move.
You don’t have to put down a deposit when you hire Allied Van Lines.
Moving with Allied Van Lines
Allied Van Lines will arrive to pack your belongings on the day before your move. If you are packing your own things, the truck will arrive on your moving day with a team ready to load your belongings. They will catalog all your items as they are loaded to ensure nothing gets lost.
Once everything is loaded, your items will begin their journey to your new home. Depending on your storage needs, they will head to your new home directly or go to a temporary storage facility. While your truck is in transit, you will be able to track your items on their tracking app anytime of the day or night.
When the delivery day comes, your truck will arrive at your new home and all items will be recorded as they are offloaded, ensuring you receive everything which was put on the truck at your old home. If you booked unpacking services, the moving team will help you unpack.
Most customers who move with Allied Van Lines report that their items arrived early or on time, but Allied does not have a specific delivery date guarantee. Some customers reported working with the same team for the entire move, but those who used the short-term storage options often had different teams helping them load and unload their belongings.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Should you use Allied Van Lines to move?
Allied Van Lines is only one of the best long-distance moving companies we love, and we recognize that it’s not the perfect fit for all moves. Consider the following before deciding if you should use Allied Van Lines for your move.
Use Allied Van Lines if:
- You feel more comfortable with a carrier that uses its own employees
- You’re interested in a moving container
- You prefer a binding quote
- You need custom crating for specialty items
Don’t use Allied Van Lines if:
- You need a delivery date guarantee
- You’re nervous about broken or damaged items
- You want an online quote you can check instantly
FAQ
Does Allied Van Lines serve all 50 states?
Allied Van Lines is one of the few moving companies which can help with your move to Alaska or Hawaii. They even have local offices, so an agent can come out in person to give a quote in most of the major cities. In Hawaii, Allied Van Lines can help with both local moves, and shipping items to the mainland.
Are Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines the same company?
No, Allied Van Lines and North American Van Lines are not the same company. They are both owned by Sirva but maintain separate fleets.
What is considered a long-distance move?
A long-distance move is a move that spans more than 400 miles. But moving 200 miles can also feel like a long-distance move and you may want to look at a long-haul moving company for any move over 200 miles.
Is Allied Van Lines a broker?
No, Allied Van Lines is not a broker. The company acts as a carrier, meaning you will deal directly with the company for the entirety of your move, not a third-party provider. However, when it comes to international moves, Allied may partner with another moving company to help complete your relocation.
Is Allied Van Lines legit?
Yes, Allied Van Lines is legit. It’s been in business since 1928 and maintains Better Business accreditation and a B rating. It also holds all relevant Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration credentials and its USDOT number is readily displayed on its website. However, some the worst moving companies out there tend to give their services similar names as reputable ones, so it’s always important to check their accreditations and credentials.
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