Your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Lender: 5 Things You Must Know About Moving Companies

When its time to move to your new home at the Lake of the Ozarks, you want to make sure your stuff is in good hands. Before hiring the first moving company you can find, be sure to check them out. Kiplinger.com has a great list of things you should consider and check out before hiring someone to move your stuff.

1. Beware of Crooks.

The Better Business Bureau received more than 9,300 complaints about movers in the U.S. in 2013. One of the most common complaints was a bait-and-switch tactic. The mover would quote a specific price and then hold your possessions hostage unless you paid some unexpected fee.

2. Get Everything in Writing.

Before hiring a mover, you should get estimates from at least three different companies and be skeptical if one is much lower than the others. Movers should offer to visit your home in order to assess the job. The cost for an instate move is typically dependent on the number of hours it will take. If you're moving across state, the weight and distance will most likely be used to calculate the cost. Be wary if the mover is not interested in details, requires a large deposit or accepts cash only, which leaves no record of a transaction.

3. Check Out Their Reputation

Don't rely entirely on word of mouth. Start by going to the Better Business Bureau's website to see if any complaints have been made against them and if they have been resolved. If you are moving to a different state, your mover should be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). You can go to www.protectyourmove.gov to search for movers registered with the Department of Transportation or use www.moving.org to get quotes from companies that have passed the American Moving and Storage Association's background checks and licensing and insurance requirements.

4. Update Your Insurance Coverage.

Call your homeowners or renters insurance provider to see whether your policy covers your belongings while they're in transit. You'll most likely find that your policy covers the same things it would if your items were in your home. For example, if the truck bursts into flames, your policy may reimburse you. However, if your items are broken or damaged by the mover, you probably won't be covered. Interstate movers are required to offer two kinds of supplementary liability insurance. These include released value coverage at no extra cost which ensures you a rate of 60 cents per pound or you can purchase full value insurance which will cover the repairs or replacement of the damaged items. You have 9 months to file a claim if you discover something is broken or scratched while unpacking.

5. Call for Help.

If a mover is holding your stuff hostage, call the FMCSA at 888-368-7238. For any other type of complaint, you can contact the National Consumer Complaint Database of the FMCSA. To find local consumer protection offices go to www.protectyourmove.gov.

If you're planning a future move to the Lake, I'm here to help with all your Lake of the Ozarks home loan needs. When it comes to your financing needs, I'm committed to working with you every step of the way. As your Lake of the Ozarks mortgage lender, I'll discuss financing options, offer competitive interest rates and back it up with the FIRST Class Service you deserve. Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!

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