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International Van Lines (IVL) is one of the largest moving companies in the United States. The company provides full-service options such as packing and loading for local, long-distance and international moves. But does the licensed and insured moving carrier and broker meet your specific moving needs and budget? Student Storage
The Guides Home Team has researched the best moving companies in the nation, and we understand what makes a mover good. We identified International Van Lines as an ideal option for movers seeking a reliable insurance plan. Learn if IVL fulfills your moving needs with our review that explains costs and services.
International Van Lines started in 2000 as an international moving and logistics company. In 2004, the company began providing local moving services. The company now has more than 200 employees and offers full-service moves all across the United States for both local moves and interstate moves . IVL offers its services in all 50 states and in 180 countries across the globe.
IVL offers a wide selection of services for full-service and partial-service moves. The company lets you mix and match its service options to create a custom moving package that fits your moving needs and budget. For example, if you want to save money, you may opt to self-pack and unpack while paying IVL for professional loading, transportation and unloading services.
Below are some of the special services International Van Lines offers.
IVL provides specialty services for moving difficult items, such as pianos, antiques, valuable artwork and recreational equipment like Pelotons. This service includes the disassembly and reassembly of complex furniture, as well as proper crating of these items so they are securely transported on the moving truck.
Be sure to mention any challenging items you own to an International Van Lines representative to have specialty services added to your moving package.
International Van Lines is our top pick for insurance plans due to its customizable contents protection plans with adjustable coverage caps.
IVL offers an All Risk Insurance plan that covers the declared value of your belongings. This option comes with either a $500 or $1,000 deductible and covers up to $250,000. For example, if you want to cover a $70,000 shipment with a $500 deductible, it would cost $981. The company also provides this coverage on international moves and meets all requirements of the Federal Maritime Commission.
If you decide to opt out of an additional paid contents protection plan, you will receive limited liability coverage, which is mandated by law. This plan is included in your moving package, but it only covers each item at $0.60 per pound. This is less than ideal if you are shipping expensive electronics or other lightweight but valuable items.
Speak with your IVL representative to determine the right amount of coverage for your household goods.
If you need to transport a boat, recreational vehicle (RV), ATV, car or SUV, IVL provides vehicle relocation services. The company offers both enclosed and open trailers. It also provides 24/7 customer support and GPS tracking on your vehicle.
Depending on the service area, IVL may supply its own trucks or contract a partner company for door-to-door auto shipping services.
International Van Lines provides ample packing and moving supplies to make your move even more convenient. In addition to individual boxes and supplies, the company provides moving kits.
One notable kit is its Basic Moving Boxes Kit #4 for $193, which includes:
The company also features a build-your-own kit option, so you can tailor the boxes and supplies to your needs.
IVL calculates its moving costs based on factors such as the weight of your belongings, the services you purchase, the contents protection plan you create, your moving date and delivery date and the overall distance of your move.
International Van Lines features positive customer review scores across popular reviews sites, such as TrustPilot, Yelp and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company currently holds a B rating on the BBB with an accreditation.*
IVL acts as both a carrier and a broker , pairing some customers with partners within its network. The company’s negative reviews point out the difficulties of working with some of IVL’s partner companies, including difficulties in communication and changes in the quoted price. We reached out to International Van Lines for a comment on these common complaints but received no response. To help you anticipate or avoid these challenges, make sure you ask your International Van Lines representative whether the company will perform the move with its own workers and vehicle or contract a partner.
Read over some experiences customers had with IVL below.
“Brilliant company! The movers came on time and were so friendly and efficient. They made a move so much easier. An excellent and competent job of moving a piano for me; very pleased. Would definitely use this company again!” -Johann via BBB
“They’re reasonably priced. They show up on time and are detail-oriented. They take precautions to make sure your stuff is not damaged. They provide boxes to help you pack some items if you ask. They’re great. Recommended.” -Aaron via BBB
“I was given a window of 8 a.m.–12 p.m. the evening before the move. The day of the move rolls around and I don’t hear anything from the movers. I try to contact IVL but get no response. I get a call from the movers around 12:30 and they show up around 2 p.m. They then proceed to quote me $2,000 more than my initial estimate. Obviously, I am stuck at that point and they pack and load up my belongings onto their truck.” -Stephanie C. via BBB
“Hired a [third-party] mover, Cosmos Transport or MAP, but [they] didn’t tell me until after they got their greedy hands on the deposit. Was told the driver would arrive for pick-up on the “backup” date between 2 and 5. He didn’t arrive until the following morning. Called IVL and no response or apology. The driver was surprised that it was a full pack and hired some goofs from Craigslist to pack our belongings. He charged me more than $2,000 more than what IVL said they would.” -LR G. via BBB
*BBB information accurate as of September 2022
We have conducted in-depth research on the top domestic and international moving companies in the industry. We find that International Van Lines sits near the top of professional moving services. If it doesn’t tick every box for you, you may want to check out some of its competitors below.
If you want comprehensive insurance coverage on your items, we recommend International Van Lines. Its top-tier insurance option allows you to be fully compensated for the value of any damaged items. This makes IVL a great pick for those with expensive electronics or delicate dishware.
The company is also a great choice if you want almost every part of your move handled for you. You create your own moving package with IVL based on your needs and budget from a wide selection of full-service options. All of these options are backed by IVL’s award-winning 24/7 customer service and extensive online resources.
IVL’s nationwide network of partnered companies allows it to supply you full-service moves anywhere in the United States as a moving broker, but this might lead to confusion about pricing and difficulty in communication. Ask if your move will be conducted by a partner and do some research on that company before signing on the dotted line.
The Guides Home Team has researched the best moving companies in the nation, and we understand what makes a mover good. We identified International Van Lines as an ideal option for movers seeking a reliable insurance plan.
According to the IVL website, the company offers long-term storage for long distance and international moves. Your items would be stored at the place of origin and then delivered upon request.
International Van Lines made it onto our list for the best interstate moving companies , but the best moving company will depend on your individual needs. All reputable companies will be insured, bonded and licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and licensed interstate movers will have a USDOT number. The best moving companies will provide you with a detailed estimate (after a survey), offer multiple contents protection plans and employ background-checked workers.
Yes, it is. This means that IVL works with partner companies to provide moving services in areas that it is not licensed to be a carrier. Though you receive services from a reputable company, this may lead to some difficulty in communication with the actual company conducting your move.
Prices for a full-service move vary widely based on the size and distance of your move. While local moves will typically be billed at a rate of $80–$100 per hour per mover, long-distance moves will be based on weight and mileage. These price ranges start around $2,000 and can be as much as $12,000. International Van Lines’ pricing is within the industry-standard range for a full-service mover.
IVL may place an extra fee called a long carry fee on your bill if your movers have to carry your items for a long distance between the truck and your home. It charges an additional $75 per every 75 feet.
Learn more about your home services options in our top reviews to see how you can keep your peace of mind.
Our team created a comprehensive moving company methodology based on industry standards and customer experience to rank moving companies. We called each moving company to speak with representatives, simulated the quote process online and over the phone as applicable, reviewed each company’s contents protection (insurance) plans, and examined customer reviews for each provider. Based on a 100-point scale, we gave each provider a score out of five stars. We used ten key factors to score providers including moving services, additional services, payment process, contents protection plans, scheduling process, trailer and container sizes, additional benefits, state availability, reputation and type of mover.
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