Moving is a strenuous, physically demanding process that senior citizens can have difficulty managing. What’s worse, for those whose families cannot lend a hand, undertaking a full relocation can be impossible. If you or a family member are getting on in years and cannot undertake a full relocation, the help of professional movers may be necessary. Thankfully, plenty of full-service moving companies offer generous moving discounts for senior citizens. In this article, we’ll go over the best moving companies that offer these discounts, analyze them, and discuss some of the benefits each company offers.
International Van Lines
4.5
Our Rating
In the moving industry, it’s hard to compete with International Van Lines (IVL). The company operates in all 50 states and 180 countries as a broker and carrier, meaning that if your move takes you outside its service area, its team works with partnered movers to handle the relocation. IVL offers customizable services to tailor moving processes to fit you or your loved one’s needs, including full-service moving, packing, and unpacking. Combine this with a generous 15% discount for senior citizens and one month of free storage for all moves, and IVL stands shoulders above other moving companies.
We mainly like International Van Lines because of its proven track record of exceptional customer service. Throughout our research, it was clear that IVL’s customer care and service are some of the best in the industry. Furthermore, we like that its discount rate is above average, as most companies only offer around or just below 10%, with IVL offering nearly twice that.
There are only two downsides to IVL.
- One, its total cost and upfront fees are higher than the industry average.
- And two, since it’s a brokerage company, there is a chance that you’ll have to work with another moving company hired through IVL.
- In these situations, while IVL does vet its partners, your service may vary depending on what company IVL assigns to you.
Allied Van Lines
4.2
Our Rating
Allied Van Lines (AVL) is one of the best companies in service options and pricing models. With over 90 years of moving experience in the shipping industry, Allied Van Lines has the experience and skills necessary to handle complex and delicate relocations.
The company offers full-service moves, including options for:
- Packing and unpacking household goods
- Driving the moving truck
- Local, long-distance, and international moving
- Furniture assemble and disassembly
- Storage options
- Downsizing, debris, and junk removal
- Packing supplies
- Free quotes
- One of the biggest advantages of Allied is its impressive vehicle transportation practices. Its team can haul most vehicles, from cars to SUVs, camping trailers, and boats.
- Second, it doesn’t outsource vehicle shipping, meaning you won’t have to worry about other companies handling your car while it’s being transported.
- The only downside to AVL is that its senior discount rates are discretionary and determined on a case-by-case basis. On average, you can expect a discount ranging anywhere between 5%-15%.
North American Van Lines
4.0
Our Rating
When it comes to the highest discount rates for seniors, North American Van Lines (NAVL) beats out the competition by leaps and bounds.
It offers discounts ranging from 40%-65% for customers who are members of the Senior Citizens League. As for its credentials, NAVL is a well-trusted broker and carrier that operates in all 50 states and over 130 countries. It offers full-service moving, or select services, allowing customers to tailor their moves to suit their needs.
- NAVL specializes in long-distance, cross-state moves but is more than capable of providing local, senior moving services.
- Overall, it’s a reliable, trustworthy company capable of providing comprehensive, catered services.
Moving APT
3.9
Our Rating
Founded in 1988, Moving ATP has grown from a local company with only two trucks to a national moving powerhouse. Currently, it services over half a million customers throughout all 50 states. It boasts a network of over 500 local partnered agencies across the U.S.
This network allows it to match you with your area’s highest quality but most affordable, professional movers. It has a strong reputation for good customer care and highly positive reviews online, providing quality service and peace of mind. Moving ATP has a solid price matching guarantee and is willing to do the legwork for you to find the most affordable moving options for long-distance or local moves.
It offers the widest assortment of discounts, not only for senior citizens but also for:
- Military service members
- Veterans
- Short distance moves
- Early reservations
- And customers with disabilities
The only downside is that discount rates are not listed on its website, requiring customers to speak with an associate to learn more about applicable discounts.
1-800-PACK-RAT
3.7
Our Rating
If you need to cut moving costs further and can do some lifting, you might want to consider a container company. These companies deliver specially designed cargo containers to your family home on moving day. After you load the container, the company returns and ships it to your new home. If you have to wait until you move in, these companies also double as storage services, allowing you to store your cargo with them until move-in day.
Finally, once you unpack the container, they return for pick up. These companies are typically cheaper than a full-service mover, but with the catch of not offering packing services. Read our full review of 1-800-Pack-Rat here.
1-800-PACK-RAT offers affordable cargo transportation options and a generous 10% off for senior citizens. Unfortunately, 1-800-PACK-RAT has more limited availability than other entries in this article, only operating out of 30 states, with options for both local and long-distance moves. Its reputation and online reviews are either on par with industry average or just above average, making it a solid choice.
Helpful Tips
Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t forget, when trying to get the best price possible, always obtain multiple free moving quotes from every relocation service you’re considering. You should always make your final decision after competitively comparing them.
Coordinate With Assisted Living Facilities
Moving into assisted or senior living communities during peak hours (such as during lunch or activity time) can massively stall moving services. This delay can compound if there are choke points like elevators or stairs, turning a two-hour move into an all-day affair. Since the majority of moving companies charge by the hour, this can bloat a move’s price tag. To keep moving bills as low as possible, always coordinate moving dates and times with the assisted living facility, especially if you use a service like United Van Lines.
Connect with Senior Aid Organizations
Organizations like the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) can connect you with your area’s best service providers if you’re relocating a senior family member. This organization can help you find senior moving specialists and assist you in managing your family member’s move while providing valuable resources and information.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are numerous trustworthy moving companies with veteran discount offers. If you’re interested in saving the most money possible, you can use a company like 1-800-PACK-RAT for its lower costs or North American Van Lines’ tremendously high discount rates. However, if you’re looking for a full, stress-free service, you can’t go wrong with companies like International Van Lines or Allied Van Lines. Both companies offer comprehensive services for local and international moves, with impressive customer reviews.
Finally, we encourage you to read our comprehensive guide on home warranties for senior citizens, which can provide further assurance and insights if you are considering a home warranty plan as a senior citizen.
