Allied Van Lines: Corporate, Government, & Global Relocations

Company Overview

Allied Van Lines is a full-service packing, moving, storage, and logistics provider serving residential, commercial, and corporate clients. Founded in 1928, they operate through a nationwide and international network of independently owned agents, offering local, long-distance, and international relocations alongside packing, storage, vehicle transport, and specialty item services. Their approach centers on standardized planning and coordination, with services such as in-home or virtual estimates, flexible packing options, shipment tracking, and international move support that includes customs coordination. Since becoming part of SIRVA Worldwide in 1998, they have operated within a broader global relocation network while maintaining their agent-based structure. In the industry, they are widely recognized as an established provider, hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and maintain affiliations with organizations such as the American Trucking Associations Moving and Storage Conference, with public perception often viewing them as a reliable option for complex or large-scale moves.

Features & Services

Residential moving services

• Local and long-distance household moves: They manage intrastate and interstate relocations using coordinated planning and a nationwide agent network
• International household relocations: They handle overseas moves with customs coordination and international partner support for end-to-end delivery
• Professional packing services: They offer full-service and partial packing as well as unpacking performed by trained crews using standardized materials
• Specialty item handling: They transport items such as pianos, antiques, artwork, and large appliances using specialized equipment and handling protocols
• Vehicle shipping: They arrange domestic and international transport for cars and motorcycles as part of a broader relocation plan
• Short-term and long-term storage: They provide warehouse-based storage through agent-operated facilities for flexible move timelines

Corporate and government solutions

• Corporate relocation services: They support employee moves with structured processes designed to reduce downtime and simplify employer coordination
• Government and military moves: They operate programs that comply with federal and military relocation requirements, including PCS move standards
• Office and commercial moves: They manage business relocations involving furniture, equipment, and records with continuity-focused logistics planning

Planning, tracking, and protection options

• In-home and virtual estimates: They conduct visual surveys in person or remotely to produce detailed and accurate moving quotes
• Shipment tracking tools: They provide tracking options that allow customers to monitor long-distance shipments during transit
• Valuation coverage options: They offer multiple levels of shipment protection to help manage financial risk during a move
• Dedicated move coordination: They assign move coordinators to assist with scheduling, documentation, and service selection

Costs, Fees, & Pricing Models

Allied Van Lines uses a quote-based pricing model rather than published flat rates. Customers book a move by requesting an in-home or virtual estimate, which allows them to review shipment size, distance, required services, and scheduling needs. Final pricing varies based on move distance, shipment weight or volume, packing services, storage needs, specialty items, and seasonal demand.

What affects the total cost

• Move distance and shipment size: Long-distance and international moves are typically priced by weight and mileage
• Packing and labor needs: Full or partial packing, unpacking, and labor complexity can increase costs
• Storage requirements: Short-term or long-term storage adds separate warehouse fees
• Special services: Vehicle transport, custom crating, and high-value item handling are priced as add-ons

They do not promote financing options on their website, and payment is generally required before delivery, though timing can vary by agent. Based on research done, it can be inferred that installment or payment plan options are not commonly offered.

Included services and upsells

• Common inclusions: Loading, transportation, standard furniture disassembly, and basic liability coverage
• Optional upsells: Packing services, unpacking, storage, vehicle shipping, specialty crating, and higher valuation coverage

Accepted payment methods are not clearly listed on the company’s website. Through our research, we have found that most agents accept major credit cards and certified funds, while cash acceptance may vary by location. Customers should review estimates carefully, as additional fees may apply for stair carries, long carries, shuttle services, bulky items, or changes made after the estimate is issued.

Advantages

• Extensive global agent infrastructure: They operate one of the largest and most established agent networks in the moving industry, enabling coordinated interstate and international moves that smaller or regional movers struggle to support
• Built-for-scale logistics model: Their systems and equipment are designed to handle large-volume household shipments and high-weight moves more efficiently than providers focused on smaller relocations
• Proven handling of multi-stage relocations: They are structured to manage moves involving storage-in-transit, shipment consolidation, and staggered deliveries, which is especially relevant for long-distance and cross-border moves
• Established government and military relocation programs: They support federal and military moves that require strict compliance, documentation accuracy, and scheduling discipline that not all movers are equipped to meet
• Integration within a global relocation organization: As part of SIRVA Worldwide, they have access to centralized relocation infrastructure, international coordination systems, and corporate mobility resources beyond standard household moving services
• Standardized operating procedures across agents: Their agent network follows centralized guidelines and processes, which helps reduce variability in documentation, packing standards, and shipment handling
• Capacity to support corporate and employer-sponsored moves: Their experience with corporate relocation programs allows them to align with employer timelines, reporting needs, and reimbursement structures
• End-to-end move coordination for complex timelines: They are structured to manage moves that involve delayed occupancy, temporary housing, or extended storage without requiring customers to coordinate multiple vendors

Disadvantages

• High dependence on independently operated agents: Because moves are executed by local agents rather than a single centralized workforce, service quality, communication, and execution can vary significantly depending on the assigned location
• Complex multi-handling shipment process: Their long-distance and interstate moves often involve storage-in-transit, consolidation, or truck transfers, which can increase the risk of delays, miscommunication, or item damage compared to single-truck moves
• Claims process tied to third-party or parent-company systems: Damage and loss claims are typically handled through centralized or affiliated claims channels, which some customers find slower and less flexible than working directly with a single local mover
• Pricing rigidity for smaller or simpler moves: Their operational scale and minimum load structures can make them a less cost-effective option for smaller households or straightforward moves that do not require complex logistics

Customer Experience

Customer feedback for Allied Van Lines is mixed across major review platforms, with ratings skewing lower due to a high volume of critical long-distance and agent-related experiences. On Trustpilot, Allied Van Lines holds an overall rating of around 1.2 out of 5, based on very few customer reviews. On Yelp, the overall rating is around 2 out of 5. Reviews frequently note that experiences vary significantly by location and agent, which impacts overall satisfaction scores.

Positive feedback

Customers who report positive experiences often highlight the professionalism and care shown by individual drivers and moving crews. Common praise includes careful handling of furniture, efficient packing and unloading, punctual deliveries, and clear communication from move coordinators. Several reviewers note that when the same crew handles both pickup and delivery, the process feels more organized and less stressful. Positive reviews also frequently mention accurate estimates, courteous staff, and smooth delivery experiences, particularly for shorter-distance moves or well-coordinated relocations.

Critical feedback

Negative feedback is more prevalent and centers on issues such as damaged or missing items, delayed deliveries, inconsistent packing quality, and billing disputes. Many customers express frustration with shipments being transferred between trucks or stored temporarily without clear communication, which they associate with a higher risk of damage or loss. Complaints also commonly reference underestimated weights, price increases at delivery, difficulty navigating the claims process, and limited responsiveness once problems arise. These issues appear more frequently in long-distance and interstate moves involving multiple agents.

How the company responds to feedback

Allied Van Lines does respond publicly to some negative reviews, particularly on platforms like Trustpilot. Their responses typically acknowledge the customer’s frustration and direct them to contact customer service or the claims department for resolution.

Customer Support

Allied Van Lines provides several customer support options to assist customers throughout the moving process. They offer phone support for estimates, move coordination, and general inquiries through their main customer service line at 1-800-689-8684. Customers can also reach out through the company’s online contact form, which helps route questions to the appropriate department or local agent. While they do not advertise 24-hour support or live chat functionality, their phone and online request channels are designed to connect customers with move coordinators or agent representatives who handle move-specific communication.

In addition to direct support, Allied Van Lines maintains an extensive FAQ section and a broader moving resources hub on their website. These resources cover topics such as estimates, packing services, valuation coverage, storage options, claims, and move preparation tips.

Conclusion

Allied Van Lines stands out as a flexible, full-service moving provider built to support a wide range of relocation needs, from local household moves to complex international and corporate relocations. Their nationwide and global agent network, combined with standardized planning, packing, storage, and tracking options, allows different types of customers to approach a move with structure and coordination. For households, this means access to packing, specialty item handling, and storage when timelines change. 

Many of their advantages center on scale and logistics depth. Their ability to manage multi-stage relocations, storage-in-transit, and cross-border moves benefits customers with complex timelines or long-distance requirements. Features such as in-home or virtual estimates, valuation coverage options, and dedicated move coordination help customers plan more confidently and reduce uncertainty during transit. At the same time, customer feedback shows that results can vary by agent, with recurring complaints related to pricing changes, shipment handling, and the claims process, particularly for interstate moves involving multiple handoffs. 

To explore how Allied Van Lines compares with other providers, readers can browse our full moving companies reviews, use our comparison tool to evaluate options side by side, or read more in our moving blog for additional guidance, tips, and industry insights before choosing a mover.