Allied Van Lines vs Bekins Van Lines

Allied Van Lines vs. Bekins Van Lines

Allied Van Lines and Bekins Van Lines are two of the oldest names in U.S. moving. Both focus on full-service, long-distance relocations and operate through nationwide agent networks. The differences show up in how they coordinate moves, handle claims, and fit different move sizes.

Services and availability

Allied Van Lines offers local, long-distance, interstate, and international moves through a large U.S. and global agent network. Their services cover packing, unpacking, storage, vehicle shipping, specialty item handling, and corporate or government relocations. Allied also supports international moves with customs coordination and overseas partners, which makes them a common choice for cross-border or multi-stage relocations. Availability is broad across the U.S., though service quality depends on the assigned local agent.

Bekins Van Lines also provides local, long-distance, interstate, and international moving services, with packing, storage, specialty handling, and corporate relocation programs. They operate through a nationwide agent network and tend to attract customers planning larger household moves that require inventory planning and longer delivery timelines. Bekins places more emphasis on traditional full-service moves rather than smaller or budget-focused relocations, and their availability mirrors that structure across most states.

Reliability and moving experience

Allied Van Lines holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is widely recognized for scale and logistics depth. Customer experience varies by agent. Positive feedback often highlights professional drivers, careful packing, and smooth delivery when coordination is strong. Critical reviews frequently focus on delays, shipment transfers, pricing changes, and claims handling, especially on long-distance moves involving multiple agents or storage in transit.

Bekins Van Lines also maintains an A+ BBB rating and a long industry history, dating back to the late 1800s. Their reliability similarly depends on the local agent and crew. Some customers report well-organized packing and accurate estimates, while others cite damaged or missing items, delayed deliveries, and frustration with claims resolution. Bekins offers shipment tracking, but it is more of a coordinator-based system than a real-time GPS system, which can limit visibility during transit.

Pricing and value

Allied Van Lines uses a quote-based pricing model built from in-home or virtual surveys. Pricing depends on shipment size or weight, distance, timing, and selected services like packing, storage, or vehicle transport. Both binding and non-binding estimates are used. Costs can rise if inventory changes, access issues appear, or services are added later. Basic valuation coverage is included, with full-value protection available for purchase. Allied tends to deliver the most value on larger, complex moves rather than small shipments.

Bekins Van Lines follows a similar pricing structure, with estimates based on detailed surveys and inventory lists. Customers may receive binding or non-binding estimates depending on the move type and the accuracy of the survey. Pricing scales with distance, shipment size, season, and add-ons such as packing, crating, storage, or specialty items. Like Allied, Bekins includes released value protection and offers full-value protection upgrades. Value is strongest when the initial survey is thorough, and the move involves a full household rather than a partial load.

Conclusion

Allied Van Lines is best suited for customers planning large, long-distance, international, or corporate moves that involve storage, vehicle shipping, or multi-stage coordination. Their scale and logistics systems support complex relocations, though results depend heavily on agent performance and clear documentation.

Bekins Van Lines is a better fit for households seeking a traditional full-service mover with deep industry roots and nationwide coverage, especially for long-distance or interstate moves that benefit from structured planning. Customers who take time to confirm agent reputation, inventory details, and valuation terms tend to have more predictable outcomes.