
North American Van Lines Reviews
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About North American Van Lines
North American Van Lines offers packing, storage, auto transport and other moving services nationwide. Founded in 1933 and headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it’s one of the oldest full-service moving companies in the U.S. North American Van Lines is generally a better fit for large or cross-country moves than for small local moves, where independent movers or truck rentals may be more affordable.
Visit www.northamerican.com- Nationwide and international service
- Transparent pricing estimates online
- Real-time shipment tracking
- Dedicated moving coordinators
- Service quality varies by local agent
- Home survey may be required for binding quotes
- Customer reports of damaged and missing items
Helpful Reviews
How North American Van Lines works
North American Van Lines works by partnering with more than 500 local agent locations across North America to provide packing, loading and delivery services in their markets, rather than handling every move directly. It’s owned by Sirva, a global moving services company, which also owns Allied Van Lines. It’s available in all 50 states, and it offers local, long-distance, international and corporate moves.
While your move is backed by a national brand, the crews handling your belongings will likely be employees of a local North American Van Lines agent. Because of this, service quality can vary by location. It can be worth researching the agents in your area before booking. You can click “Find an Agent” at the bottom of its website to find agents near your ZIP code, which you can then research online.
When vetting local agents, look for:
- A company website with clear contact and location information
- U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and motor carrier (MC) numbers
- Online reviews about services and customer experience
- Typical costs for services or additional services
You can talk to your North American Van Lines agent before booking if you’re unsure about any of the above.
North American Van Lines moving services
North American Van Lines offers moving services such as packing, loading, storage, vehicle shipping and international relocation support. You can also book additional services, like unpacking, debris removal, furniture and appliance setup, and cleaning. The company recommends booking most moves two to three months in advance.
Packing and unpacking
North American Van Lines offers full-service packing and fragile-only packing. Your packing plan can be customized to accommodate specialty or high-value items, including furniture, artwork and family heirlooms. You can buy moving supplies like wardrobe boxes and dish barrels if you plan to pack yourself. If you choose packing or unpacking services, those materials are included.
Loading and unloading
North American Van Lines states that its movers are trained to load and unload trucks strategically to prevent shifting and damage during transport. When its movers arrive, they can place items in specific areas of your new home if requested.
Storage
North American Van Lines provides climate-controlled storage options for local and long-distance moves. The company’s network of facilities across the U.S. and Canada offers short- and long-term storage solutions for both residential and commercial moves.
North American Van Lines cost
North American Van Lines’s costs typically range from about $400 to $3,000 for a local move and $1,800 to $16,900 for a long-distance move, according to cost estimates on its website. Costs vary based on the distance of your move, the size of your shipment and any additional services you choose.
While North American Van Lines claims to not charge hidden fees, quoted costs may change if you end up having more items to move than you initially disclosed or if the moving truck has to park farther away from your home. This is common in the moving industry.
Getting a quote
You can get a free instant quote online to estimate the cost of your move. However, you’ll generally need to complete an in-home virtual survey to get an official quote. During the survey, a moving consultant will evaluate the size of your shipment and any factors that could affect pricing.
Cost by type of move
North American Van Lines lists average costs and typical cost ranges for different types of moves on its website.
| Type of move | Average cost | Typical cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | $1,650 | $400 to $3,000 |
| Long-distance move | $6,250 | $1,800 to $16,900 |
| Cross-country move | $8,650 | $4,500 to $18,000 |
Cost by distance and home size
North American Van Lines also shows how moving costs can increase with both distance and home size.
| Mileage | 1-bedroom apartment | 2- to 3-bedroom home | 4- to 5-bedroom home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 miles | $1,800 to $3,000 | $5,500 to $7,500 | $10,500 to $13,900 |
| Over 400 miles | $2,200 to $3,500 | $6,700 to $9,250 | $12,900 to $18,000 |
Cost reported by customers
Carolyn, a reviewer from Canada, said North American Van Lines charged $7,000 to move their belongings from Florida to Nova Scotia, Canada. On the higher end, Judy, a reviewer from Florida, said they spent $14,000 moving from Massachusetts to Florida.
North American Van Lines moving insurance
As required by law, North American Van Lines offers two types of moving insurance: released-value protection and full-value protection. Released-value protection is included with all moves at no extra cost, while full-value protection costs extra.
- Released-value protection: Coverage is limited to 60 cents per pound per item. For example, if a 50-pound table is damaged, the maximum reimbursement would be $30.
- Full-value protection: This is based on a minimum valuation of $6 per pound, with a minimum shipment value of $6,000. If an item is lost or damaged, North American Van Lines may repair it, replace it with a similar item or reimburse you for its value. With full-value protection, you could receive $300 for the same damaged 50-pound table.
Valuation coverage is technically not a type of insurance. If you want liability insurance, you’ll need to purchase a policy from the mover you hire or a third-party provider. This type of moving insurance will cover the full cost of losses or damages up to the insurance amount you purchase. You can also check your home insurance policy to see if it already includes moving insurance.
Estimated cost of full-value protection
Full-value protection typically costs 5% to 6% of the shipment’s valuation. For example, a 10,000-pound shipment would have a maximum valuation of $60,000 and full-value protection would cost about $500 to $600.
| Shipment weight | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| 2,000 pounds | $100 to $120 |
| 5,000 pounds | $250 to $300 |
| 7,400 pounds | $370 to $444 |
| 10,000 pounds | $500 to $600 |
North American Van Lines claims process
North American Van Lines’s claims process starts with filling out a damage claim form online through Sirva, its parent company. North American Van Lines gives you up to nine months to file after a domestic interstate move, 30 days after an international move, and 90 days if you move within the state of Texas.
How to file a claim
You can file a claim online via Sirva's customer portal, located under “Customer Support” on the North American Van Lines website, or by mail or fax. To facilitate a smoother claims process, North American Van Lines suggests you follow these steps:
- Interstate movers are legally required to supply you with an inventory list of your belongings. When the truck is unloaded at your destination, check off each item on your copy of this list as it comes off the truck, noting whether anything is missing or damaged.
- Write down any issues on the bill of lading or other delivery paperwork.
- Walk through the property with the driver and document any damage to the structure, such as scratched woodwork or dented walls.
- Take multiple, clear photos to document any damage. Don’t throw away damaged items; an inspection may be required later, especially for high-value items.
- Make sure to file the claim before the deadline. Include photos, descriptions of any damage and proof of the lost or damaged items’ value.
- Keep all of your paperwork, such as the inventory list, bill of lading and receipts.
North American Van Lines notes that most claims are resolved within a month, although complex cases can take longer. To check on the status of a claim, you can call or email the company.
What customers say about the claims process
On our site, many customers have expressed frustration with how North American Van Lines handles claims.
“North American Van Lines, through its agent ShoreView Moving & Storage, turned my interstate move into a disaster,” said Patrick, a reviewer from Florida. “Numerous valuable belongings are missing, and other items arrived damaged. The claims process has been just as troubling. Rather than addressing serious errors, omissions, missing property, and documented service failures as a whole, the company has repeatedly narrowed the matter to a routine damage inspection and shifted responsibility from one person to another.”
Holly, a reviewer from Nevada, reported extensive damage and missing items, but their claim was denied.
“[They] ‘lost’ a lot of my property, including a 60" TV,” Holly said. “A lot of my furniture was disassembled and only pieces [were] returned [.] [...] The company denied my claim because I can't prove I had any missing property or that their employees were responsible for the damage in the photos.”
North American Van Lines FAQ
Is North American Van Lines a broker?
No — North American Van Lines is a carrier, not a broker, which means it remains responsible for your shipment even though it works with a network of local agents. It’s licensed as a carrier with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its USDOT number is 070851. Its MC identification number is MC-107012.
Is North American Van Lines a reputable moving company?
North American Van Lines holds FMCSA and USDOT licensing and has operated since 1933. However, customer reviews on ConsumerAffairs are mixed. Some reviewers have praised the company’s movers for being professional, efficient and careful, while others report issues such as damaged or missing items, delivery delays and difficulties with the claims process.
Does North American Van Lines offer discounts?
North American Van Lines and its local agents offer discounts for some customers, including members of Disabled American Veterans, the Senior Citizens League and Union Plus. However, the company doesn’t promote any specific discounts on its website, so it’s best to call to confirm current availability.
What’s the delivery timeline for a move with North American Van Lines?
The delivery timeline for a move with North American Van Lines varies depending on the distance, weather and traffic, though most long-distance moves can be delivered within 10 to 14 days. Interstate moves typically take two to five business days.
How does North American Van Lines handle damaged or lost items?
North American Van Lines handles damaged or lost items by requesting that customers file a claim online through Sirva, its parent company, as soon as possible after delivery. Domestic move claims must be filed within nine months of delivery, international move claims within 30 day and moves inside the state of Texas only within 90 days.
Still have questions?
Is North American Van Lines worth it?
North American Van Lines may be worth it if you’re planning a long-distance, interstate or international move and want access to services like packing, storage and vehicle shipping. The company has decades of experience, nationwide coverage and binding quote options.
However, North American Van Lines may not be the best fit if you’re looking for the lowest-cost mover or highly consistent service across every location. While many customer reviews on our site are positive, experiences can vary depending on the local agent handling the move. Some customers have reported issues with claims, damaged items and delivery delays.
For example, Jo, a reviewer from Colorado, reported thousands of dollars worth of damage, along with missing items.
“We moved from Florida to Colorado,” Jo said. “Everything was supposed to stay wrapped during the four month storage. It was not. [...] The company didn't reimburse us for all the damage and proof of missing books and other items. We incurred thousands and thousands of dollars lost from the disastrous service.”
Before booking, it’s best to compare at least three quotes from different moving companies. You should also review your local North American Van Lines agent(s) online and make sure you understand your valuation coverage and insurance options.
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North American Van Lines Company Information
- Company Name:
- North American Van Lines
- Address:
- 101 E. Washington Blvd., Ste. 1100
- City:
- Fort Wayne
- State/Province:
- IN
- Postal Code:
- 46801
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.northamerican.com










