If you’re a collector of antique furniture, art, or decor, you already know the rarity and value of the items you have amassed over the years. But can you trust your moving company will?
To ensure your household treasures are handled with the care they deserve, you’ll want to find antique movers that offer specialized services for handling fragile and high-end pieces like family heirlooms. We’ve helped make your search easier by selecting the best moving companies for antiques.
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Our best antique moving companies ratings
Here are our top-rated antique moving companies:
- Best overall for antiques: American Van Lines
- Best antique furniture movers: JK Moving Services
- Best for HOAs and condos: Safeway Moving
- Best long-distance antique movers: International Van Lines
- Best DIY option: U-Pack
Comparing the best antique movers
Take a look at how our picks for best antique movers stack up in terms of services.
Moving company |
Specialty services for antiques |
Certified antique moving crews |
Customized crates |
Insurance Options |
State availability |
BBB rating |
American Van Lines |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Basic, full value |
48 (not in AK or HI) |
A |
JK Moving Services |
✓ |
x |
x |
Basic, full value |
50 |
A+ |
Safeway Moving |
✓ |
x |
✓ |
Basic, full value |
50 |
A+ |
International Van Lines |
✓ |
x |
✓ |
Basic, full value, all risk, third-party |
50 |
B |
U-Pack |
x |
x |
x |
Catastrophic liability, carrier negligence liability |
50 |
A+ |
Our reviews of the best movers for antiques
Best overall for antiques: American Van Lines
With its highly trained staff and specialty offerings, American Van Lines (AVL) is our top pick for professional antique movers.
89% of users select this mover
AVL has been around since 1933 and fully vets its moving crew members, who have an average of 10 years of experience. Crews are required to complete annual courses in the company’s training facility. The company also has movers certified specifically in antiques and pianos, so you can rest assured your fragile household pieces will be properly packed and safely moved to your new home.
AVL can handle full-service moves with white-glove antique moving services—such as custom crates for large, fragile, or oddly shaped pieces—in every US state except for Alaska and Hawaii.
Like most moving companies, AVL offers two types of contents coverage plans: basic carrier liability and full-value protection. Federal law requires moving companies to carry basic carrier liability coverage, which covers any broken, damaged, or lost items at $0.60 per pound each. Available at an additional cost, the optional full-value protection offers the more comprehensive coverage of at least $6 per pound.
To compare these plans, you’d get $6 in reimbursement for a broken 10-pound antique lamp under the basic coverage. You’d receive a minimum of $60 for the same lamp with full-value protection.
American Van Lines pros and cons
- Has certified antique moving crews
- Will match lower prices from competitors
- Offers climate-controlled storage units to protect antiques
- Charges a hefty deposit (up to 50%)
- Does not serve Alaska or Hawaii
Best antique furniture movers: JK Moving Services
If your moving needs include antique furniture, JK Moving Services might be your best choice.
89% of users select this mover
As part of the company’s full-service moving package, trained crews will take apart your furniture and reassemble it at your new home. This will take care of the logistical headache of moving large pieces and ensure your furniture is transported safely and with the proper protection. It also makes relocating your heirlooms and collector’s items a stress-free experience, since JK Moving specializes in handling high-value and fragile items.
Once your furniture and household goods are loaded on the truck, you can keep track of where they are with a GPS tracking system available through JK Moving’s easy-to-use app. A personal moving coordinator will also be there to answer any questions or address concerns you may have during the process.
JK Moving Services pros and cons
- Offers full-valuation coverage at no cost on full-service moves
- Provides GPS tracking of shipments and regular updates on your delivery status
- Has personal moving coordinators to assist customers throughout the process
- Is very limited in local moves (only in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC)
- Does not honor price matching
Best for HOAs and condos: Safeway Moving
Moving into or out of a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA) or condo association comes with its own unique set of headaches. Safeway Moving makes the process of handling your antiques in condos and apartments
89% of users select this mover
HOAs and condo associations typically have guidelines and requirements for moving companies, and Safeway is well-equipped to meet them all. In fact, one of Safeway’s specialties is its knowledgeable approach to HOA and condo association moves.
Safeway is both a carrier and a broker, meaning it will partner with other moving companies in certain locations. But Safeway requires that each of its partners carries a $1 million liability insurance policy, which is the standard amount most HOAs require. And Safeway and all its partners carry the licenses required by HOA and condo associations.
If you’re moving to a new state, you’re in good hands with Safeway as we’ve rated them #1 on our best interstate moving companies guide.
Safeway Moving pros and cons
- Fulfills HOA and condo association insurance and license requirements for movers
- Includes 30 days of free storage with all moves
- Provides binding estimates, so you know exactly how much you’ll be paying
- Requires a 40% deposit to secure your moving date
- Has limited information on its website
Best long-distance antique movers: International Van Lines
We like International Van Lines (IVL) for interstate and cross-country moves. While IVL handles local and international moves, the company offers a wealth of services aimed specifically at long-distance moves (400 miles or more).
89% of users select this mover
In addition to loading and unloading, IVL can pack up your items and disassemble and reassemble your furniture. The company also has specialty moving services for antiques and fine arts to ensure your fragile and valuable pieces are properly wrapped, packed, and secured in the moving truck.
You can track your shipment in real-time while en route, and IVL’s insurance options allow you to customize the kind of protection that best suits your antiques’ value. This should give you peace and mind that you’re covered if anything happens to your items.
While most movers provide basic and full-value protection, IVL also has all-risk and named-perils insurance. All-risk insurance covers any amount of damage or loss to your moving shipment and is handled directly by an insurance company, rather than IVL’s claims department. Named-perils is a third-party insurance policy that essentially pays out a claim in the event that you experience a total loss of your shipment.
IVL is a great option for antiques and one of the best long distance moving companies we’ve rated.
International Van Lines pros and cons
- Offers four contents coverage plans to protect your antique items
- Has climate-controlled storage units
- Provides shipment tracking
- Charges an additional $150 per bulk