Allied Van Lines is one of the oldest names in the moving industry — founded in 1928, owned by Sirva Worldwide (which also owns North American Van Lines), and operating through a network of more than 400 agents nationwide. It’s a true direct carrier, not a broker, which puts it in a different category than many of the comparisons on this site. AmeriSafe Van Lines is far smaller in scale but consistently posts one of the strongest review averages of any long-distance mover on ConsumersVerified.
Here’s an honest look at how the two actually compare, based on publicly available BBB records, FMCSA complaint data, and aggregated customer reviews.
Allied Van Lines is a legitimate, long-established carrier with an A+ BBB rating and a relatively low FMCSA complaint count for its size. But its publicly available reviews show a recurring pattern: strong initial sales and packing experience, followed by inconsistent claims handling and limited follow-through when something goes wrong — including a standard $500 damage deductible some customers find restrictive. AmeriSafe Van Lines, while smaller, holds a more consistent 4.8-star rating with fewer reports of this specific claims-related complaint pattern.
Allied Van Lines at a Glance
Allied operates its own trucks and crews rather than functioning as a broker — a genuine structural advantage over broker-only competitors. It’s also one of the few major movers that doesn’t require an upfront deposit, and it offers virtual in-home estimates as standard.
Quick Comparison
The Recurring Theme in Allied's Reviews: Claims and Follow-Through
Across publicly available BBB complaints and customer reviews, a consistent pattern emerges with Allied that’s worth understanding before booking. The initial experience — sales consultation, in-home walkthrough, even the loading crew — is frequently described positively. The friction tends to show up later, specifically around damage claims and post-move follow-through.
Documented BBB complaints describe slow claims review timelines, settlement offers customers consider below the documented replacement value, and difficulty reaching a consistent point of contact once a dispute begins. Allied’s standard coverage includes a $500 deductible on Full Value Protection claims, which some customers report being surprised by after a claim is filed. To be fair, Allied’s FMCSA complaint volume (14–18 per year) is genuinely low relative to its transaction volume — these patterns represent a meaningful minority of moves, not the norm, but they are documented and recurring enough to flag.
Provider Breakdown
AmeriSafe Van Lines
★ 4.8 · 250 verified reviews · Boynton Beach, FL
✅ Strengths
- Consistently high 4.8-star rating with no major platform gap
- Family-owned with 40+ years combined industry experience
- Reviewers cite responsive communication throughout, not just at sign-up
- Fewer reported issues around post-move claims follow-through
❌ Limitations
- Smaller scale and fewer specialty services (e.g. vehicle relocation)
- Not a 100-year legacy brand — shorter track record
- Some routes coordinated through a carrier network
Allied Van Lines
A+ BBB Rating · Founded 1928 · Owned by Sirva Worldwide
✅ Strengths
- True direct carrier with its own trucks and crews, no deposit required
- Specializes in vehicle relocation using owned equipment
- Established 400+ agent network and international capability
- Relatively low FMCSA complaint volume for its transaction size
❌ Limitations
- Recurring complaints about slow or unsatisfying claims resolution
- $500 standard deductible on damage claims surprises some customers
- Communication reportedly inconsistent after the local rep's job is done
- Multiple BBB complaints describe difficulty reaching a single point of contact during disputes
Head-to-Head: Category Verdicts
Questions to Ask Before Booking With Either Company
- What is the standard deductible on Full Value Protection, and can it be reduced or waived?
- Who is my single point of contact if something goes wrong after delivery?
- What is the typical claims review timeline, and is it documented in writing?
- If using a local agent or franchise, what is the relationship between them and the national company for accountability purposes?
- Can I get a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate, not just a non-binding ballpark?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allied Van Lines a reliable moving company?
Allied is a legitimate, long-established direct carrier with an A+ BBB rating and a relatively low FMCSA complaint count for its size. Reliability concerns in public reviews center specifically around claims handling and post-move communication rather than the initial moving service itself.
What is Allied Van Lines' damage deductible?
Allied's standard Full Value Protection includes a $500 deductible, meaning the company isn't responsible for the first $500 of any claim even under full coverage. Customers should confirm this detail and ask about options to reduce or waive it before booking.
Is AmeriSafe a better choice than Allied Van Lines?
For most household moves where consistent communication and straightforward claims handling matter most, AmeriSafe's track record is stronger and more consistent. Allied may be the better specific choice for vehicle relocation or international moves given its established infrastructure in those areas.
Does Allied Van Lines require a deposit?
No, Allied Van Lines is one of the few major movers that doesn't require an upfront deposit for most moves, which is a genuine consumer-friendly policy compared to many competitors that require 25-30% upfront.
🔍 Read Verified AmeriSafe Reviews
See why AmeriSafe Van Lines consistently ranks as a top-rated long-distance mover on ConsumersVerified.