What’s happening now in the moving industry? Although the pandemic may be waning, its impact on the moving industry remains. Here’s a look at the moving trends, worker issues, emerging risks and other developments that moving company professionals should know about now.
Americans Are on the Move – But Not as Much as Usual
Americans tend to move around a lot. In the last two years, the pandemic and other social and economic factors have impacted moving trends. The U.S. Census Bureau says that 27.1 million Americans reported living at a different address in 2021 than in 2020. That’s an 8.4% mover rate, and while this seems like a lot, it’s actually the lowest documented rate in more than 70 years. For comparison, 29.8 million people reported living at a different address in 2020 than in 2019.
In addition to telling us how many people are moving, recent data can also tell us where people are moving. Moving.com looked at U.S. Census Bureau data and found that Utah, Idaho, Texas, North Dakota, Colorado, Washington, Florida, Arizona and South Carolina are seeing the largest population increases. Meanwhile, Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia are seeing populations decline.
The Roads Are Increasingly Dangerous
Traffic fatalities increased during the pandemic. According to the NHSTA, 31,720 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first nine months of 2021. This is an increase of around 12% compared to the first nine months of 2020. That’s an alarming increase, and it’s even worse when you realize that traffic fatalities also increased in 2020. In the first nine months of 2019, 26,941 people died in motor vehicle crashes.
Many people have pointed to an increase in speeding and reckless driving as the cause. For moving companies, it’s important to make sure that drivers are practicing safe habits on the road.
Cargo Thefts Are Up, Too
Crashes aren’t the only threat on the road. Cargo thefts also appear to be on the rise. According to CargoNet, truck cargo thefts reached a record in 2020 amid the pandemic. There were 294 truck cargo thefts in the third quarter of 2021. This is a decrease compared to the same period in 2020, but thefts are still up 13% compared to the third quarter of 2019.
Worker Shortages
Like many other industries, the moving industry has been dealing with worker shortages. The American Trucking Associations estimated that the truck driver shortage would reach 80,000 in 2021. By 2030, the shortage could exceed 160,000. The shortage appears to be based on many factors, including the high average age of truckers and the fact that many are leaving work to retire.
Although the pandemic and Great Resignation may be making the situation worse, this appears to be a long-term problem. That’s why we’ve provided tips on How to Solve Your Hiring Challenges Once & For All.
Moving Scams Continue to Make Consumers Wary
Moving scams increased during the pandemic. According to AARP, in 2020 the FMCSA received 899 complaints of hostage loads, in which a moving company does not deliver the customer’s belongings. In comparison, only 495 complaints were received in 2019. In 2021, the numbers have been even higher, with 932 complaints as of July 25, 2021.
With the rise of moving scams, customers may be more suspicious than usual. Movers may need to work hard to earn their customers’ trust.
If a loss happens, the right moving insurance coverage can help keep customers happy. Contact us to learn more.