10 Worst Things to Forget Before a Major Move

4. Your sleeping arrangements
So you've packed up the truck or container and are ready to take off in the morning. That's great, but where are you going to sleep tonight? The first night at the new destination isn't that big of a problem, as you'll get to your bed eventually, but the last night after the big load-up can be a bit tough if you don't pack the bed last or stay with someone else for the evening.

5. Your records
It's a lot easier to do things electronically these days, but that's not always the case with medical, dental or school records. Sometimes it's just easier to keep these things on hand, so try to get copies from everyone as soon as you're ready to pack them up. Once you have them, keep them all in the same place so they're easy to refer to once you're setting up your new home.

6. Your heat and lights
If you don't turn the electricity, gas or oil heat on, nobody's going to do it for you. The AMSA advises turning off all of the utilities two to three days after you load out and turning them on at the new place two to three days before you move in. It's not great to get a bill for lights someone else is using forwarded to the address you're already being charged for. Speaking of forwarding ...

7. Your mail
Oh yeah, you're going to want to check in with the U.S. Postal Service and make sure it knows you're leaving. It'll only forward mail to your new address if you check with it in advance, and even then it's not permanent. Forwarding basically gives you a couple of months to change your mailing address with various institutions yourself. At some point, that yellow forwarding label's going to stop appearing. Just get the service's handy little change of address kit and you should be fine.

8. Your insurance
"Be careful when referring to 'insurance,'" Bisey warns. "Very few movers offer true insurance, which is regulated by the states and is offered by an insurance agent."

The best you can get from the movers themselves is valuation protection, which covers only a percentage of what your goods are worth. In May, a federal regulation took effect requiring interstate movers to include the cost of full-value protection in their initial written estimate. This should give consumers some second thoughts about choosing the minimal valuation option, which is only 60 cents per pound.