What an A1 Plus Rating Means When You're Hiring Movers

An A1 Plus rating tells you a mover has met specific standards for financial stability and complaint handling, but it's not a may provide of quality service

The A1 Plus rating comes from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization that tracks business practices and customer complaints. A mover earns this rating by maintaining an A or A+ grade from the BBB, which requires meeting financial responsibility standards and responding to complaints within a set timeframe. The rating reflects how a business handles money and resolves disputes—not whether the move itself will go smoothly or whether your belongings will arrive undamaged.

South Carolina has movers with A1 Plus ratings across the state, from Charleston to Greenville to the Lowcountry. When you see this rating on a mover's profile, it means the BBB has verified the company's business registration and that the company has committed to addressing customer concerns. However, the rating does not mean the mover is licensed by the state or federally regulated, and it does not cover the actual moving service itself.

Key Takeaways

• An A1 Plus rating indicates a mover meets BBB standards for financial stability and complaint response, but does not may provide damage-free service or quality packing.
• The BBB rating reflects how a company handles money and resolves disputes, not the skill of the movers or the condition of your belongings upon arrival.
• You can check a mover's BBB profile directly to see the rating, complaint history, and how the company responded to past issues.
• A1 Plus rated movers in South Carolina still vary widely in price, service area, and what they include in a move, so comparing multiple companies is still necessary.
• The rating is voluntary—a mover without a BBB rating is not necessarily unreliable, and a mover with an A1 Plus rating can still have unresolved complaints.

How the BBB Rating System Works

The Better Business Bureau assigns grades from A+ down to F based on two main factors: how long a business has been operating and how it handles complaints. A mover starts with an A+ and loses points for unresolved complaints, failure to respond to customers, or patterns of similar issues. To maintain an A1 Plus rating, a company must respond to complaints and work toward resolution, even if the customer remains unsatisfied.

The BBB does not inspect moving trucks, verify insurance, or test packing methods. The organization relies on customer complaints and the company's response to those complaints. A mover with an A1 Plus rating may have had complaints filed against it—the rating simply means the company addressed them. You can read the actual complaints and responses on the BBB website by searching for the company name and your state.

What an A1 Plus Rating Does Not Tell You

An A1 Plus rating does not mean a mover is licensed by South Carolina or the federal government. South Carolina does not license intrastate movers (those moving within the state only), so any company can legally operate as a mover as long as it registers with the state. Interstate movers (those crossing state lines) must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), but registration is not the same as approval or inspection.

The rating also does not cover damage to your belongings, delays, or disputes over the final bill. If a mover damages your furniture or arrives late, the BBB rating tells you whether the company responded to complaints about those issues—not whether the company will prevent them from happening to you. Insurance coverage, liability limits, and damage claims are separate matters that you must research independently.

How to Verify a Mover's A1 Plus Rating

Visit the Better Business Bureau website at bbb.org and search for the mover by name and city. The company's profile will show its current grade, how long it has been accredited, and a list of complaints filed in the past three years. Read the complaint summaries and the company's responses to understand what issues past customers have reported and how the mover handled them.

Cross-reference the BBB rating with other sources. Check Google reviews, the FMCSA database (if the mover operates interstate), and the South Carolina Secretary of State website to confirm the company is registered. Ask the mover directly for references from recent moves in your area and contact those customers about their experience. An A1 Plus rating is one data point, not the only one you should consider.

Comparing A1 Plus Rated Movers in South Carolina

Multiple movers across South Carolina hold A1 Plus ratings, and they differ significantly in price, service area, and what they include. A mover rated A1 Plus in Charleston may not serve the Upstate, and a company with an A1 Plus rating may specialize in long-distance moves while another focuses on local relocations. Request written estimates from at least three movers and compare what each one covers: packing materials, labor, equipment rental, and liability insurance.

Ask each mover about their cancellation policy, how they handle disputes over final costs, and what happens if your move date changes. An A1 Plus rating does not tell you these details, and policies vary widely. Some movers include basic liability coverage in the estimate; others charge extra. Some offer binding estimates (the final price is locked in); others provide non-binding estimates that can increase on moving day.

Red Flags Even Among A1 Plus Rated Movers

An A1 Plus rating does not mean a mover is perfect. Watch for movers who quote prices significantly lower than competitors, demand large deposits before the move, or refuse to provide a written estimate. These are warning signs regardless of BBB rating. Check whether the mover has unresolved complaints on the BBB profile—a company with many complaints that it did not respond to may have lost points and dropped below A1 Plus, but a company with several resolved complaints still holds the rating.

Be cautious of movers who pressure you to decide quickly or who are vague about what is included in the price. Even A1 Plus rated companies can have disputes over hidden fees, damage claims, or service quality. The rating means the company is more likely to respond to your complaint if something goes wrong—it does not mean something will not go wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an A1 Plus rating mean the mover is insured?

No. The BBB rating does not verify insurance. You must ask the mover directly about their liability coverage and what it includes. Federal law requires interstate movers to carry minimum liability insurance, but intrastate movers in South Carolina are not required to carry any. Request proof of insurance in writing before you book.

Can a mover lose their A1 Plus rating?

Yes. If a mover receives multiple unresolved complaints or fails to respond to customer complaints, the BBB will lower the grade. A company can also lose accreditation if it fails to pay BBB membership dues or if the BBB discovers the company is operating illegally. You can check the current rating on the BBB website at any time.

What should I do if I have a problem with an A1 Plus rated mover?

Contact the mover directly first and document all communication in writing. If the mover does not resolve the issue, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You can also file a complaint with the South Carolina Attorney General's office or, for interstate moves, with the FMCSA. Keep all receipts, photos, and written estimates.

Is an A1 Plus rating the same as being licensed?

No. The BBB rating is a voluntary accreditation based on business practices and complaint handling. Licensing is a government requirement. South Carolina does not license intrastate movers. Interstate movers must register with the FMCSA, but registration is not a license and does not mean the federal government has inspected or approved the company.

Should I only hire movers with an A1 Plus rating?

Not necessarily. A mover without a BBB rating or with a lower rating may still be reliable. The rating is one tool to research a company, but you should also check references, read reviews, verify insurance, and compare estimates. Some excellent movers do not seek BBB accreditation, and some newer companies have not yet built a rating history.