The 30-Second Verdict
Open secret of the moving industry: Mayflower and United Van Lines are sister brands under the same parent (UniGroup), often dispatched from the same agent warehouses on the same trucks with different logos. So why compare? Because your local agents differ. A given city's Mayflower agent and United agent are frequently different companies with different crews, different surveyors, and different service reputations — and that's what you're actually hiring. United is the larger network with somewhat more corporate-relocation volume; Mayflower's packages skew slightly simpler and occasionally quote leaner on smaller shipments. Coverage, full-value protection, storage-in-transit, and claims infrastructure are effectively identical. Strategy for a Florida move: quote BOTH brands' local agents, treat it as quoting two competing companies, and pick the agent — the brand on the truck door is close to irrelevant.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Pros
- Same UniGroup infrastructure as United — nationwide + Florida coverage
- Occasionally leaner quotes on smaller (1–2BR) shipments
- Simple, well-defined service packages
- Full-value protection standard
- Long heritage brand; agents tend to be established companies
Cons
- Slightly smaller agent network than United
- In some Florida metros the Mayflower agent is the weaker local operator
- Fewer corporate-relo perks trickling down to consumer moves
- Peak-season capacity constraints identical to United's
Pros
- Largest van-line network in the country — most agent choice in Florida
- Heavy corporate-relocation volume keeps agent quality standards high
- Full-value protection standard with readable deductible tiers
- Robust storage-in-transit when Florida closings slip
- Strong claims process
Cons
- Rarely the cheapest quote on small shipments
- Big-brand demand books peak Florida season early
- Agent quality still varies city to city
- Guaranteed delivery dates cost extra
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mayflower | United Van Lines | |
|---|---|---|
| Parent company | UniGroup | UniGroup |
| Network size | Large | Largest |
| 2BR to FL (typical) | $5,000–$9,000 | $5,500–$9,500 |
| Valuation | Full-value standard | Full-value standard |
| Storage-in-transit | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate relo volume | Moderate | Heavy |
| Practical difference | Your local agent | Your local agent |
| Best strategy | Quote both, pick the better agent | Quote both, pick the better agent |