A low moving quote can turn expensive fast if the company isn't registered, the estimate is vague, or the valuation clause pays by weight instead of value. Before you book, check the mover's legal identity, confirm who will transport your goods, compare written estimates, and read the valuation section.
A USDOT number, a polished website, and high review scores can look reassuring. They don't guarantee careful service or full reimbursement. The rules below apply to U.S. household moves. State-regulated local moves and commercial relocations can follow different terms.
Match the rules to your move
Where the shipment starts and ends determines which agency and rules matter.
- Interstate household move: If your shipment crosses a state line, check the carrier or broker through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
- Intrastate move: If the move stays within one state, the state may regulate the mover through a transportation, public-utility, or consumer-protection agency. A local mover may not have a federal USDOT record.
- Commercial or office move: Office relocations can use different contracts, pricing, and liability terms. Don't assume household-goods protections apply automatically.
The company you contact may also be a broker rather than the carrier that loads and transports your shipment. Ask for the legal name of the actual carrier, its contact information, and, when applicable, its USDOT number. Recheck that identity before signing the bill of lading or paying the final balance.
Verify the company before paying a deposit
Do these checks before you hand over money:
- Start with the exact legal name. Compare it on the website, estimate, contract, invoice, payment request, and truck. If the names don't match, pause and ask why.
- Check interstate movers through FMCSA. Use the FMCSA official website to locate its licensing and insurance tools. Confirm that the listed business and operating status match the company offering your move.
- Check local movers with the appropriate state agency. Search for licensing requirements, complaint procedures, and any available enforcement records. State systems and terminology vary.
- Ask who will perform the work. If a broker arranged the move, get the carrier's name before the move date. Ask whether another company could take over the shipment.
- Treat reviews as clues, not proof. Look for repeated reports of surprise charges, missed delivery windows, damaged goods, or goods being held for more money. Check more than one platform, because a single rating source can miss patterns.
A USDOT number is an identifier, not a government endorsement. Proof that a company has insurance also does not tell you how much you could recover for a specific item.
Compare written estimates on the same scope
Get at least three written estimates based on the same inventory and service scope. A full-service quote and a labor-only quote aren't comparable.
A useful estimate should address:
- The items being moved and the estimated weight or volume
- Loading, transportation, unloading, and any packing services
- Stairs, elevators, long carries, bulky items, and difficult access
- Storage, shuttle trucks, extra stops, and travel charges
- Packing materials and disposal
- The move dates and delivery window
- Valuation protection, deductibles, and exclusions
- Deposit, cancellation, payment, and additional-charge terms
Binding and nonbinding estimates
A binding estimate generally sets the price for the listed shipment and services, subject to the exceptions in the contract. It may change if you add items, request new services, or provide inaccurate information.
A nonbinding estimate can change when the actual shipment or work differs from the estimate. Don't treat the frequently cited 110% figure as a universal cap on every moving bill. For qualifying interstate transactions, that figure concerns what a mover may collect at delivery on a nonbinding estimate; it isn't a promise that the final price can never be higher. Ask the mover to explain the estimate type and how any later balance will be billed. If the mover can't explain it clearly, ask for the answer in writing before you sign.
Be cautious if a mover:
- Gives a much lower quote without inspecting or reviewing your inventory
- Pressures you to sign immediately
- Requests payment before providing complete written terms
- Leaves fees, inventory, or valuation sections blank
- Changes the legal business name during the booking process
- Won't identify the carrier or explain who is responsible for the shipment
Valuation protection is not the same as insurance
Moving companies use valuation protection to describe their responsibility for lost or damaged household goods. That does not mean every item will be reimbursed at its purchase price.
For an interstate move, Surface Transportation Board (STB) rules require the mover's bill of lading to include a valuation statement. Read that section before loading, not after a loss.
Ask for the exact option in your paperwork and review its limits.
| Protection type | What to check |
|---|---|
| Released value protection | Confirm the per-pound, per-article calculation and whether it reflects the item's actual value. |
| Full Value Protection | Ask whether the mover will repair, replace, or pay for an item; check the declared value, deductible, exclusions, and claim process. |
| Separate insurance or third-party coverage | Find out who issues the policy, who handles claims, and whether it duplicates or changes the mover's valuation terms. |
The Surface Transportation Board's guidance on lost or damaged items shows why released value can fall short. At $0.60 per pound per article, a 20-pound flat-screen television could be valued at only $12, while a 10-pound marble statue could be valued at only $6. The payout follows weight, not retail or sentimental value.
Ask about higher-value items before moving day. The STB guidance describes a form titled "Declaration of Article(s) of Extraordinary (Unusual) Value" for items worth more than $100 per pound. The threshold is based on value per pound, not simply the item's total price. List qualifying items as required and ask what happens if an item isn't declared.
For electronics, antiques, artwork, collectibles, and heirlooms, keep receipts, appraisals, serial numbers, and clear photographs. Confirm in writing whether the selected protection covers pairs, sets, items you packed yourself, and items with existing damage.
Document the shipment before and after loading
Your paperwork and photos can make a claim easier to evaluate.
Before loading:
- Save the estimate, contract, inventory, bill of lading, valuation forms, and payment records.
- Photograph valuable items from several angles, including existing scratches or dents.
- Record model numbers, serial numbers, and approximate purchase dates.
- Make a separate list of high-value items and keep a copy away from the shipment.
During loading and delivery:
- Note pre-existing damage and any new damage on the inventory or delivery paperwork.
- Take photographs of damaged boxes, furniture, appliances, and the condition of the room or truck when relevant.
- Request a copy of anything you sign.
- Don't sign a statement saying the shipment arrived undamaged if that isn't accurate.
- Keep damaged items and packaging when practical until the mover explains the inspection or claim process.
A delivery receipt is not a substitute for a formal claim. Follow the claim instructions in the contract and submit the claim promptly because applicable deadlines can vary.
If goods arrive lost or damaged
Start with the mover's written claim process, even if you booked through a broker.
- Review the signed documents. Identify the carrier, the valuation option, declared high-value items, deductible, and any exclusions.
- Submit an itemized written claim. Include descriptions, photographs, receipts or other proof of value, serial numbers, delivery paperwork, and the resolution you are requesting.
- Keep delivery and submission proof. Save emails, upload confirmations, tracking information, names, and dates.
- Request a written decision. If the mover offers less than requested, ask how it calculated the amount and which contract term it applied.
- Escalate if necessary. For an interstate household move, you can report qualifying problems through FMCSA. For an intrastate move, contact the state agency that regulates movers or the state attorney general's consumer-protection office.
A regulatory complaint and a claim for reimbursement are different. A complaint may help document conduct or prompt an agency review, but it doesn't necessarily result in payment. The STB notes that if a mover denies a claim in whole or in part, a customer may need to pursue arbitration or a lawsuit to seek compensation. Consider getting qualified legal help if the amount or circumstances justify it.
If you suspect theft, identity fraud, or deliberate deception, preserve the advertisements, contracts, payment records, names, phone numbers, and vehicle information. Report suspected criminal conduct to local law enforcement as appropriate.
Common questions about choosing a mover
Is a USDOT number enough to show that a mover is legitimate?
No. It helps identify an interstate carrier or broker, but it doesn't guarantee careful handling, accurate pricing, or a successful claim. Confirm the business identity, operating status, insurance information, contract, and valuation terms.
Can a local mover lack a USDOT number?
Yes. A move that stays within one state may be governed primarily by state requirements rather than federal registration. Check the rules and records of the relevant state agency instead of treating the absence of a USDOT number as conclusive.
Does released value protection reimburse an item's actual price?
Usually, the released-value calculation is based on the item's weight. If your documents use $0.60 per pound per article, an expensive lightweight item could receive far less than its purchase price. Ask about higher-value protection before the move.
Does the 110% rule mean the final bill cannot exceed the estimate?
No. The figure relates to delivery collection in certain interstate nonbinding-estimate situations. It isn't a universal final-price limit for every move, charge, or jurisdiction. Read the estimate and ask the carrier to explain how it applies.
Booking checklist
- [ ] I know whether the move is interstate, intrastate, or commercial.
- [ ] I verified the mover's legal name and contact details.
- [ ] I checked FMCSA or the relevant state authority when applicable.
- [ ] I know whether I am hiring a carrier or a broker.
- [ ] I received a written estimate based on my actual inventory.
- [ ] I understand whether the estimate is binding or nonbinding.
- [ ] I compared all add-on fees, storage terms, and payment requirements.
- [ ] I selected valuation protection after reviewing its limits and deductible.
- [ ] I declared high-value items as required.
- [ ] I saved signed documents and photographed valuable belongings.
- [ ] I know how and where to submit a damage or loss claim.
Run the legal-name lookup before sending money. If the names, price, or valuation terms don't match, pause until the mover explains the difference in writing.