How to Find and Vet a Moving Company — The Complete Guide to Not Getting Scammed

Every legitimate interstate moving company must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a USDOT number. You can verify any mover at protectyourmove.gov — the FMCSA's consumer protection portal. Check for: active registration, satisfactory safety rating, complaint history, and whether they hold broker authority, carrier authority, or both.

The Difference Between a Carrier and a Broker

A carrier owns trucks and employs the movers who handle your belongings. A broker books your move and hires a carrier — you may never interact with the actual carrier until moving day. Brokers are legal and common but you have less control over who actually handles your move. Always ask upfront: "Are you a carrier or a broker? If a broker, who is the carrier for my move?"

Red Flags in FMCSA Lookup

• Unsatisfactory safety rating
• High complaint-to-shipment ratio
• Registered address that's a P.O. box or residential address
• Registered for less than 2 years (not disqualifying but warrants more scrutiny)
• No liability insurance on file

Non-Binding Estimate

The mover estimates your cost but the final charge is based on actual weight. Legal for the final bill to be up to 110% of the non-binding estimate. This is the estimate type most commonly used in bait-and-switch schemes — the estimate is low, the "actual weight" comes in mysteriously higher on delivery day.

Binding Estimate

The mover is bound to the quoted price regardless of actual weight (assuming no changes to the shipment). This is what you want. Get it in writing, signed by the mover.

Binding Not-to-Exceed Estimate

A binding estimate where the final charge can be lower than quoted if the actual weight comes in under estimate, but cannot be higher. This is the best type of estimate for the consumer.

The In-Home or Video Survey Requirement

A legitimate mover cannot give you an accurate binding estimate over the phone or from a brief online form. They need to see your belongings. Be very suspicious of any company that gives you a firm price over the phone without a survey.

Get at least 3-4 in-home or video estimates for any long-distance move. Moving companies compete on price for the same route. Getting quotes allows you to: identify outliers (an estimate that's 40% lower than others is a red flag, not a deal), compare what's included (packing materials, assembly/disassembly, etc.), and evaluate the professionalism of the company in the estimate process itself.

Moving Company Review Sources

• FMCSA's complaint database at protectyourmove.gov
• Better Business Bureau
• Yelp
• Google Reviews
• Moving-specific review sites

Be skeptical of reviews on the moving company's own website.

The Hostage Load

Mover loads your belongings, then calls on delivery day claiming the weight was much higher than estimated and demanding 2-3x the quoted price. Your belongings are held until you pay. This is extortion — it is also unfortunately legal in some states if you signed a non-binding estimate that allows this. The FMCSA requires that for non-binding estimates, you cannot be required to pay more than 110% of the estimate upon delivery — but the extra amount can be billed and collected later. A binding estimate eliminates this risk entirely.

The Phantom Mover

A company advertises online, takes a deposit, and either never shows up or subcontracts to a random carrier at the last minute. Always verify USDOT registration and never pay more than a small deposit upfront.

The Low-Ball Estimate

Deliberately underestimating to win the job, then adding charges: "Oh, we didn't account for the extra flight of stairs," "These boxes weren't on the estimate," "The long carry at your destination is an additional charge." Read your estimate line by line. Ask specifically about any charge not mentioned.

The Storage Trap

Mover claims your destination isn't ready and puts belongings in storage — then charges daily storage fees and won't release items until paid. Understand your rights around storage timing before you move.

The Missing Valuation Coverage

Movers are required to offer two types of valuation (not insurance) coverage: Released Value Protection (free — pays $0.60/lb per item — a 50-lb TV pays $30 for total loss) and Full Value Protection (costs extra — pays replacement value or repair cost). Most consumers don't know about this choice. Always select Full Value Protection for any items you cannot afford to lose.

Every detail of your move should be in writing:

• Origin and destination addresses
• Inventory list (everything being moved)
• Estimate type (binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed)
• Pickup date and delivery window
• Valuation coverage selection
• Total price and payment terms
• Any additional services included (packing, disassembly, storage)
• The carrier's USDOT number

The Delivery Window

Long-distance movers are not required to deliver on a specific date — they provide a delivery window (often 7-21 business days for cross-country moves). Understand this before you commit. If you have a hard delivery deadline, negotiate this into the contract and get it in writing.

What Happens If Items Are Damaged

File a claim with the moving company in writing within 9 months of delivery for interstate moves. The company must acknowledge your claim within 30 days and deny, settle, or make a firm offer within 120 days.

Moving Company Valuation

Regulated by federal law (FMCSA), provided by the carrier. Two options:

• Released Value Protection — free, pays $0.60 per pound per item
• Full Value Protection — cost varies, pays replacement value or repair cost

Third-Party Moving Insurance

Purchased separately from companies like Baker International, MoveInsure, or through your homeowner's or renter's insurance (check if your policy covers moves). Third-party insurance pays regardless of the mover's liability. For high-value items, third-party insurance fills the gaps that Full Value Protection may leave (e.g., items of extraordinary value like jewelry, fine art, or collectibles that moving companies typically exclude).

What Your Renter's or Homeowner's Insurance Covers

Most policies cover belongings in transit — check your specific policy. This coverage may make separate moving insurance unnecessary. Call your insurer and ask before your move.

Interstate Moves (Crossing State Lines)

Regulated by federal law (FMCSA). USDOT registration required. Federal consumer protection rules apply (including the 110% delivery rule for non-binding estimates, the 30/120-day claims timeline, and valuation requirements).

Intrastate Moves (Within One State)

Regulated by state law, which varies enormously. Some states have strong mover regulation; others have almost none. Research your state's moving regulations for intrastate moves. FMCSA's protectyourmove.gov covers interstate moves; your state's Public Utilities Commission or Department of Transportation handles intrastate.