You are handing a company nearly everything you own and asking them to drive it across state lines. Ten minutes of checking before you sign is the best protection you have.
Step 1: verify the license
Any company that moves household goods across state lines must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a USDOT number. You can look up any mover by name or number on FMCSA’s website and see whether its authority is active, its insurance is on file, and its complaint history.
Step 2: know whether it is a carrier or a broker
A carrier owns trucks and performs the move. A broker arranges the move and hands it to a carrier. Both are legal, but you should know which one you are dealing with and, if it is a broker, which carrier will show up at your door.
Step 3: insist on a survey and a written estimate
A trustworthy estimate is based on a look at your belongings, either in person or by video, and it is put in writing. Be cautious of any price given without asking what you are moving.
Step 4: compare like with like
Line up the estimated weight, the type of estimate, the services included and the valuation coverage. A quote that is far below the others usually has a lower weight estimate, which can mean a higher bill later if the estimate is non-binding.
Red flags
- A large cash deposit is demanded before the move.
- The estimate is verbal only, or you are asked to sign blank or incomplete documents.
- The company has no local address and no USDOT number on its website or paperwork.
- The phone is answered with a generic “movers” or “moving company” instead of the business name.
- The truck that arrives is an unmarked rental.
- You are told all goods are covered by “their insurance” with no explanation of valuation options.
Documents you should receive
- A written estimate.
- The federal booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.
- An order for service and, on moving day, a bill of lading and an inventory.
- Information about the mover’s dispute settlement or arbitration program.