Almost nobody reads this part of the paperwork, and it’s the part that decides what happens if a dresser gets gouged. Here’s the distinction that matters: movers sell valuation, which is a level of carrier liability. Insurance companies sell insurance. They are not the same product.

Released value protection — the free default

Under federal rules for interstate moves, released value protection is included at no extra charge and pays 60 cents per pound, per article. A 40-pound flat-screen worth $1,200 is worth $24 under released value. If you sign nothing else, this is what you have.

Full value protection — the real coverage

With full value protection, the carrier is liable for the repair, replacement, or cash settlement of a damaged or lost article. It costs extra, the amount depends on your declared shipment value, and deductibles vary. For a household of furniture and electronics it is almost always the right purchase. FMCSA explains both options in plain language on its Protect Your Move site.

What your homeowners policy does and doesn’t do

Many homeowners and renters policies cover belongings in transit only in limited circumstances, and often exclude damage caused by a third-party mover. Call your agent and ask two specific questions: is property in transit covered, and is mover-caused damage excluded? Get the answer in writing. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners publishes neutral consumer guidance if you want background before that call.

Documentation that makes a claim winnable

1. Photograph every significant item, from multiple angles, before wrap.
2. Photograph existing damage too — it prevents disputes in both directions.
3. Keep the inventory sheet and note any pre-existing condition codes at pickup.
4. Inspect at delivery before signing, and note damage on the delivery paperwork in writing on the spot.
5. File the claim in writing within the deadline in your contract; interstate carriers must give you a claims process.

Where damage actually comes from

• Unpadded contact between two hard items on a moving truck.
• Stretch wrap applied directly to a finished or leather surface for a long haul.
• Under-filled boxes collapsing under load.
• Improper tiering — heavy items stacked on light ones.
• Doorway and stair contact where no protection was installed.

That’s why our crews pad and wrap indoors, protect every doorway and banister, and tier heavy-to-light. Prevention is cheaper than any claim, for both of us.

Moving is one of the few large purchases most people make with almost no way to inspect the product beforehand. That gap is exactly where bad operators live. These are the checks we’d run if we were the customer — and yes, run them on us too.

1. Verify the license before anything else

For interstate moves, look the company up by name or USDOT number in the FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot. You’re checking that operating authority is active, that insurance is on file, and that the legal name matches the name on your paperwork. FMCSA’s Protect Your Move portal is the consumer front door for all of this.

2. Confirm carrier vs. broker, in writing

A broker sells your job to a carrier you have never spoken to. Brokers are legal and must be registered, but they must also disclose their status. If the company won’t say plainly which one it is, walk.

3. Insist on a survey, not a phone number

A price given over the phone in ninety seconds without seeing your home is a marketing number, not an estimate. Video surveys are fine and fast; no survey at all is a red flag.

4. Read reviews for patterns, not scores

• Look for reviews that name a crew, a town, and a specific item — those are real.
• Check how the company replies to its negative reviews. That’s the service you’ll get if something breaks.
• Cross-check Google against the BBB and FMCSA complaint history.
• Distrust a perfect record. Every busy mover has had a bad day.

5. Understand what ‘insured’ actually means

“Licensed and insured” usually refers to cargo and liability coverage, which is not the same as the valuation coverage on your belongings. Ask for both: the carrier’s coverage, and the valuation option applied to your shipment. We break the difference down in our guide to moving insurance and valuation.

6–12. The rapid-fire checks

1. Does the written estimate state crew size and estimated hours?
2. Is travel time or a truck fee disclosed as a specific number?
3. Are stairs, long carries, and shuttle charges spelled out, or discovered on the day?
4. Who moves specialty items — the same crew, or a subcontractor?
5. What’s the claims process, and what’s the filing deadline?
6. Are the crew employees or day labor? Ask directly.
7. Will the company put the arrival window and the total in one document you both sign?

A legitimate mover will answer all twelve of these without hesitating. That willingness is the actual product you’re buying.