Want to stop getting taken advantage of when you move?
You’ve come to the right place. Moving regulations are in place to protect you from moving scams and help you receive quality service. But let me tell you…
Most people don’t know these rules and regulations until AFTER they’ve been taken advantage of.
In fact, in 2024, 25.87 million Americans moved homes according to recent relocation statistics. That’s over 8% of our population!
Between Facebook updates and snail mail change-of-address cards, you’d think people would know the basic laws that affect them when moving. But they don’t.
Let’s dive into the world of moving regulations:
- How Moving Regulations Work
- What Licensed Movers Must Provide
- How To Tell If Your Mover is Legitimate
- Signs That Indicate SCAMMERS
How Moving Regulations Work
When discussing moving regulations, there are two types of moves to consider.
- Interstate moves.
- Intrastate moves.
They each have different regulations that moving companies must abide by.
Interstate simply means you’re crossing state lines with your move. An intrastate move means you stay within one state.
This matters because it determines which level of government regulates your move.
If you’re moving from New York to Florida, you will be subject to federal regulations.
However, if you’re moving from Tampa to Gainesville, you’d only need to follow state regulations.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal agency responsible for interstate moving regulations. Their job is to establish rules and ensure everyone follows them when moving from state-to-state.
With 738,000 new residents coming to Florida each year, they’re one of the busiest mover’s rights destinations in the country. Finding affordable moving pros Florida residents can trust is more important than ever.
In order for movers to operate across state lines, they must first acquire a USDOT number from the FMCSA. This number certifies that they are registered with the federal government to move your possessions.
If an interstate moving company does not have this number, they’re operating illegally.
Each state has its own guidelines for intrastate moving companies.
In Florida, every mover is required to register annually with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
According to recent moving industry statistics, the moving industry totals $23.2 billion in 2024. That’s a lot of cash!
With great profit comes great risk. The money flowing through this industry attracts both honest hard-workers and scam artists.
What Licensed Movers Must Provide
Interstate moving companies are required by federal law to provide you with specific documents.
There is no negotiation here. These are requirements that all movers must follow.
The FMCSA Handbook
“This Is Your Guide to Moving” aka “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.”
It’s an 18-page booklet handed to you by your mover that explains your basic rights, how to dispute claims, and who to contact if you feel your rights have been violated.
Bill of Lading
Think of this as your moving agreement.
It contains all the details of your move. Names, addresses, items being moved, costs and insurance information. You’ll sign your Bill of Lading before moving day arrives.
Never sign a blank Bill of Lading. You should know exactly what you’re signing before making your mark.
Written Cost Estimate
Hourly or flat rate, your mover is required to give you an estimated guess at how much your move will cost.
Binding (guaranteed price) or non-binding (estimated price), there can be no hidden fees. Everything you’re paying for should be detailed on this estimate.
Insurance Coverage
Let me throw something else at you…
All movers are required by law to offer you two different types of insurance.
Released Value: This is the cheap insurance they try to get you to accept. It costs you $0 and provides $0.60 protection per pound per item.
Say they lose your 50lb television. You get $30 back.
Full Value: This insurance option costs extra, but it actually covers your items. If they break your TV, they’ll repair or replace it under this policy.
How To Tell If Your Mover is Legitimate
Knowing how to quickly spot if a moving company is legit is easy.
Their USDOT number.
All interstate moving companies are required to display their USDOT number anywhere they do business.
On their website. On their documents. On their trucks.
Enter their number on the FMCSA website and it will tell you in 30 seconds if your mover is legitimate.
Not only will you discover:
- If they’re properly registered to do business
- Whether their insurance is up to date
- They’re allowed to haul household goods
- Any complaints that have been filed against them
You’ll also be able to access their previous safety audits. These are done by the FMCSA every few years to make sure companies follow safety guidelines.
Cool huh?
Besides checking their DOT number, always read reviews online, check with the BBB, and get written estimates from at least 3 different companies.
Signs That Indicate SCAMMERS
Let’s chat about the giant red flags that should make you run for the hills.
Cash Upfront or Large Deposits
Professional moving companies will not require cash payments or large deposits before your move. Steer clear if they ask you to pay in cash only.
No Physical Address or USDOT Number
Running a legit moving business isn’t cheap. Most companies have a physical address you can look up.
No address = scam.
The Estimate is Crazy Low Compared to Others
Alright let’s talk about estimates…
Let’s say Company A gives you an estimate of $2,000. But then you call Company B and they say $5,000.
Pick up a red flag!
Unless your house only has a few small boxes, something isn’t right.
These super low bids are a common scam. They want to lure you in with a low price, then steal your possessions on moving day.
If they haven’t packed your items by then, they’ll tell you it’ll cost double or triple to actually move your stuff.
They know you won’t waste your time unpacking everything and starting over. So they hold your items hostage until you pay.
They Show Up Driving Rental Trucks
Real moving companies own their trucks. You should expect to see movers driving trucks with the company logo on them.
If they pull up in a rented U-Haul… you’ve got problems.
What Happens If Moving Companies Break Regulations
Your local moving scammers could face some hefty penalties.
The FMCSA can issue fines up to $1,000 per incident on companies that operate without necessary licenses or fail to follow safety procedures.
Fines aren’t all these crooked companies face.
Customer lawsuits, government shutdowns, criminal charges (yes, criminal), and loss of reputation are a few others.
Know Your Rights If Something Goes Wrong
Moving scams happen, even with legit companies.
If your belongings are lost or damaged, you have every right to file a claim with the moving company. They’re then required to acknowledge your claim in a reasonable time period.
They don’t get your word? You can file a report with the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Signing your delivery receipt does not mean you can’t file a claim if there is an issue with your move. However, if you note damages on the receipt when you receive your goods, you have a stronger case.
Bringing It All Together
As you can see, moving scams are prevalent because most people aren’t aware of their rights as a consumer when moving.
Remember…
If they’re moving you between states, they need authorization from the federal government.
Moving inside one state? They need a state license.
Regardless of which designation they fall under, movers are required by law to give you certain documents. If they don’t, they’re running illegally.
You have the right to verify their documentation. Check their DOT number on the FMCSA website. Read your Bill of Lading before signing it. Get everything in writing.
These simple steps can save you from 99% of all moving scams.
But if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Trust your gut. You can always find another moving company.