Protect Your Move Before You Book

The FMCSA Ready to Move checklist is a consumer resource for interstate household goods moves. It helps customers verify movers, understand required paperwork, review estimates, and spot warning signs before hiring a moving company.

FMCSA regulates interstate household goods movers and provides consumer resources for checking mover registration, understanding required documents, and recognizing moving fraud warning signs before a shipment is loaded.

Use FMCSA Protect Your Move resources to search for the mover, confirm the U.S. DOT number, review operating status, and look at complaint information before booking.

A U.S. DOT number helps identify a registered interstate mover or broker. The number should match the company name and paperwork you receive, and it should be verifiable through FMCSA resources.

A mover physically transports household goods. A broker arranges transportation with another company. Both can be legitimate, but customers should know who is quoting the job, who will handle the shipment, and who is responsible for communication.

For interstate moves, review the written estimate, order for service, bill of lading, inventory, valuation options, delivery spread, payment terms, and claims information before signing.

The written estimate connects the price to the actual scope of the move. It should reflect inventory, origin and destination details, packing, access, storage, valuation, and other services that may affect cost.

Common red flags include no written estimate, pressure to sign blank paperwork, very low quotes, large cash deposits, unclear registration details, no physical address, and refusal to explain valuation, claims, or delivery terms.

Not always, but a quote that is far lower than others should be reviewed carefully. It may leave out inventory, packing, access charges, storage, shuttle service, delivery timing, or other important parts of the move.

For many interstate moves, the mover or broker should gather enough detail to understand the shipment. A complex move quoted sight unseen with very few questions can be a warning sign.

Blank paperwork can be changed later and may leave you without proof of the agreed services, charges, valuation, or delivery expectations. Review documents carefully before signing.

Be cautious with large deposits, cash-only demands, or pressure to pay quickly. Understand what the deposit covers, whether it is refundable, and whether the company collecting payment is the mover or broker.

Valuation is the mover liability option connected to the shipment if items are lost or damaged. It is not always the same as insurance, so customers should review released value and full value protection options before moving.

The bill of lading is a central shipment document for the move. It should be reviewed before the goods are transported because it records important shipment details, terms, and responsibilities.

The inventory helps document what was loaded and may describe item condition. It can be important at delivery and during a claim review if something is missing or damaged.

Ask what changed, request the explanation in writing, compare it to the estimate and inventory, and keep every document. Do not rely only on verbal explanations when charges change.

Keep passports, IDs, medications, keys, legal documents, financial records, jewelry, cash, chargers, valuables, and irreplaceable items with you instead of sending them on the truck.

Document the issue quickly, take photos, keep the item and paperwork, review your valuation selection, and submit the claim in writing through the mover claim process. For interstate moves, follow the time limits in the applicable guidance.

No. This page is a plain-English guide to help customers use FMCSA resources. Customers should still review the official FMCSA Protect Your Move materials for interstate moving requirements.

Forward Van Lines helps customers build a clearer moving plan by reviewing the route, inventory, access, packing, valuation, timing, and service details before move day so there are fewer surprises later.