7 Best Ways to Verify Moving Company Credentials for High-Value Shipments

Check DOT Registration and License Numbers

For high-value shipments, start your moving company verification by confirming the mover’s federal authority. Every interstate household-goods carrier must have a USDOT number and an MC (Motor Carrier) operating authority issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These identifiers let you verify mover credentials in the FMCSA databases and validate moving company legitimacy before you hand over antiques, fine art, or sensitive equipment.

Use the FMCSA SAFER and Licensing & Insurance (L&I) portals to check moving company credentials step by step:

Ask the mover for its legal name, USDOT, and MC numbers; they should also appear on estimates and truck doors.
In FMCSA’s Company Snapshot, confirm “Interstate” operation, “Authorized for Hire,” and authority “Active.”
Verify the legal name and any DBA/trade names match the website, estimate, and truck branding.
Check whether it’s listed as a “Carrier,” not a “Broker,” unless you knowingly hired a broker.
Confirm BOC-3 (process agent) is on file and that liability and cargo insurance filings are current.
Review inspection, out-of-service, and crash data for context; unresolved red flags warrant caution.
Look for complaint history and multiple recent name changes—both can signal problems.
For intrastate moves, validate the state license with the appropriate regulator (e.g., CA Public Utilities Commission, Texas TxDMV, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services).

For high-value moves, go beyond licensing to mover certifications and insurance. Request a certificate of insurance naming you or the building as certificate holder and verify policy limits, effective dates, and exclusions. Confirm the carrier offers the FMCSA-required valuation options and review Full Value Protection terms, including deductible choices, coverage caps, and any items needing special declarations.

A practical tip: capture screenshots of the FMCSA records and include the USDOT/MC numbers in your move file. Re-run the search a few days before pickup to ensure the authority and insurance filings are still active.

Reputable interstate mover licensing isn’t hard to confirm—trusted carriers like American Van Lines make their USDOT/MC details easy to find and encourage you to verify them. As interstate moving experts, they pair transparent, flat-rate estimates with Full Value Protection options for peace of mind on high-value shipments. They’re also consistently recognized among top performers, reflecting strong compliance and service standards (see their recent top five movers accolades).

Verify Insurance Coverage and Bonding Requirements

High-value items demand more than a quick glance at a mover’s website. To verify mover credentials, start by confirming the types and limits of coverage the company carries and how those protections apply to your shipment. Insurance protects against third-party claims and employee injuries, while valuation covers your goods—two very different safeguards that both matter for fine art, antiques, and specialty pieces.

Expect three categories of protection: auto/public liability, workers’ compensation, and cargo/valuation. Liability covers bodily injury and property damage caused in transit; workers’ comp protects you from injury claims if a mover is hurt on site (requirements vary by state). For your belongings, movers must offer valuation choices—most commonly Released Value ($0.60 per pound per item) and optional Full Value Protection (FVP), which repairs, replaces, or pays the declared value, subject to a deductible.

Request documentation and confirm details before moving day. Ask the mover to send a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) from their insurer and call the carrier to validate it. For interstate mover licensing, use the FMCSA’s Licensing & Insurance search to ensure the USDOT and MC numbers are active and that liability filings are on record; also check complaint history to validate moving company legitimacy.

What to request and verify:

COI showing policy numbers, limits, expiration dates, and your building’s requirements (additional insured, waiver of subrogation, if needed)
Proof of workers’ compensation in the pickup and delivery states
Written description of valuation options, deductibles, and exclusions (pairs-and-sets, mechanical derangement, atmospheric conditions)
High-value inventory form for items over the mover’s per-item threshold
For intrastate moves, any state-required cargo coverage or bonding; confirm with your state regulator

Understand how valuation changes outcomes. A 120 lb credenza valued at $4,500 would pay just $72 under Released Value, but FVP aims to repair or replace it up to the declared value (minus any deductible). For fragile or unusually shaped pieces, require professional packing or custom crating, as many FVP policies exclude damage when manufacturer packaging or proper crating is absent.

American Van Lines makes moving company verification straightforward. They can issue building-specific COIs, provide Full Value Protection on all moves, and include free basic coverage at $0.60 per pound per article (up to $50,000). Their professional packing and crating for antiques and pianos, transparent estimates, and interstate expertise help reduce risk from the start; learn what to look for in a reputable carrier on their page about long distance mover credentials.

Review FMCSA Safety Records and Compliance History

Before you hand over fine art, antiques, or high-end electronics, use federal data to verify mover credentials. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains authoritative safety and compliance records for interstate carriers, making moving company verification straightforward if you know where to look. Ask for the mover’s USDOT and MC numbers; reputable providers display them on estimates and websites.

Start at FMCSA’s SAFER Company Snapshot (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov) or Protect Your Move mover search (fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move). Confirm the company name and any DBAs match your estimate, then check Operating Status shows “Authorized for Household Goods,” not “Inactive,” “Revoked,” or “Out of Service.” Review the Safety Rating (Satisfactory, Conditional, Unsatisfactory, or Not Rated) and scan the published inspection history and crash data for the last 24 months. Out-of-service rates for vehicles and drivers are listed alongside national averages—significantly worse performance is a caution flag for high-value shipments.

What to check and why:

Operating authority and scope: “Authorized for HHG” with interstate mover licensing active.
Safety rating and compliance history: look for clean reviews and recent audits without adverse actions.
Inspection metrics: vehicle and driver out-of-service rates compared with national averages.
Crash record: number of reportable crashes in the past 24 months.
Insurance filings in FMCSA’s Licensing & Insurance (L&I) system: active BIPD (public liability), household goods cargo insurance, and BOC-3 process agent on file.
Complaint history and enforcement actions via Protect Your Move to validate moving company legitimacy.

Insurance and valuation are separate but related to mover certifications and insurance. Use the L&I system to confirm current insurance carriers and policy types, and ask your mover for a certificate of insurance naming you as certificate holder. For interstate moves, basic carrier liability is only $0.60 per pound per article—insufficient for luxury items—so confirm Full Value Protection is available and that coverage limits match the shipment’s worth.

Red flags include mismatched names, pending revocations, lapsed insurance filings, Conditional/Unsatisfactory ratings, or out-of-service rates far above the posted averages. Established interstate pros like American Van Lines make it easy to check moving company credentials by listing their USDOT and MC numbers and encouraging customers to review FMCSA records. Their GPS-tracked, air-ride trucks and trained crews add peace of mind once the federal boxes are checked—especially when you’re protecting high-value goods.

Confirm AMERIFREIGHT and Industry Association Memberships

For high-value shipments, third-party affiliations offer a quick way to verify mover credentials and validate moving company legitimacy. While these memberships don’t replace interstate mover licensing through the FMCSA, they do signal adherence to ethics, training standards, and dispute-resolution protocols. Use them alongside licensing checks and insurance verification to build a complete moving company verification picture.

Don’t rely on logos alone—always confirm listings in official directories and match the company’s legal name, headquarters location, and USDOT/MC numbers. Start with these reputable bodies:

ATA Moving & Storage Conference (ProMover): Search the ATA directory to confirm active membership and ProMover status. The listing should align with the mover’s USDOT number and corporate name.
International Association of Movers (IAM): Check IAM’s member database for the company’s profile, service scope, and years in membership.
FIDI (FAIM certification): For international shipments, look for FAIM certification and verify it on FIDI’s site; FAIM indicates audited quality systems.
State moving associations: Verify membership with your state’s association (e.g., CMSA in California, SMA in Texas), which often maintains ethical codes and arbitration resources.
Better Business Bureau (BBB): Confirm accreditation and rating, then read pattern-of-complaint summaries, not just the score.

If your relocation includes vehicle transport, apply the same rigor to the auto-shipping provider. For example, if your mover partners with a broker such as AmeriFreight for car shipping, confirm the broker’s FMCSA license (MC number), insurance filings, and complaint history in SAFER and the FMCSA Licensing & Insurance system. This extra step helps you check moving company credentials across all legs of the move and ensures mover certifications and insurance align with your high-value needs.

American Van Lines makes this process straightforward by providing transparent company identifiers and maintaining membership with the ATA. The company’s dedicated crews, specialized handling for antiques and pianos, pad wrapping at no extra cost, and optional Full Value Protection give additional assurance beyond association badges. If you’re comparing providers, use AVL’s easy-to-read, all-inclusive estimate as a benchmark while you verify mover credentials and confirm every affiliation directly in the relevant directories.

Validate Customer References and Moving Company Reviews

For high-value shipments, don’t rely solely on paperwork—use references and review patterns to verify mover credentials. Ask the mover for at least two to three recent customers who shipped comparable items (e.g., estate antiques, a baby grand piano, fine art requiring custom crating). Confirm the jobs mirror your route, inventory type, and service scope so the feedback is truly predictive.

Call each reference and probe for specifics rather than general satisfaction. Use targeted questions like:

What items required specialty packing or custom crates, and who performed it (in-house vs. subcontractor)?
Did the crew use pad wrapping, climate-controlled storage, and air-ride trucks as promised?
Was Full Value Protection offered or did it default to $0.60/lb, and how was item value declared?
Did the final price match a flat-rate estimate, and were add-ons clearly disclosed in advance?
How did the mover inventory and track high-value pieces (e.g., labeled inventory, barcode scans, GPS updates)?
If there was damage, how quickly was the claim resolved and for what amount?
Did the building require a certificate of insurance (COI), and was it provided without delay?

Cross-check references against third-party reviews to strengthen moving company verification. Compare Google, BBB profiles, ConsumerAffairs, Trustpilot, and industry sources such as Move.org and Forbes rankings; also scan FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database and the SAFER snapshot for patterns. Prioritize recency, volume, and concrete mentions of pianos, antiques, crating, or Full Value Protection over vague praise.

Watch for patterns that help validate moving company legitimacy. Red flags include templated five-star bursts on the same day, unresolved BBB complaints, bait-and-switch pricing, or pressure for large cash deposits. Green flags include consistent remarks about careful handling, transparent flat-rate pricing, prompt claim responses, and managers who respond publicly to resolve issues. Pair this with a quick check to confirm interstate mover licensing and mover certifications and insurance to fully check moving company credentials.

American Van Lines provides a useful benchmark: the company is ranked a top mover by outlets such as Forbes, Move.org, Consumer Affairs, Newsweek, and USA Today, and it specializes in antique and piano moving with pad wrapping and air-ride trucks. Customers often highlight clear, all-inclusive flat-rate estimates, GPS-tracked trucks, and the option for Full Value Protection—strong signals when you’re vetting providers. If you’re comparing movers, ask AVL for high-value customer references that match your shipment profile and weigh that feedback against independent reviews.

Inspect Mover Training Certifications and Background Checks

High-value items demand crews with proven skills and clean records. As you verify mover credentials, ask for written proof of how packers, drivers, and foremen are trained, tested, and supervised. Look for a defined curriculum (e.g., fragile packing, wooden crating, stair navigation, hoisting) and refreshers tied to performance or claims trends. For piano, fine art, or antique moves, request a demonstration plan or SOPs that show exactly how your items will be protected.

Industry designations help with moving company verification. Confirm the mover is a current member of the American Trucking Associations’ Moving & Storage Conference and, if applicable, holds the ProMover designation, which requires background screening of the company and adherence to a code of ethics. Safety-oriented credentials such as OSHA-10/30 for crew leads and forklift certification for warehouse staff indicate a culture of training. For interstate mover licensing, drivers operating commercial vehicles should meet FMCSA Driver Qualification File requirements.

Ask for documentation, not just assurances. For high-value shipments, consider requesting:

Training matrix listing modules completed by each crew member (e.g., custom crating, art handling, piano moving)
Crew lead tenure and incident/claims ratios for similar shipments
Proof of participation in a drug and alcohol testing program (FMCSA Clearinghouse for CDL drivers)
Annual MVR checks and valid DOT medical certificates for drivers
Third-party criminal background check policy and cadence, including for temps/subcontractors
Subcontractor use disclosure and vetting standards
Mover certifications and insurance, including a certificate of insurance (liability and workers’ comp)

Drill into job-specific execution. Ask who will be on your crew, whether the same team will handle pack, load, and delivery, and how the company controls chain of custody. Inventory barcoding, pad wrapping as standard practice, and air-ride trucks reduce transit risk; GPS tracking lets you validate location claims in real time. For added assurance, request a pre-move walkthrough where the foreman demonstrates packing methods for a sample high-value piece.

If you want a provider that takes training seriously, American Van Lines employs dedicated, trained crews and specializes in antique and piano moving. As ATA members with nationwide coverage, they can show you their packing and crating standards, outline driver qualifications, and provide transparent documentation—along with options like Full Value Protection—to help you validate moving company legitimacy before you book.

Confirm Full Value Protection and Liability Coverage Options

For high-value shipments, valuation isn’t just a box to tick—it’s how you transfer risk. Full Value Protection (FVP) makes the mover liable to repair, replace with like kind and quality, or cash-settle at current market value for lost or damaged items. Released Value (the basic option) provides only minimal recovery—typically $0.60 per pound per article on interstate moves—so it’s rarely sufficient for art, antiques, or premium electronics. Treat coverage verification as a core step when you verify mover credentials.

Ask the mover to itemize all valuation options in writing on the estimate and the bill of lading, including surcharges, deductibles, and per-item caps. Request the valuation addendum, tariff pages that govern claims and valuation rates, and a sample high-value inventory form. Also obtain a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that shows the insurer, policy numbers, effective dates, limits, and endorsements for auto liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, and cargo; if your building requires it, have the mover issue a COI naming the property manager as additional insured. These documents form the backbone of moving company verification and help validate moving company legitimacy.

Cross-check coverage and authority. Use the FMCSA’s SAFER and Licensing & Insurance systems to confirm interstate mover licensing, USDOT/MC numbers, and active operating authority; then match those details to the company name on your estimate. While FMCSA doesn’t govern valuation contracts directly, interstate movers must provide the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet—review the valuation and claims sections carefully. If you’re shipping high-value items, ask whether appraisals or photos are required to substantiate declared value.

Before you check moving company credentials off your list, get clear answers to these questions:

What’s the default coverage, and is FVP included or optional? Any deductibles?
How is declared value set, and are there per-item limits or special handling for antiques, pianos, or fine art?
What exclusions apply (pairs-and-sets, preexisting mechanical condition, owner-packed boxes)?
What’s the claims process and timeline? Interstate rules typically allow at least 9 months to file a claim.

American Van Lines offers Full Value Protection on all moves and includes free basic coverage at $0.60 per pound per article (up to $50,000), making coverage terms easy to compare. Their trained crews, pad-wrapping at no extra cost, and specialized antique and piano expertise help reduce risk, while transparent, flat-rate estimates and a dedicated Move Coordinator simplify selection of the right valuation—strong signals when you verify mover credentials.