15 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before You Book

The most important questions to ask a moving company are about its license, its estimate, and its liability coverage. Confirm the mover holds a USDOT number, ask whether the quote is binding or non-binding, and find out exactly how your belongings are protected if something breaks. Those three answers separate a reputable carrier from a costly mistake.

A moving company can sound polished on the phone and still leave you with a doubled bill or a truck that never shows. The defense is not luck — it is a short list of pointed questions, asked before you sign anything. Below are the fifteen that matter most, grouped so you can work through them in a single phone call or in-home estimate.

Start here, because nothing else matters if the company is not legitimate. Any mover that crosses state lines must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carry a USDOT number. Ask for it, then verify it yourself at the FMCSA's Protect Your Move tool, which shows the company's complaint history, years in operation, and whether it meets minimum insurance requirements.

1. **What is your USDOT number?** For interstate moves this is non-negotiable. A mover who hesitates or cannot produce one should be ruled out immediately. 2. **Are you a carrier or a broker?** A carrier owns the trucks and crews. A broker sells your job to a third party you have not vetted. The FMCSA requires both to register, but you want to know which you are hiring before money changes hands. 3. **How long have you operated under this name?** Repeated rebranding can be a way to shed a trail of complaints. 4. **Can you share references or recent reviews?** Cross-check anything they give you against an independent source such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which tracks complaint patterns and how a company resolves them.

If a company stumbles on these four, stop. Our guide on how to find a reputable mover walks through the full vetting process, and how to spot a moving scam covers the warning signs that should end a conversation early.

Price disputes are the number one source of moving complaints, and almost all of them trace back to a vague estimate. Get the numbers in writing and understand what kind of quote you are holding.

5. **Is this estimate binding or non-binding?** A binding estimate locks the price for the listed services. A non-binding estimate can change based on actual weight — and under federal rules a mover cannot require you to pay more than 110 percent of a non-binding estimate at delivery, billing any balance after 30 days. Knowing the difference protects you on delivery day. Our explainer on binding vs. non-binding moving estimates breaks down when each makes sense. 6. **Will you do an in-home or video survey before quoting?** A real estimate is based on seeing your belongings, not a guess over the phone. Quotes given sight-unseen are the ones that balloon later. 7. **What could make the final price change?** Stairs, long carries from truck to door, shuttle vehicles for tight streets, and bulky specialty items all add cost. Ask which apply to you now, not on moving day. 8. **How and when is payment due?** Reputable movers do not demand a large cash deposit up front. A request for hundreds of dollars before they have lifted a box is a classic red flag.

For a fuller picture of what drives a quote up, read the hidden costs of moving before you compare bids.

This is where many people assume they are covered and discover otherwise. Interstate movers must offer two levels of protection, and the default one is thin.

9. **What valuation coverage is included?** By default, movers provide Released Value Protection at no charge — but it pays only about $0.60 per pound per item. A 40-pound television would yield roughly $24 if destroyed. Ask what that figure means for your most valuable belongings. 10. **Can I buy Full Value Protection?** This upgraded coverage requires the mover to repair, replace, or reimburse items at current value. Ask the cost and whether it is worth it for your shipment. 11. **Do you carry the required cargo and liability insurance?** Interstate household-goods movers must maintain federally mandated coverage; the Protect Your Move tool confirms whether they do. 12. **How do I file a claim, and what is the deadline?** Federal rules give you nine months to file a written claim for loss or damage on an interstate move. Confirm the process before you need it.

The final group covers logistics — the details that turn a booked job into a smooth one.

13. **Who handles my move day-of — your crew or a subcontractor?** You want the people loading your truck to work for the company you hired. 14. **What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?** Life shifts. Know the terms before you commit. 15. **How do you resolve disputes?** Interstate movers must offer neutral arbitration for loss, damage, and overcharge claims; for disputes of $10,000 or less, arbitration is mandatory if you request it. A company that explains this calmly is one that expects to stand behind its work.

Asking the questions is half the job. The other half is reading the answers. Use this quick reference to sort a trustworthy reply from a warning sign.

If most answers land in the left column, you have a serious candidate. Two or more in the right column is your signal to keep calling.

**How many moving companies should I get quotes from?** At least three. Comparing several written estimates reveals the market rate and exposes any bid that is suspiciously high or impossibly low. A lowball quote often signals hidden fees later.

**Should a moving company ask for a deposit?** A small deposit to hold a date can be normal, but a demand for a large cash payment before any work begins is a recognized red flag. Reputable movers typically collect payment on or after delivery.

**What is the difference between a moving carrier and a broker?** A carrier owns the trucks and employs the crew that handles your goods. A broker arranges your move with a separate company you have not screened. Both must register with the FMCSA, but ask which one you are actually hiring.

**How do I verify a moving company is licensed?** Ask for the USDOT number and enter it at the FMCSA's Protect Your Move site. It shows licensing status, insurance, years active, and complaint history at no cost.

**What does basic moving insurance actually cover?** The free default, Released Value Protection, reimburses only about $0.60 per pound per item — far below replacement value for most electronics or furniture. Ask about Full Value Protection if you want to be made whole.

**How far ahead should I book a mover?** Aim for four to eight weeks out, and longer for summer moves or month-end dates when demand peaks. Booking early gives you time to ask these questions and compare answers without pressure.

Ask all fifteen, write the answers down, and the company that earns your trust will reveal itself. The few minutes it takes is the cheapest insurance you will buy for the entire move.