How to verify a moving company’s license and insurance
Registration, operating authority, and insurance are related but separate checks. Review each one before an interstate household move.
Start with registration and role
Search the company’s legal name or USDOT number in the official mover database. Confirm whether the entity is registered as a carrier, broker, or both and whether the contact details match the company you are dealing with.
A broker arranges transportation; the carrier physically transports the shipment. If a broker assigns a carrier, verify the assigned carrier separately.
Confirm operating authority
Look for authority covering the service being sold. A company may have a federal record while a particular authority is inactive, pending, or not applicable to household-goods transportation. Ask the company to explain any status that is unclear.
Check current insurance evidence
Use FMCSA’s official Licensing & Insurance source for current filings. Confirm the legal entity and authority being insured. Insurance and authority can change, so repeat this check shortly before pickup.
Do not treat a certificate emailed by a salesperson as a substitute for matching the official company and current filing.
Questions when a broker is involved
- Which carrier will arrive at pickup?
- What is that carrier’s legal name and USDOT number?
- Who provides valuation coverage and handles a claim?
- When can I verify the assigned carrier’s authority and insurance?
Official sources and scope
Setly summarizes consumer decision points and does not certify, approve, recommend, or guarantee a mover. Verify changing registration, authority, insurance, complaint, and safety information directly with the official source before paying and again before pickup.
Movers cannot pay to change Setly’s findings.
Commercial relationships, if introduced, will be labeled and kept separate from report evidence.