Moving Company Insurance Explained: Full vs Released Value Protection, Cargo, Auto and Cost

Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Syed Sarim Naqvi

Moving company insurance combines commercial auto, general liability, workers’ compensation and cargo cover for customers’ belongings, and federal rules require interstate movers to offer two valuation options: free released value protection of about 60 cents per pound per item, or paid full value protection at replacement cost. Insureon reports averages of about $876 a month for commercial auto, $755 for workers’ comp and $120 for general liability.

Key Takeaways

Insureon and TechInsurance report averages of $876 a month ($10,512 a year) for commercial auto, $755 a month ($9,058) for workers’ comp and $120 a month ($1,440) for general liability
Interstate movers must offer released value (minimal, free) and full value protection (replacement value, for an added charge)
Released value pays about 60 cents per pound per article and must be offered at no additional charge
General liability does not cover customers’ belongings in your truck, which is what cargo cover is for
Interstate movers need a USDOT number and must meet FMCSA insurance rules, while states set their own requirements for local moves

What Insurance Do Moving Companies Need?

The District of Columbia’s insurance regulator explains that moving companies face two main risk categories: damage to company-owned assets, and liability for customers’ property and injuries. Its fact sheet lists mover’s cargo insurance, commercial general liability, commercial auto liability, a business owner’s policy, bonds, key person cover and umbrella liability as the building blocks. TechInsurance adds that each state has its own licensing and insurance requirements, and interstate movers must get a USDOT number and follow FMCSA rules for household goods movers.

Which Policies Make Up a Mover’s Program?

Policy	What It Covers	Average Cost (Insureon)
Commercial auto	Trucks and vans, with liability and physical damage	$876 a month
General liability	Third-party injuries and property damage, such as a scratched floor	$120 a month
Workers’ compensation	Mover injuries from lifting and loading	$755 a month
Cargo (mover’s cargo)	Customers’ furniture and belongings in your care and in transit	Varies by limits and operations
BOP and umbrella	Bundled liability and property, and extra liability limits	Varies

How Does Valuation Coverage Work?

TechInsurance and Insureon explain that the FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer customers two types of liability coverage, called valuation coverage. Released value protection offers minimal reimbursement at no charge: TechInsurance puts it at 60 cents per pound per article. Full value protection makes the mover liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged items, and customers pay extra for it, often through a deductible that can reduce the cost. MyMove adds that the cost varies by company, that both options are federal contractual tariff levels, not state-regulated insurance, and that one national mover’s standard full value amount is calculated at $6 per pound of estimated shipment weight, with an inventory required for items worth $100 or more per pound.

Released value: minimal and free; a customer must sign to show they accept it
Full value protection: replacement value; a percentage of shipment value in many programs
High-value items: FMCSA lets movers limit liability for items over $100 per pound

How Much Does Moving Company Insurance Cost?

Insureon’s moving page reports $876 a month for commercial auto, $120 for general liability and $755 for workers’ comp. Those averages mean workers’ comp and commercial auto make up most of the bill. As an illustration only, the three averages together are about $1,751 a month, or roughly $21,000 a year, before cargo cover, which varies with limits and operations. TechInsurance says costs depend on factors such as the number of employees, the value of goods handled and the fleet.

What Do States and Federal Rules Require?

TechInsurance gives examples of state requirements: one state requires $10,000 per shipment in liability for household goods loss or damage, and another requires $750,000 of public liability and property damage plus a minimum of $10,000 of cargo cover. A surety bond guide notes interstate freight brokers must also buy a freight broker bond, unlike carriers. Check your state’s licensing office and the FMCSA rules before buying, since requirements for local and interstate moves differ.

How Does This Connect to the Rest of Specialty Insurance?

Mover cover borrows from several guides. See Trucking Insurance Explained, Commercial Auto Insurance Explained and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Explained. For goods in transit, read Marine Cargo Insurance Explained, for bonds Surety Bonds Explained, and for bundles Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Explained.

FAQ

What insurance do movers need?

Commercial auto, general liability, workers’ compensation and cargo, plus bonds and licences depending on the state and whether moves cross state lines.

What is released value protection?

Minimal free coverage, about 60 cents per pound per article, which customers must sign to accept.

What is full value protection?

A paid option making the mover liable for replacement value of lost or damaged goods.

Does general liability cover customers’ belongings?

No. Cargo cover handles belongings in your truck and care.

How much does moving company insurance cost?

Insureon averages $876 a month for commercial auto, $755 for workers’ comp and $120 for general liability.

Do interstate movers need a USDOT number?

Yes, and they must comply with FMCSA insurance rules for household goods movers.

Are movers’ bonds required?

Some states and freight brokers require bonds, so check licensing rules.

Glossary

Released Value Protection: minimal free coverage based on weight.
Full Value Protection: replacement-value coverage for an extra charge.
Valuation Coverage: the liability options movers must offer customers.
Mover’s Cargo: cover for customers’ goods in the mover’s care.
USDOT Number: a federal identifier for interstate carriers.
Freight Broker Bond: a surety bond required of freight brokers.

Sources

Insureon: Moving Company Insurance Cost (averages, valuation coverage)
TechInsurance: Moving Company Insurance (released value rate, state examples)
TechInsurance: Moving Company Insurance Cost (cost factors, USDOT requirements)
DC Department of Insurance: Moving Company Business Insurance Fact Sheet (policy types, two risk categories)
MyMove: What Is Moving Insurance? (full value details, federal tariff levels)
Surety Bonds Direct: Moving Company Bond and Insurance Requirements (freight broker bond)
Great Guys Moving: Moving Insurance (FMCSA insurance types, $100-per-pound rule)

Published October 2026. Prices, valuation rates and requirements vary by insurer, state and federal rules and change often; always confirm FMCSA and state requirements before operating, and refresh this article periodically.

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