Business Insurance for Moving Companies
A $12,000 custom dresser falls off the truck, smashed. Or a mover injures their back lifting a piano — $60,000 in medical bills. Moving company insurance covers both. Here's the complete guide.
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Coverage Types for Moving Companies
These are the key insurance policies most relevant to your business type — ranked by importance.
Commercial Auto
RequiredCovers your moving trucks against accidents, liability for injuries to other drivers, and physical damage to your vehicles. FMCSA requires commercial auto liability for interstate movers — minimum $750,000 CSL for smaller movers, $1M-$5M+ for larger operations. State DOTs set requirements for intrastate movers. Your fleet of moving trucks is your largest insurable asset.
Cargo / Moving Liability
RequiredCovers customer belongings in your care against damage during loading, transport, and unloading. Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 375) require interstate movers to offer released rate (60 cents/pound) and full value protection. A serious claim involving antique furniture, electronics, or a piano can easily reach $25,000-$100,000+.
Workers' Compensation
RequiredMoving is physically demanding — back injuries, strains, falls, and hand/finger injuries from heavy furniture are constant risks. Moving WC class codes are rated as heavy labor, running $8-$20 per $100 of payroll in many states. WC is mandatory in virtually all states with employees.
General Liability
RequiredCovers property damage to customer homes during moves (scuffed walls, damaged flooring, broken fixtures from furniture contact) and third-party bodily injury. Moving GL is separate from cargo coverage — GL covers damage to the building/home; cargo covers damage to the customer's belongings.
Garage / Storage Liability
RecommendedIf you provide storage services (storing customer belongings between moves), storage liability covers customer property in your warehouse or storage facility against fire, theft, and damage. Standard cargo coverage may not extend to property stored in your facility — verify explicitly.
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What You Need to Know
- →FMCSA registration is required for all interstate movers — you must have a valid USDOT number and MC number. FMCSA requires minimum liability insurance filings (BMC-91 or BMC-91X forms) as a condition of operating authority.
- →Your commercial auto policy must cover all drivers — movers frequently use day laborers or seasonal workers. All drivers need to be listed or have an open-driver endorsement, and driver records should be verified.
- →Cargo coverage limits should match your customer profile — if you move high-value homes (pianos, antiques, fine art), ensure cargo limits reflect your realistic maximum exposure on any single move.
- →Released rate (60 cents/pound) is the federal minimum liability for interstate movers — this is woefully inadequate for most household goods. Always offer and document full value protection to customers.
- →Never misclassify employees as independent contractors to avoid WC — the DOL and state agencies actively audit moving companies. Misclassification results in back taxes, penalties, and uncovered WC claims.
What Does It Cost?
Single moving truck (local only): $400-$700/month for commercial auto + cargo + GL. Small moving company (2-3 trucks): $800-$1,500/month adding WC. Multi-truck fleet (5+): $1,500-$4,000+/month depending on fleet value and cargo limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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