MovePricer analyzed Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing and insurance data compiled on October 17, 2026. It shows that 17 Connecticut-based movers with active federal interstate authority had a cargo insurance policy cancelled in the previous 12 months. That is 11.7% of the state's 145 licensed household-goods carriers. Nationally the rate is 11.1%: 943 of 8,473 licensed movers. Connecticut ranks 16th of the 48 states MovePricer ranked on this measure.
As of the compile date, one of those 17 Connecticut movers had no cargo policy on file with FMCSA at all.
A cancellation alone does not prove a mover is uninsured. Movers switch insurers, and a cancelled policy is often replaced, as it was for most of these 17. Still, a cancellation is a good reason to check a mover's current filing before you sign.
What cargo insurance covers
Cargo insurance is the mover's own policy covering loss of or damage to the goods it is carrying. Under FMCSA's insurance filing requirements, for-hire household-goods carriers must carry cargo coverage, and their insurer files proof with FMCSA on form BMC-34 (or a BMC-83 surety bond). The federal minimum listed is $5,000, far less than the value of most households. FMCSA also says that once a carrier has operating authority, it must keep proof of insurance on file or face revocation proceedings.
Why a cancellation matters if your things are lost or damaged
If a mover loses or breaks your belongings, you file your claim against the mover. The cargo policy is a big part of what lets the mover pay that claim. If the policy lapsed while your goods were on the truck, you may end up chasing a company with no insurer behind it.
A cancellation also takes time to show up as enforcement. A mover can keep advertising and booking jobs between the day its policy is cancelled and the day its authority is revoked. That is why it helps to check the filing close to moving day, not just when you first get a quote.
Cargo insurance is not the same as your valuation coverage
Consumers often mix up the mover's cargo insurance with "valuation," which sets how much the mover owes you. On interstate moves, FMCSA describes two levels:
- Full Value Protection is the default. If you don't choose otherwise, your shipment moves at this level. The price depends on the mover and the deductible you pick, so ask for the plan details in writing.
- Released Value Protection costs nothing, and it pays very little: no more than 60 cents per pound per item. FMCSA's example is a 25-pound TV, which would get you just $15. You only get this level if you sign a specific statement on the bill of lading.
Under Full Value Protection, FMCSA also lets movers limit liability for "articles of extraordinary value," meaning items worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry or antiques. That limit applies unless you list those items on the shipping documents.
Valuation decides how much the mover owes you. Cargo insurance is one way the mover pays it. You want both. If you are moving within Connecticut, ask the mover in writing what liability terms apply.
Connecticut's rules and recent warnings
Moves that stay inside Connecticut are regulated by the state Department of Transportation. According to the Department of Consumer Protection, in-state movers must hold a Household Goods Carrier Certificate or Motor Contract Carrier permit from CTDOT. They must also give you a bill of lading after your belongings are loaded. Out-of-state movers must give you the federal booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. The governing statutes are CGS 13b-387 through 13b-414.
CTDOT decisions on new certificates note that no one may operate as a household-goods carrier in Connecticut without a certificate of public convenience and necessity. In deciding whether to grant one, the commissioner considers the applicant's financial responsibility, among other factors.
Scams remain a concern locally. In May 2026, a representative of BBB Connecticut told WFSB about one common pattern: a mover quotes based on an estimated weight without ever seeing the items, then says on delivery day that it will cost twice as much. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has urged FMCSA to crack down on moving fraud, including movers who hold loads hostage for more money. In a federal racketeering case in Ohio, a grand jury charged 12 people tied to moving companies in several states, including Connecticut. Prosecutors said they had identified more than 900 victims.
For complaints about an in-state mover, contact the CTDOT Regulatory and Compliance Unit. For interstate moves, contact FMCSA. The Connecticut Attorney General's office also takes consumer complaints. This article is not legal advice. For questions about your own situation, contact those agencies.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the USDOT and MC numbers for an interstate move, or the CTDOT certificate number for a move within Connecticut.
- Look up the mover's insurance filings with MovePricer's free lookup at movepricer.com/check, or on FMCSA's records. Make sure a cargo policy (BMC-34 or BMC-83) is active today, and check whether one was recently cancelled.
- Check again a few days before the move. Coverage can change after you book.
- Read the valuation section of the bill of lading before you sign. Don't sign for Released Value unless you mean to.
- Be wary of phone-only quotes and large upfront deposits. More guidance is at FMCSA's Protect Your Move pages.