Of the 476 household-goods movers based in New Jersey that hold active federal operating authority, 86 (18.1%) had a cargo insurance policy cancelled in the 12 months before October 17, 2026. That comes from MovePricer's review of FMCSA licensing and insurance data. Nationally, the share is 11.1%, or 943 of 8,473 licensed movers. New Jersey has the third-highest share of the 48 states ranked.
A cancellation doesn't prove a mover is uninsured. Movers often switch insurers or replace a policy. But 8 New Jersey movers with active federal licenses have no cargo policy on file with FMCSA today. The national count is 51.
What cargo insurance covers
Cargo insurance is the mover's own policy. It covers the goods the company is carrying and can protect against damage to the cargo, as well as losses due to theft or other causes. Only household goods (HHG) motor carriers are required to file evidence of cargo insurance with FMCSA. The federal minimums are low: $5,000 per vehicle, $10,000 per occurrence. That is often far less than what a household's belongings are worth.
Why a cancellation matters
FMCSA has a set process when an insurer drops a mover. The first notice goes out three days after FMCSA learns the policy will be cancelled at the end of 30 days. It tells the carrier to show full compliance with insurance requirements within 30 days. If the carrier still hasn't complied after 30 days, FMCSA issues a final decision revoking its operating authority.
So a mover can still look licensed while its coverage is running out. On FMCSA's public record, a 'No' in the insurance compliance field means the company either has no active authority, or is not in compliance and may be subject to revocation proceedings. If your things are damaged or lost, the mover's cargo policy is often what pays a claim. Without one, getting paid may depend on whether the company can cover the cost itself.
Cargo insurance vs. released value and full value protection
These two things often get mixed up. Valuation is the level of liability you choose with the mover. Cargo insurance is the mover's policy that helps it pay for that liability. FMCSA says two levels of liability apply to interstate moves: Full Value Protection and Waiver of Full Value Protection, or Released Value.
- Released value comes at no extra charge. The mover is liable for no more than 60 cents per pound, per article. In FMCSA's example, a 10-pound stereo part worth $1,000 would bring no more than $6.00.
- Full value protection costs more. It means movers are liable for replacing, repairing, or making cash settlements for lost or damaged items.
- Third-party insurance: if you choose released value, some movers may offer to sell or get you separate liability insurance. You pay for it separately; it isn't included in the basic move.
Full value protection is only a promise from the mover. If the mover has no cargo coverage, there may be little money behind that promise. Ask your own homeowner's or renter's insurer what, if anything, it covers while your goods are in transit.
New Jersey's rules and recent enforcement
The FMCSA rules above apply to moves across state lines. Moves within New Jersey fall under the state. State law requires all intrastate movers (those doing residential moves that start and end in New Jersey) to be licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. They must also carry cargo liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and bodily injury and property damage insurance. The Division gets hundreds of consumer complaints about moving companies each year. Complaints include lost, damaged or delayed deliveries, and movers refusing to release belongings unless customers paid much more than the quote.
The state keeps running undercover stings, in which investigators book movers for a fake job:
- October 2025: A two-day sting in Hamilton Township (Mercer County) led to notices of violation and $5,000 civil penalties against 11 moving companies working without a Division license. Truck inspections found 45 motor vehicle safety violations.
- June 2024: 23 unlicensed movers received notices of violation and civil penalties totaling $125,000. Attorney General Matthew Platkin said such operators "often lack the necessary skills, experience, and insurance to protect the belongings entrusted to them."
- August 2023: The operation found 34 unlicensed moving companies, which received notices of violation for failing to register with the Division.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the USDOT number in writing and look it up with MovePricer's free tool at movepricer.com/check. You can also use FMCSA's Licensing and Insurance system: go to li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov, select Continue, then choose Carrier Search. You can also call (800) 832-5660.
- Check for cargo coverage on file and look for any pending cancellation, not just an 'active' status.
- For a move within New Jersey, confirm the company holds a license from the state Division of Consumer Affairs.
- Get your valuation choice in writing on the bill of lading, and ask whether the mover has any limits for high-value items.
- If something goes wrong, file a complaint at protectyourmove.gov or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238). State attorneys general and consumer affairs agencies are responsible for pursuing suspected moving fraud. In New Jersey, that's the Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs. This article is not legal advice; for questions about your rights, contact FMCSA or the attorney general's office.
Data: FMCSA licensing and insurance, revocation and out-of-service datasets (data.transportation.gov), compiled by MovePricer on October 17, 2026. 'Licensed movers' means household-goods carriers with active federal (interstate) operating authority, counted by business address.