Sixteen of the 112 Oregon-based household-goods movers with active federal (interstate) operating authority had a cargo insurance policy cancelled in the 12 months ending October 24, 2026. That's according to MovePricer's analysis of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) licensing and insurance data. It works out to 14.3% of the state's licensed movers. Nationally the figure is 10.9% (920 of 8,473), which ranks Oregon 6th of the 48 states that were ranked.
A cancellation doesn't always mean a mover has no insurance today. Movers often switch insurers or renew with a new policy, and the old one then shows up as cancelled. But as of the date the data was pulled, 1 of the 16 Oregon movers had no cargo policy on file with FMCSA. Nationwide, 51 licensed movers were in that position.
What cargo insurance covers
Cargo insurance pays when goods on a mover's truck are lost or damaged, for example by theft, fire, water damage or a crash. For most trucking there is no federal minimum for cargo coverage, but household-goods movers are an exception. Interstate household-goods carriers must carry at least $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. Their insurer files proof with FMCSA on Form BMC-34, or the carrier files a surety bond on Form BMC-83.
Oregon has its own rules for moves that start and end inside the state. A for-hire move between two Oregon points requires a certificate of authority from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). To get certified, ODOT reviews a company's insurance and bond filing history, criminal background checks and safety record. One published summary of the state's requirements puts the minimum at $10,000 in cargo insurance.
Why a cancellation matters if something goes wrong
A mover's cargo policy is a large part of the money behind its promise to pay damage claims. Say a policy lapses and your shipment is then stolen or destroyed in a crash. You may end up relying on the mover's own funds, and a small company may not have enough. Even when a mover switches insurers smoothly, the filing history shows when policies started and ended. That gives you a fair question to ask before you sign: who insures my shipment, and is that policy active on my moving date?
The federal minimums are also low next to what a household is worth. $10,000 per occurrence may not cover a full truckload of furniture and electronics. That's why the type of protection in your contract matters too.
Cargo insurance vs. released value and full value protection
These get mixed up, but they're different things. Cargo insurance is the mover's own policy. Valuation is how much the mover is legally liable to you, and it's set in your moving contract. Federal rules require interstate movers to offer two valuation options:
- Full Value Protection. The mover must repair the item, replace it, or pay to restore its original kind and quality. The minimum value used to price this coverage is $6.00 per pound times the weight of the shipment. It costs extra. It's also the option you get unless you give it up in writing.
- Released Value. There's no charge, but the mover owes no more than 60 cents per pound per item. FMCSA's example: a 10-pound stereo component worth $1,000 would bring at most $6.
Movers may also offer to sell you separate third-party insurance. Valuation decides how much the mover owes you. Cargo insurance is one way the mover is able to pay it. For moves within Oregon, movers must give you ODOT's General Information Bulletin for Moving Household Goods in Oregon, which explains estimates, loss and damage claims, and complaints. Read it before moving day.
What Oregon regulators are doing
On August 20, 2026, ODOT ran an undercover operation in Clackamas County with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Beaverton police and Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission. Four unauthorized moving companies were cited, and ODOT said each would get a $3,000 civil penalty. The penalty went up from $1,000 under Senate Bill 839, which also extended penalties to companies that offer or advertise moves without authorization. ODOT ran a similar operation in Clackamas County in June 2025, and seven companies took part.
The Oregon Attorney General's office has described complaints about movers that range from faking the weight of a shipment to holding belongings until the customer pays more. Its guidance: start with the mover (or the broker, if you used one). Then file a complaint with ODOT if the move was entirely within Oregon, or with the federal government if it crossed state lines. The Oregon Department of Justice consumer hotline is 1-877-877-9392. For legal questions, talk to a private attorney.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the numbers. Ask for the mover's USDOT number and, for moves within Oregon, its ODOT certificate number.
- Look up the record. Enter the USDOT number at movepricer.com/check, a free lookup that shows a mover's federal authority, insurance filings and cancellations. You can also search FMCSA's records through Protect Your Move.
- Confirm Oregon certification for moves within the state using ODOT's list of authorized movers.
- Choose valuation on purpose. Decide whether 60 cents per pound is enough before you sign, and get your choice in writing.
- Report problems to FMCSA for interstate moves, and to ODOT or the Oregon Department of Justice for moves within Oregon.
Data: FMCSA licensing and insurance, revocation and out-of-service datasets (data.transportation.gov), compiled by MovePricer on October 24, 2026. Movers are counted by business address.