Interstate movers are required to keep cargo insurance on file with federal regulators. A MovePricer review of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records found that 57 of Virginia's 353 federally licensed movers had a cargo insurance policy cancelled in the 12 months before October 17, 2026. That is 16.1%. Nationally the share is 11.1% (943 of 8,473 licensed movers), and Virginia ranks 4th of the 48 states we ranked.
Seven of those Virginia movers have no cargo policy on file with FMCSA today, even though their federal operating authority still shows as active. Across the country, 51 licensed movers are in that position.
A cancellation alone doesn't prove a mover is uninsured. Companies change insurers, and a new policy can replace the old one. But it's a good reason to check a mover's record before you sign anything.
What the numbers cover
In this report, "licensed movers" means household-goods carriers with active federal (interstate) operating authority whose business address is in Virginia. MovePricer has 1,002 Virginia movers on record in total. The figures come from FMCSA's licensing and insurance, revocation and out-of-service datasets published on data.transportation.gov, compiled by MovePricer on October 17, 2026. The 12-month window covers the year before that date.
What cargo insurance is
Cargo insurance pays for the goods a mover is carrying if they are damaged or lost, for example in a fire, theft or crash. FMCSA's insurance filing requirements list a $5,000 cargo insurance minimum for for-hire household-goods carriers. Insurers file proof of that coverage on Form BMC-34 or BMC-83. Under 49 CFR §387.303, the minimum is $5,000 per vehicle and $10,000 per occurrence. FMCSA also says that once a company has operating authority, it must keep proof of insurance on file to avoid revocation proceedings.
Why a cancellation matters if something goes wrong
If your shipment is lost or ruined, the claim goes to the mover. An insurance policy behind that mover means there is money to pay claims. Without one, you may be trying to collect from a small company with no insurer. The federal minimum is also low: $10,000 per occurrence is far less than the contents of many homes are worth. A mover whose coverage has lapsed, or who is between policies, gives you even less to fall back on.
Cargo insurance vs. released value and full value protection
Many people mix up the mover's cargo insurance with the "protection" level they choose on their own paperwork. These are different things.
- Released Value. This option costs nothing extra, but the mover is liable for only 60 cents per pound per article. FMCSA's example: a 10-pound stereo component worth $1,000 would bring $6. You have to sign a specific statement on the bill of lading or contract to choose it.
- Full Value Protection. FMCSA calls this the most comprehensive option. It raises the cost of your move, and the mover's first cost estimate must include it.
FMCSA's valuation guide says neither option is an insurance policy governed by state insurance law. Both are federal contractual levels of liability. In other words, full value protection is the mover's promise to pay. The mover's cargo insurance is one of the things that helps it keep that promise. If you want coverage that doesn't depend on the mover, ask about separate third-party moving insurance.
Virginia's rules for in-state moves
The federal data covers interstate authority. Virginia also licenses movers for moves within the state. According to the Virginia DMV, a mover that carries household goods more than 30 miles from where the move started needs Household Goods Carrier authority. A mover that stays within 30 miles needs Property Carrier authority, unless it is exempt under Va. Code § 46.2-2101. The DMV's household goods carrier page lists a bond or letter of credit among the required documents. It also notes that the certificate covers operations only inside Virginia. A mover may hold a state certificate, federal authority or both. Check the one that matches your move.
Enforcement in Virginia
The Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section posts its lawsuits and settlements online. The list includes a complaint against a business named 5 Star Network Moving. A complaint contains allegations, not findings, and you can read the filing itself on the attorney general's site. If you believe a mover has treated you unfairly, contact the attorney general's office and FMCSA. For legal questions, talk to a lawyer. This article is not legal advice.
How to check a mover before you sign
- Get the company's USDOT number and look it up at movepricer.com/check, MovePricer's free mover lookup. It shows the mover's federal authority and insurance record.
- Make sure the authority is active and a cargo policy is on file. If the record shows a recent cancellation, ask the mover for its current insurer and policy number.
- For moves inside Virginia, confirm the mover's DMV authority.
- Read the valuation section of the bill of lading before you sign. Know whether you are choosing Released Value or Full Value Protection.
- Report problems to FMCSA and the Virginia Attorney General.