Interstate Moving Companies: What Customers Should Know

Interstate moving companies operate under federal regulation by the FMCSA. Any move that crosses a state line, even a short hop between neighboring suburbs, is legally an interstate move and subject to those rules. Customers gain specific rights as a result, including a written estimate, a delivery window in writing, and the right to file a damage claim within nine months.

Pricing follows a standardized structure. Line haul charges cover transport based on weight and distance. Accessorial charges add up for stairs, long carries, packing, shuttles, and storage. A binding not to exceed estimate caps your price at the quoted figure while allowing it to drop if the actual weight is lower.

Three things every interstate customer should do: verify the carrier’s USDOT number on the federal database, request a binding not to exceed quote in writing, and choose full value protection for valuable items rather than the default sixty cents per pound coverage.

A legitimate interstate moving company will give all of this in writing, in plain language, before payment is requested. Anything less is a reason to keep looking.