Most people assume their movers are insured the way a car is. What a moving company actually gives you is valuation: a cap on what the mover pays if something is lost or broken. The level you pick, often with one signature on moving day, decides whether a damaged TV gets repaired or replaced, or gets you about $15.
This guide explains the two federal valuation levels, how in-state Virginia moves differ, when separate insurance makes sense, and how claims work. If your building manager is asking for proof of coverage, that is a different document; see our guide to certificates of insurance for movers.
Valuation vs Insurance: What Movers Actually Provide
Federal rules require interstate movers to offer two levels of liability, and the FMCSA is clear that these are not insurance policies. They set how much the mover owes you, not what an insurer pays.
| Released Value Protection | Full Value Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | No extra charge | Priced by the mover; depends on declared value and deductible |
| What you get | 60 cents per pound, per item | Repair, replacement with a similar item, or a cash settlement |
| Interstate default? | No, you must sign to choose it | Yes, it applies unless you waive it in writing |
| Best for | Low-value, heavy items you could replace cheaply | Electronics, furniture, anything you would hate to lose |
Released Value Protection, With Real Numbers
Released value is the free option, and it pays by weight, not by worth. FMCSA describes it as 60 cents per pound per article. Under 49 CFR 375.201 you must choose it in writing, so it never applies by accident on an interstate move.
Here is what that formula pays on items we move every week:
| Item | Approx. weight | Released value payout |
|---|---|---|
| 25 lb flat-screen TV (FMCSA’s own example) | 25 lb | $15.00 |
| Laptop | 6 lb | $3.60 |
| Solid wood dresser | 100 lb | $60.00 |
| Glass-top dining table | 80 lb | $48.00 |
The weight formula is why released value works for a garage full of tools and fails for a laptop. The 60 cent figure comes from a federal released rates order that can be adjusted, so check the current number in your paperwork.
Full Value Protection
Full value protection is the default on interstate moves, and it makes the mover responsible for the replacement value of what it loses or damages. For each item, the mover can repair it, replace it with a similar item, or pay you a cash settlement. The ceiling is the declared value of the whole shipment (49 CFR 375.201).
Two details trip people up:
- Items of extraordinary value. Anything worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, fine china, or furs, must be listed on your shipping documents. If it is not, the mover can limit what it pays on that item (49 CFR 375.203).
- Deductibles. FMCSA notes that full value plans can carry deductible levels that lower the price. A higher deductible makes sense if you only care about a catastrophic loss, not a scuffed nightstand.
Local Virginia Moves vs Interstate Moves
The 60 cent and full value rules above are federal rules for moves that cross state lines. A move from Norfolk to Virginia Beach, or Newport News to Williamsburg, falls under Virginia law instead, and Virginia does not set a statewide valuation level.
In-state household goods carriers hold a certificate from the Virginia DMV. To get it, they file proof of liability and cargo insurance, a surety bond, and a tariff that lists their rates and terms. What a Virginia mover pays on a damaged item comes from that filed tariff and your contract. That is why two local movers can quote the same job with very different protection.
Virginia law also protects you in a few specific ways:
- A mover cannot advertise that “all loads are insured” unless its tariff assumes full liability and it carries full value insurance on every shipment (Va. Code § 46.2-2162).
- Your contract cannot give you less than 30 days to file a claim or less than two years to sue (Va. Code § 46.2-2168).
For a local move with Virginia Beach movers or any carrier in Hampton Roads, ask for the valuation terms in writing with your estimate. For a move out of state, such as our long-distance moves, the federal options apply.
Third-Party Moving Insurance and Your Homeowners Policy
Valuation covers what the mover is liable for; real insurance can cover what it is not. Before you buy anything extra, call your homeowners or renters insurance agent and ask three questions:
- Does my policy cover belongings while they are in transit or in a moving truck?
- Is there a per-item limit on jewelry, art, collectibles, or electronics?
- Does coverage continue while my things sit in storage between homes?
If the answers leave gaps, a separate moving or transit policy from an insurer can fill them. Keep it simple: insure the few items that would truly hurt to lose, and pack or carry the irreplaceable ones yourself.
How to Pick the Right Coverage
Match the coverage to what you own, not to the cheapest line on the estimate.
- Make a quick inventory of anything worth more than a few hundred dollars, with photos taken before packing day.
- Flag items over $100 per pound (jewelry, watches, silver, collectibles) and either list them or move them yourself.
- Ask for valuation terms in writing with your estimate, including any deductible and the declared value. Our guide to binding vs non-binding estimates explains what else to check.
- Check your homeowners or renters policy before buying a separate one.
- Pack fragile items properly. Damage from poor packing by the owner is a common reason claims get reduced; our fragile packing guide covers the basics, or let our packing crew handle it.
- Vet the company. A mover that dodges valuation questions is a warning sign; see our list of red flags when hiring movers.
Filing a Claim If Something Breaks
The single most useful habit is writing damage on the delivery paperwork before you sign. After that, the timelines depend on the type of move.
| Step | Interstate move (federal) | In-state Virginia move |
|---|---|---|
| Time to file | 9 months from delivery, in writing | Set by contract, but never less than 30 days |
| Mover acknowledges | Within 30 days (49 CFR 370.5) | Within 30 days |
| Mover pays, denies, or offers | Within 120 days, then status updates every 60 days (49 CFR 370.9) | Within 120 days, then status updates every 30 days |
| If you disagree | Arbitration is binding for claims of $10,000 or less if you request it (49 CFR 375.211) | Your contract cannot give you less than 2 years to sue |
Keep the box, take photos before anything is repaired, and send your claim in writing with the inventory number of each item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moving insurance required?
No law requires you to buy a separate policy. Interstate movers must offer released value and full value protection, and Virginia in-state carriers must carry cargo and liability insurance to hold their DMV certificate.
What does released value protection cover?
It pays 60 cents per pound per item on interstate moves, at no extra cost. A 25-pound TV is worth $15 under that formula.
Does full value protection cover everything?
It covers repair, replacement, or a cash settlement up to the declared value of your shipment. Items worth over $100 per pound need to be listed, and items you packed yourself may be harder to claim if the packing caused the damage.
Will my homeowners insurance cover a move?
Some policies cover goods in transit and some do not. Call your agent before moving day and ask about transit, storage, and per-item limits.
How do I get coverage details from Tidal Town Moving?
Ask when you request your free estimate or call (757) 716-9286. We put the coverage options for your move in writing before the truck shows up.