What moving insurance options are interstate movers legally required to offer me?
For interstate household moves, federal rules require movers to offer two valuation options. Here's what each one pays, what they leave out, and how to decide.
For interstate moves, federal regulations require every mover to offer Released Value Protection at no charge, and to transport your shipment under Full Value Protection unless you specifically waive it in writing on the bill of lading. Both are liability limits, not insurance, and both leave significant gaps.
Interstate household goods carriers are regulated by the federal government, not state insurance departments. That distinction matters: the coverage they offer is technically "valuation," a contractual liability limit set by the Surface Transportation Board, not a traditional insurance policy. Two options are required.
Released Value Protection
This is the free default that every interstate mover must make available. To select it, you must sign a specific statement on the bill of lading acknowledging the limited coverage. The mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. A 25-pound television worth $800 would yield only $15 if destroyed. For most households, this is not enough.
Full Value Protection
Unless you specifically waive it, your shipment is automatically transported under full value protection and the mover charges for it. Under this option, the mover is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in the entire shipment. If something is lost, destroyed, or damaged, the mover must repair the item, replace it with a similar item, or provide a cash settlement equal to the repair cost or current market replacement value.
What federal valuation does not cover
Common gaps under both Released Value and Full Value Protection
Items of extraordinary value: Movers can limit liability for any item worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, fine art, antiques, furs, and china, unless those items are specifically listed on the shipping documents.
Owner-packed boxes: If you pack your own boxes, it becomes much harder to establish a damage claim, since movers cannot verify the condition of contents at loading.
Perishables and hazardous materials: Packing these without the mover's knowledge can limit or void liability entirely.
Acts of God: Natural disasters, fires, and floods are generally excluded because valuation covers mover negligence, not events outside the mover's control.
Mechanical or electrical failure: If an appliance or electronic device stops working but shows no external damage, the mover typically bears no liability.
If you want true insurance instead of valuation
Third-party moving insurance is sold by licensed insurance companies, not by the mover, and is regulated by state insurance law. The key advantage is broader coverage: these policies can protect against events that mover liability explicitly excludes, including natural disasters, theft, mold, mildew, and mechanical or electrical damage.
Federal valuation vs. third-party moving insurance
Feature
Federal valuation (RVP / FVP)
Third-party moving insurance
Regulated by
Surface Transportation Board / federal law
State insurance departments
Default for interstate
Full Value Protection unless waived in writing
Optional, separate purchase
Pays for Acts of God
No
Yes, under all-risk policies
Pays for mechanical/electrical failure
No
Often, with add-on
Typical cost
Bundled in mover's quote (FVP) or free (RVP)
Roughly 1% to 5% of declared value
Before you sign the bill of lading
✓
Confirm which valuation tier you are choosing
RVP requires a written waiver on the bill of lading; FVP is automatic unless you opt out.
✓
List items worth more than $100 per pound
Jewelry, art, antiques, furs, and china need to be declared in writing or mover liability can be capped.
✓
Decide whether to buy third-party insurance
Especially worth it if you have high-value items, are moving long distance, or want natural-disaster coverage.
✓
Check your homeowners or renters policy
Personal-property coverage usually applies away from home, but on a named-perils basis and with sublimits on valuables.
✓
Inspect at delivery and note damage before signing
Failure to note damage on the delivery receipt is one of the most common reasons claims are denied.
SUMMARY
The bottom line
For an interstate move, federal law guarantees you a free Released Value option and entitles you to Full Value Protection unless you waive it. Full Value Protection is meaningfully better, but it still excludes extraordinary-value items you fail to declare, owner-packed cartons, Acts of God, and hidden mechanical or electrical failure. If you want coverage that closes those gaps, buy a third-party moving insurance policy from a licensed insurer, declare high-value items in writing, and never sign a delivery receipt that releases the mover from liability.
Common questions
Before you move on
Is mover valuation the same as moving insurance?+
No. The two federally required options are contractual liability limits authorized under the Surface Transportation Board's Released Rates Orders, not insurance. True moving insurance is sold separately by licensed third-party insurers and is regulated by state insurance law.
Do I have to accept Full Value Protection?+
No. You can waive it in writing on the bill of lading and accept Released Value Protection at no charge, but the 60-cents-per-pound limit will leave most claims significantly underpaid.
Does my homeowners or renters policy cover my move?+
Usually only partially. Most policies cover personal property away from home on a named-perils basis (fire, theft, vehicle accident) and exclude damage from dropping, mishandling, or improper packing. Valuable items like jewelry often carry sublimits well below replacement value.
What happens if I move within the same state?+
Federal valuation rules apply to interstate moves. Intrastate moves may be governed by state regulations or the mover's tariff, and the same 60-cents-per-pound default and Full Value Protection requirement may not be legally mandated. Ask your mover and check your state's household goods carrier rules.
