Who regulates moving companies?

Moving is a demanding and stressful process, but hiring the right moving company can make it quite easier. However, choosing the best cross country movers can be challenging since there are a lot of moving companies on the market. Besides, there are many things to pay attention to when hiring one. But, the most important thing is to check whether a company is licensed and insured. This way, you’ll avoid moving scams. If a company is regulated by the law, your relocation will be safe. But, who regulates moving companies? This guide will give you an insight into moving company regulations. By reading it, you’ll be able to choose the right company for your move. Read on to find out more.

Moving company regulations – explained

The moving industry is highly regulated, and there is a good reason for this – customers’ protection. These regulations include safety, economic, and consumer protection. Your belongings might get damaged during the moving process, such as packing, loading, and transportation. So, it’s essential to have insurance. Another great reason is to protect customers from fraudulent moving companies. So, to hire a trustworthy moving company, you should search for one that has a moving license number (USDOT number) for transporting items cross-country. The regulations dictate the terms under which a moving company performs the move. They may differ from state to state. However, their purpose is the same – protecting the customers and their belongings. So, if you want to hire experienced, and licensed movers, research well. Luckily, you are in the right place at the right time. Check our moving companies database and choose a company that best suits your needs.

Who is in charge of regulating moving companies?

Figuring out who monitors moving companies may be confusing even for moving veterans. There are three groups of moving companies that are regulated: local, interstate, and international moving companies. So let’s see who regulates them.

• Intestate moving companies: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and The United States Department of Transportation regulate moves that cross state lines.
• International moving companies: Federal Maritime Commission regulates overseas moves.
• Local moving companies: The agencies differ from state to state. For example, if you want to perform your residential move locally, you should search for a company in your region. So, to find out who regulates it, check with your local department of transportation.

The USDOT and FMCSA

The USDOT and FMCSA regulate interstate moving companies. FMCSA is responsible for safety. Its main aim is to reduce accidents during transportation. How? It develops motor carrier regulations, making a balance between safety and efficiency. Also, it has safety information systems focusing on higher-risk carriers. Besides, FMCSA keeps track of USDOT numbers. All moving companies have to have a number that is in accordance with federal safety regulations. The number helps us differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent moving companies. When checking the company’s registration in the USDOT database, you can also see the following:

1. Contact information
2. Type of authority
3. Safety ratings
4. Insurance requirements

Who regulates international moving companies?

If you want to move internationally, protect your move. The first step to protecting it is to work with licensed movers. To check if an international moving company is registered, search the Federal Maritime Commission site. FMC regulates overseas moves. Its main mission is to ensure reliable ocean transportation. They do that by monitoring agreements between ocean carriers and maritime operators. Besides, it makes sure there’s no increase in transportation costs by ensuring common carrier’s tariff rates. All tariffs are available online. Most importantly, FMC protects the customers from financial harm.

Who regulates local moving companies?

Local regulations differ from state to state. In this guide, we will focus on regulatory agencies of four different states. Here’s the list of other states as an example:

1. California: Movers in California have to have a “T number” from CPUC.
2. Florida: Department of Agriculture is in charge of regulating moving companies.
3. New Jersey: The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs regulates moving companies. They do not only monitor movers but also warehouses.
4. New York: movers operate under NYSDOT regulations.

By checking a country’s regulations, you’ll be able to find a trustworthy moving company you can completely rely on.

Avoid moving scams

If you want to have a safe, smooth, and successful move, you should do thorough research. But, how do you know which company is reliable? Well, it’s simple. Check if it has a license for performing the move. Besides having a license, moving companies must offer moving insurance. This way, you’ll be protected in case of damage that may happen during the move. These are the most important traits of professional movers. However, there are other things you should pay attention to. When hiring a company, check the reviews and ratings. Customers’ reviews can serve you as a guide to understand how a company operates moves. Last but not least, pay attention to the types of moving estimates. All in all, choose experienced movers with a moving license.

Check companies with Better Business Bureau

If you need more sources to confirm if a company is legal, check the Better Business Bureau. Here you can see any complaints against interstate moving companies. The BBB helps you find trustworthy moving companies. So, if a company is approved by the BBB, it means that it’s not a scam. By following all the steps, your move will be safe and smooth.

Check all resources to find the right movers

Now that you know who regulates moving companies, you can search for the right one without worrying whether it’s licensed or not. Your search is now easier with Best Cross Country Movers. Your search can be simple and fast. Go through the database and find movers all around the country. Whether you are packing, storing, or moving, our database will help you decide whom to hire. Using our site is time-saving and easy. Have a safe move without any stress. Enjoy your relocation.