When you book a mover in the U.S.—especially for a long‑distance move—you’re not just buying a truck and some muscle. You’re entering into a legal relationship that is actually regulated pretty tightly, especially for interstate moves.
Most people don’t realize they have specific rights when they hire a moving company. They also don’t realize they have responsibilities too—and if you ignore them, you can lose money, protection, or leverage in a dispute.
Let’s walk through what really matters, in plain English, from someone who lives in this world every day. I’ll keep it focused on what you’re likely to face whether you’re moving from Hallandale Beach to another state, or leaving Chatsworth, CA for a cross‑country relocation.
When you hire a moving company—especially for an interstate move (one state to another)—you’re protected under federal law. The main thing you’ll see referenced is a brochure called:
“Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” (published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration – FMCSA)
Any licensed interstate mover is required to either give you that brochure or a link to it before the move. If a company doesn’t mention it, that’s already a red flag.
Here’s why this matters to you:
At United Prime Van Lines, we try to take the legalese and translate it into normal conversation. That way, when we walk through your moving paperwork—whether you’re in South Florida or out in the Valley in Chatsworth—you understand exactly what you’re signing.
You’re always entitled to a written estimate. For interstate moves, this estimate must be in writing and based on an in‑home or virtual survey of your belongings (unless you waive that in writing).
There are three types of estimates:
Binding Estimate
Non‑Binding Estimate
Binding Not‑to‑Exceed (or Guaranteed Not‑to‑Exceed)
You have the right to ask what kind of estimate you’re getting and to refuse to sign something you don’t understand.
You have the right to verify that a moving company is properly licensed and insured for the type of move you’re doing.
For interstate moves, the company must:
For local / intrastate moves (like within South Florida or just around the San Fernando Valley), regulations vary by state. Florida and California both have their own rules for local moves, including licensing and required paperwork.
You can (and should) check:
A reputable company will never get defensive if you ask, “Can you send me your DOT number and license info?”
At United Prime Van Lines, we expect that question—and we actually like when customers ask it. It means you’re doing this the smart way.
Two key documents protect you:
Order for Service
Bill of Lading
Never let a truck pull away with your life on it if you haven’t seen and received a copy of that document.
This is where a lot of people get confused. Valuation isn’t exactly “insurance,” but it’s how the mover’s liability for your belongings is defined.
For interstate moves, you almost always choose between:
Released Value Protection (60 Cents per Pound per Article)
Full Value Protection (FVP)
You have the right to:
When we book a move at United Prime Van Lines, we spend time on this part because it’s where expectations either come together—or fall apart later. Especially on bigger moves from Hallandale Beach condos or Chatsworth single‑family homes, it’s not the place to rush.
You have a right to understand what you’re paying for:
You also have protections against certain tactics, like:
Always ask the mover to walk through the estimate line by line. With United Prime Van Lines, we treat that as a normal, expected part of the call—not an annoyance.
You have the right to know:
For long‑distance moves, exact delivery dates are often ranges, especially during peak season. That’s normal. What isn’t normal is a mover going dark on you.
You have a right to:
If something is lost or damaged, you have a right to:
Typical federal guidelines:
Keep it factual, detailed, and include photos. The better you document, the smoother this is for everyone.
Rights go both ways. To keep your protections, you also have some real responsibilities. Ignoring these can cost you money or legal protection.
The estimate is only as good as the information you provide. You’re responsible for:
If your actual load is much larger than described, the mover is legally allowed to:
The more transparent you are, the more accurate your cost—and the smoother your move will be.
In our calls at United Prime Van Lines, we’ll usually ask follow‑up questions that sound nosy (“Do you have anything in storage?” “What’s the parking like at your Hallandale Beach building?” “Is your Chatsworth street big‑truck‑friendly?”). That’s not us being picky, that’s us protecting you from surprises later.
You’re responsible for:
If you sign off on:
…those decisions will control how your move and any potential claims are handled.
Take 10–15 minutes, sit down with the documents, and if something doesn’t make sense, ask. A good mover will walk you through it calmly, not rush you off the phone.
If you pack your own boxes, you accept part of the responsibility for how those items survive the trip.
Your duties include:
Movers are usually not liable for damage to items you packed yourself if the box shows no external damage. In other words: if the box looks fine but the TV inside is broken, the mover will likely argue it was packed improperly.
One way around this: Ask your mover (like us at United Prime Van Lines) to pack particularly fragile or high‑value items, even if you’re doing most of the packing yourself.
You’re responsible for:
If the crew shows up and no one is there to:
…you can end up with delays, extra fees, or even storage charges.
If you’re flying from South Florida to California or the other way around, plan your travel so someone can meet the truck—even if it’s a trusted friend, family member, or building manager you’ve authorized ahead of time.
You don’t have to unwrap every coffee mug on the spot, but you are responsible for:
You typically sign a statement like “Received in apparent good order except as noted.” If you don’t note visible damage or missing pieces, it doesn’t kill your claim—but it can make it harder later.
A simple habit:
If something really is lost or damaged, your responsibility is to:
Don’t wait six months if you already know something is wrong. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to investigate.
United Prime Van Lines, for example, has a structured claim process; the more detail you give us up front, the faster we can get you an answer or settlement.
Knowing your rights is one half. The other half is spotting trouble before you hand over your belongings.
Here are some signs to be cautious:
When people call United Prime Van Lines from Hallandale Beach or Chatsworth, we’ll sometimes tell them: “Honestly, that other quote sounds suspiciously low. Double‑check their DOT number and ask for a binding or not‑to‑exceed estimate in writing.” We’d rather lose a job than see you get stuck in a nightmare.
Since we’re not just talking theory here, here’s how we typically handle your rights and responsibilities in real life:
You’re never just “another job on the board.” When it’s your whole life in those boxes, the paperwork and the legal stuff suddenly become very real. Our job is to make that part feel clear and manageable, not overwhelming.
Here’s a short, practical checklist you can use whether you book with us or anyone else:
If you can check those boxes, you’re in a much stronger position than most people heading into moving day.
