A movers' certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary of the mover's business insurance. It names the insurer, the policy types, the limits and the policy dates. Your mover's insurance agent issues it, usually at no charge, and your building manager may ask for it before they let anyone carry boxes through the lobby. It is not a promise that your furniture is covered. That protection comes from a separate choice you make with your mover, called valuation, or from separate insurance you buy.
This guide explains what the certificate shows, who provides it, what buildings usually require, how to check that it is real, and how it differs from the coverage that pays for a damaged sofa.
TL;DR
- A COI summarizes the mover's business insurance for your building or landlord. It does not insure your belongings.
- The mover's insurance agent issues it. You or your building supplies the exact certificate-holder wording, and the mover requests it.
- For interstate moves, your goods are protected by the valuation option you choose: Released Value Protection (free, $0.60 per pound per article) or Full Value Protection (costs more).
- Verify the mover's U.S. DOT number, registration and complaint history with FMCSA before you rely on any document.
- Ask your building for its requirements first, then send them to the mover early, because buildings can reject a certificate with the wrong wording.
Table of Contents
- What a movers' certificate of insurance actually is
- COI vs. the coverage on your belongings
- Are movers required to have insurance?
- Who provides the COI, and how do you request it?
- What buildings usually require on a COI
- How to verify a mover's insurance before move day
- Valuation: what actually protects your belongings
- Third-party moving insurance
- Our perspective
- Get a move that handles the paperwork with you
- Common mistakes to avoid
- FAQ
- Sources
What a movers' certificate of insurance actually is
A certificate of insurance is a summary document. It typically lists the insured company, the insurance carrier, the types of coverage, the policy numbers, the limits and the effective and expiration dates. Think of it as a snapshot of the mover's business policies on the day it was printed.
What it does not do matters just as much:
- It does not create coverage. The policy does that.
- It does not guarantee a claim will be paid. The policy's terms, exclusions and conditions decide that.
- It does not make you, or your building, an insured party unless the certificate names additional insureds and the policy supports it.
- It reflects coverage as of the date it was issued, so check the policy dates against your move date.
That is why buildings request one: it shows the mover can cover a liability claim if a worker damages an elevator, a wall or a hallway, or if someone is injured on the property. It is a protection for the building. For your own belongings, you need to look at a different document.
COI vs. the coverage on your belongings
This is where most readers get confused, and it is the question behind searches such as "moving valuation vs insurance."
FMCSA, the federal agency that regulates interstate movers, explains that a mover's business liability insurance typically covers the company's facilities, equipment, vehicles and employees. Protection for your shipment is handled separately, through the liability options the mover must offer on interstate moves: Full Value Protection or released-value protection.
Independent insurance guidance draws the same line from the policy side: general liability usually addresses third-party premises or operations claims, while goods in the mover's care call for cargo or comparable property coverage.
| Document or coverage | Who it protects | What it answers |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of insurance (COI) | Building, landlord, property manager | Does this mover carry the business insurance we require? |
| Valuation (Released Value or Full Value Protection) | You, for interstate shipments | How much will the mover owe if my goods are lost or damaged? |
| Third-party moving insurance | You | Can I add separate coverage regulated under state insurance law? |
If you remember one thing, make it this: a COI answers the building's question, and valuation answers yours.
Are movers required to have insurance?
For interstate household-goods moves, yes, in the sense that matters to you. FMCSA says an interstate mover is legally liable for loss or damage to goods transported under the bill of lading, though the amount depends on the valuation option you select. FMCSA also advises that an interstate mover should hold a U.S. DOT number and proper insurance for interstate household-goods transportation.
Those federal rules apply to interstate moves. If you are moving within one state, requirements differ. FMCSA's guidance is to check with your state, county or local consumer-affairs agency or state moving association for the rules that apply to local movers.
Who provides the COI, and how do you request it?
The certificate comes from the mover's insurance agent or broker, not from the mover itself, and not from you. In practice the process looks like this:
- Ask your building for its requirements. Many managers publish a moving procedures page or send a sample certificate. Get the exact certificate-holder name and address, the additional insureds, and the minimum limits.
- Send those details to your mover in writing. The mover passes them to its agent. Wording errors are the most common reason a certificate gets bounced, so copy the building's text exactly.
- Allow time. Agents often turn certificates around quickly, but do not wait until the week of your move. Ask for the document as soon as you book.
- Send it to the building and keep a copy. Ask the manager to confirm in writing that it is approved and that your elevator reservation is set.
- Re-check the dates. The policy period must cover your move day.
If you are renting, our apartment moving checklist walks through reserving the elevator and the COI together, since buildings often tie the two.
What buildings usually require on a COI
Requirements vary by building, and they can be demanding. Published examples show the range:
- One Chicago building requires $3,000,000 in general liability per occurrence and in aggregate, $2,000,000 in auto liability, statutory workers' compensation and $1,000,000 in employer liability. It also expects the owner, manager and other entities to be named as additional insureds, with primary, non-contributory wording.
- Another property's tenant portal asks for at least $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate, $1,000,000 auto liability, workers' compensation and $4,000,000 umbrella coverage.
- A third property's handbook calls for statutory workers' compensation, $1,000,000 employer liability and comprehensive general liability of at least $2,000,000 per occurrence.
These are individual buildings, not a national standard. Use them to understand what to expect, then follow your own building's sheet. Typical items to confirm:
- Exact certificate-holder name and address
- Named additional insureds
- General liability and auto limits
- Workers' compensation and employer liability evidence
- Primary, non-contributory language, if required
- Policy effective and expiration dates
How to verify a mover's insurance before move day
A certificate is only paper. Before you rely on it, do these checks:
- Look up the mover with FMCSA. For interstate movers, FMCSA recommends checking the company's registration, insurance information and complaint records in its registered-mover database.
- Match the names. The legal name on the certificate should match the name on your estimate and contract, and the DOT number should match the registration.
- Check the dates. The policy period should include your pickup and delivery dates.
- Confirm the limits against your building's sheet line by line.
- Ask the mover to have the agent send the certificate directly to the building. That removes the chance of an edited file.
Our licensed and insured movers checklist covers this verification in about 20 minutes, including the red flags to watch for, such as a mover who cannot name an insurance agent or offers a certificate with another company's name on it.
Essential tip: Never accept a screenshot or a certificate that arrives only from the mover's personal email without checking the DOT number. Ask for the agent's contact details so the building can confirm it independently.
Valuation: what actually protects your belongings
Once the building is satisfied, turn to your own protection. On interstate moves, the mover's liability depends on the option you choose, and you should choose it deliberately before signing.
Released Value Protection
This option costs nothing extra, but it limits the mover's responsibility to $0.60 per pound per article. FMCSA's own example: a 25-pound television would produce a maximum payment of $15. A heavy item with a high price tag is where this gap shows up most. We explain it further in our guide to the $0.60 per pound trap.
Full Value Protection
This option costs more. It generally makes the mover responsible for repair, replacement with like kind and quality, or payment of the replacement or repair cost, subject to the mover's written terms, deductibles, exclusions and tariff. The minimum value used to determine it is $6.00 per pound multiplied by the shipment's weight. A mover may set a higher minimum, or you may declare a higher value for an additional charge.
Items of extraordinary value
Under Full Value Protection, movers may limit liability for articles worth more than $100 per pound unless you list them specifically on the shipping documents. FMCSA's examples include jewelry, antiques, furs and china. If you own pieces like these, read our walkthrough of the high value inventory form before packing day, and see how to transport family heirloom antiques and glassware.
Side by side
| Released Value Protection | Full Value Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No additional charge | Additional charge |
| What you can recover | Up to $0.60 per pound per article | Repair, like-kind replacement or replacement cost, under the mover's terms |
| Best to know | A 25-pound TV pays at most $15 | Deductibles and exclusions apply; list extraordinary-value items |
Third-party moving insurance
Some readers want coverage beyond valuation, which is what "third-party moving insurance" refers to. FMCSA makes a clear distinction: separate insurance is regulated under state law, while mover valuation is not insurance governed by federal law. If you buy insurance from or through your mover, you must receive a policy or other written record of it.
When you compare moving insurance options, put them in this order:
- Choose the valuation level on the mover's paperwork.
- Decide whether you want a separate policy for items you want covered beyond that level.
- Read the policy for exclusions, deductibles and claim steps, and keep it with your bill of lading.
- Photograph high-value items and keep receipts.
Our perspective
We see the same pattern in many moves: customers spend days chasing a certificate for the building, then sign the valuation line without reading it. The certificate gets the elevator reserved. The valuation choice decides what you recover if something breaks.
That is why we connect you only with pre-screened, licensed and insured moving companies, and why your dedicated move coordinator is your single point of contact for questions about paperwork, including certificate requests and valuation choices. We work with binding estimates so the price you are quoted is the price you plan around.
Our advice: send your building's COI requirements to your coordinator at booking, ask which valuation option each quote assumes, and compare quotes on that basis. A quote that looks cheaper may simply assume the free $0.60-per-pound option.
Victor
Get a move that handles the paperwork with you
If a building COI, valuation choices and mover verification sound like a lot to manage alongside packing, that is the work our coordinators help with. We match you with pre-screened, licensed and insured movers for local, long-distance and commercial moves, and we negotiate quotes for you. You can see the steps in how Value Added Moving works, or request your quotes for a long-distance move.
Tell your coordinator the building's requirements, your move date and the items you want protected, and they will line the paperwork up with the quotes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Requesting the certificate too late. A wording fix can take another round with the agent, and your elevator slot may depend on approval.
- Assuming the COI covers your belongings. It does not. Check the valuation option on your contract.
- Skipping the DOT lookup. For interstate moves, check registration and complaint history before you pay a deposit.
- Not listing high-value items. Under Full Value Protection, items worth more than $100 per pound may be limited unless you list them.
- Leaving the policy dates unchecked. An expired policy on the certificate is a red flag.
- Using the wrong rules for a local move. Federal valuation rules cover interstate moves, so check your state's consumer agency for in-state moves.
FAQ
Who provides the COI for moving?
The mover's insurance agent or broker issues it, at the mover's request. You or your building supply the exact certificate-holder name, additional insureds and limits. Ask for the agent's contact details so the building can confirm it directly.
Are movers required to have insurance?
Interstate household-goods movers must be registered, hold a U.S. DOT number and carry the insurance required for interstate transportation. They are also liable for loss or damage based on the valuation option you choose. For moves within a state, check your state's rules with its consumer-affairs agency or moving association.
How can I tell if a moving company is insured?
Look the company up in FMCSA's registered-mover database and review its registration, insurance information and complaints. Then compare the legal name, DOT number and policy dates on its certificate to your contract. A mover that hesitates to name its agent deserves a closer look.
Is a certificate of insurance the same as moving insurance?
No. The certificate summarizes the mover's business policies for a building or landlord. Moving insurance or valuation protects your belongings. On interstate moves, that means Released Value Protection or Full Value Protection, and optionally a separate policy governed by state insurance law.
What is the difference between released value and full value protection?
Released Value Protection is free and pays up to $0.60 per pound per article on interstate moves. Full Value Protection costs more and generally makes the mover responsible for repair, like-kind replacement or replacement cost, subject to its written terms, deductibles and exclusions.
Sources
- FMCSA: Liability & Protection
- FMCSA: How do I insure my belongings during a move?
- FMCSA: Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move
- FMCSA: Tips for a Successful Move
- FMCSA: Guidance Q&A on valuation and insurance
- FMCSA: Before Requesting Services from Any Mover
- Moving company insurance requirements by state
- Moving Procedures/Information (Chicago building)
- CityLine tenant portal COI requirements
- Insurance Protection, JL Properties handbook