Anyone can rent a truck and call themselves a moving company. Licensing and insurance are what separate an accountable business from someone you have no recourse against. Here’s what to ask, and how to verify the answers yourself.
Licensing and insurance are not paperwork technicalities — they are your only real recourse if something goes wrong. A mover who can produce credentials without hesitation and let you verify them is telling you they operate as a real, accountable business. One who gets evasive is telling you the opposite.
— WikiQuestions editorial guidance
Licensing
Are you licensed to perform this move, and can you give me your license number? Requirements differ by region and by whether your move crosses a state, provincial, or national border. What matters is that the mover can name the license they hold and give you the number to verify. ‘We’re fully licensed’ with no number is not an answer.
Can I verify that license with the relevant authority? A legitimate license can be checked through the appropriate transportation or consumer regulator for your area. Do the check yourself rather than taking a screenshot at face value. If a mover discourages you from verifying, treat that as a serious warning sign.
Insurance
Do you carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance? This protects you two ways. Liability coverage addresses damage to your property; workers’ compensation means that if a mover is injured in your home, you are not the one holding the bill. Ask for proof, not just a yes.
What coverage applies to my belongings by default, and what can I add? The basic coverage movers include is often far lower than the actual value of your belongings — sometimes only a small amount per pound. This is critical enough that it has its own guide: Questions to Ask Movers About Valuation and Liability Coverage.
Can you provide a certificate of insurance? For a valuable move, or if your building requires it, ask for a certificate of insurance naming the coverage in force. Reputable companies produce this routinely.
Why This Matters
A mover who is licensed and properly insured has already cleared the bar that most fly-by-night operators can’t. If a company is vague or defensive about either, that alone is reason to move on — the behavior is a red flag in itself, covered in Red Flags When Hiring a Moving Company and How to Spot a Moving Scam.
Next, make sure you understand exactly how much of your belongings’ value is actually protected: read Questions to Ask Movers About Valuation and Liability Coverage.