Moving your entire household is a significant undertaking, and while it might be tempting to save money by hiring an uninsured mover or a “guy with a truck,” the risks far outweigh any potential savings. Let’s talk about why hiring bonded and insured professional movers isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for protecting your belongings and your peace of mind.
Bonded and Insured: Understanding the Basics
When we talk about “bonded and insured” movers, we’re really talking about three layers of protection. First, they’re licensed, meaning they’ve met state and federal requirements to operate legally. Second, they’re bonded, which provides financial protection if they fail to complete your move as promised. Third, they’re insured, carrying both liability and cargo insurance to protect your belongings during transit.
The Protection You Can’t Afford to Skip
Think about this scenario: You’re moving your four-bedroom house, including family heirlooms, expensive electronics, and that antique dining set your grandmother left you. During the move, something goes wrong—perhaps a truck accident or a significant handling mistake. With an insured professional mover, you’re protected. With an uninsured mover, you’re likely facing a complete loss.
Professional moving companies should carry substantial insurance coverage, including general liability insurance of at least $750,000 to $1 million, and cargo insurance typically starting at $100,000. They should also have worker’s compensation insurance—this is crucial because without it, you could be personally liable if someone is injured while moving your belongings.
When Things Go Wrong
We’ve seen countless stories of moves gone wrong with uninsured operators. Here’s what typically happens: The moving company damages or loses valuable items, and when the customer tries to file a claim, they discover there’s no insurance backing the operation. Or worse, a worker gets injured on their property, and the homeowner ends up facing a personal injury lawsuit.
Verifying Your Mover’s Coverage
Don’t just take a moving company’s word about their insurance coverage. Request copies of their insurance certificates and verify their bond numbers with state authorities. For interstate moves, you can check their U.S. DOT numbers online. Any reputable moving company will be happy to provide this documentation—if they hesitate or make excuses, consider it a red flag.
The Cost Perspective
Yes, properly insured and bonded movers often charge more than uninsured operators. But consider this: The cost difference is typically a small percentage of your total moving expense, yet it provides protection for your entire household’s worth of belongings. It’s not just an extra expense—it’s an investment in security and peace of mind.
At Choice Moving Company, we maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that exceeds industry standards. We’re happy to share our specific coverage details and documentation because we believe in complete transparency. Your belongings deserve professional protection, and your peace of mind is worth the investment in proper coverage.
Ready to learn more about how our insurance coverage protects your move? Contact us for a detailed breakdown of our protection policies and coverage levels.
