Florida Insurance Gap: 71% of Licensed Movers Have No Insurance Filings on Record

Florida has 2,872 licensed moving companies. Of those, only 830 (29%) have active insurance filings on record with the FMCSA. The remaining 2,042 movers operate without any documented insurance coverage. This article examines what the MOTUS filing data reveals about insurance coverage among Florida movers.

2,872 total licensed movers in Florida. 830 have insurance filings. 2,042 do not. 1,082 are brokers (zero trucks). 205 movers carry less than $100,000 in coverage. 178 carry $1,000,000 or more. The median maximum coverage among insured movers is $750,000.

When a mover damages your belongings, the only guaranteed protection is what's on file with FMCSA. If a mover has no filing, there is no verified insurance to claim against. The default "released value" protection ($0.60 per pound) applies, but enforcement depends on the mover having legitimate insurance backing.

1,082 Florida movers are brokers. Brokers carry bonds (typically $75,000), not liability insurance. If a broker's subcontractor damages your belongings, the broker's bond caps your recovery at $75,000 regardless of actual damages. For a 4BR household valued at $150,000+, this means potential recovery of less than 50%.

A studio apartment move is valued at $5,000 to $15,000. A 3BR home at $45,000 to $100,000. A mover carrying $75,000 in coverage can fully cover a studio but not a loaded 3BR. The FMCSA minimum is $75,000 for brokers and $750,000 for carriers. 205 Florida movers carry less than $100,000.

Ask for a Certificate of Insurance before booking. Verify the mover's USDOT at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Check MOTUS filings for active coverage. Consider third-party moving insurance ($100 to $300) for high-value items. Never hire a mover without an active FMCSA filing.