Insured, Licensed Movers in South Coast, CA
How do you know a mover in South Coast is legitimate? We checked 16 movers for active FMCSA registration, insurance on file, BBB standing, and crash history. 1 are federally registered with confirmed insurance. 4 are BBB accredited. 10 operate without federal registration, meaning no required insurance, no surety bond, and no FMCSA complaint process. Aussie Moving (USDOT 2424966, BBB , 0 crashes) is a fully insured, credentialed mover with confirmed rate card pricing.
16 movers checked for insurance, licensing, and credentials | 2026-06-15
14 movers in South Coast
~$2,460 2BR local
~$2,460 2BR local
Is Your Mover Legit? Credentials Check for South Coast
Every legitimate mover must carry FMCSA registration, insurance on file, and operating authority. Below is the licensing and insurance status for 16 movers serving South Coast. 1 of 16 meet federal requirements. 10 do not.
| Company | FMCSA | USDOT | MC | Interstate | BBB | Crashes | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie MovingVerified | Active | 2424966 | 876037 | Yes | - | 0 | - | |
| ABC Moving Center | None | 1415498 | - | No | NR | 4.3/5 (890) | 0 | - |
| Aloha Moving | None | 2065771 | - | No | A+ | 5/5 (38) | 0 | - |
| Black Horse Delivery | None | 3335264 | - | No | A+ | 5/5 (29) | 0 | - |
| Bushnell Moving | None | 1255626 | - | No | A+ | 5/5 (14) | 0 | - |
| Coast Transfer & StorageAvoid | None | 2705483 | - | No | NR | 3.8/5 (29) | 0 | - |
| Elite Movers | None | 3688944 | - | No | A+ | 5/5 (169) | 0 | - |
| Hazelwood Allied | None | 3937038 | - | No | NR | 4.9/5 (29) | 0 | - |
| Jared's Moving | None | 2339985 | - | No | A- | 4.9/5 (251) | 0 | - |
| Loadstar Movers | None | 3059013 | - | No | NR | 5/5 (40) | 0 | - |
| Lompoc Van & Storage | None | 125026 | MC-124413 | No | NR | 4.5/5 (41) | 0 | - |
| Mammoth Moving & Storage | None | 961777 | - | No | A+ | 4.9/5 (196) | 0 | - |
| Meathead Movers | None | 1878208 | - | No | NR | 4.6/5 (4200) | 0 | - |
| Movegreen | None | 2189795 | - | No | A+ | 4.9/5 (397) | 0 | - |
| Pete's Superior Moving | None | 3297156 | - | No | NR | 5/5 (78) | 0 | - |
| Platinum Movers | None | 3842498 | - | No | A+ | 4.9/5 (143) | 0 | - |
Data from FMCSA SAFER, BBB, Google. Checked 2026-06-15.
Movers Without FMCSA Registration in South Coast
10 of 16 movers surveyed in South Coast do not have active FMCSA registration: Black Horse Delivery, Bushnell Moving, Coast Transfer & Storage, Elite Movers, Hazelwood Allied, Jared's Moving, Lompoc Van & Storage, Meathead Movers, Movegreen, Pete's Superior Moving. Without registration, these movers have no federal insurance requirements, no surety bond, and no FMCSA complaint process. If your belongings are damaged or held hostage, you have no federal recourse.
Google: 5/5 from 29 reviews
Google: 5/5 from 14 reviews
Google: 3.8/5 from 29 reviews
Mayflower agent. Multiple reviews report poor communication, unanswered emails, repeated follow-up calls needed
Google: 5/5 from 169 reviews
Google: 4.9/5 from 29 reviews
Google: 4.9/5 from 251 reviews
Google: 4.5/5 from 41 reviews
Google: 4.6/5 from 4200 reviews
Google: 4.9/5 from 397 reviews
Google: 5/5 from 78 reviews
USDOT vs MC Number
A USDOT number is a registration number that tracks the mover in the federal system. Having a USDOT number does not mean the company is authorized to operate.
An MC number is operating authority that legally authorizes the mover to transport household goods across state lines. A mover can have a USDOT number but no MC authority, meaning they are registered but not legally authorized for interstate moves.
What to check: At safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, confirm (1) USDOT status is “ACTIVE” and (2) Operating Authority is “AUTHORIZED” for Household Goods (HHG). If it says “NOT AUTHORIZED” or “INACTIVE,” the mover cannot legally perform interstate moves.
Moving Insurance: What's Actually Covered
Released Value Protection (default, included)
Covers items at $0.60 per pound per article. A $2,000 TV weighing 30 lbs = $18 coverage. All FMCSA-registered movers must offer this at no additional charge. It protects the mover, not you.
Full Value Protection (paid add-on)
The mover must repair, replace, or pay current market value for damaged or lost items. Costs 1-3% of declared shipment value. This is the coverage you actually want.
Third-Party Insurance
Purchased separately from providers like MovingInsurance.com. Covers what the mover's insurance does not, including electronics, jewelry, and high-value art. Costs $100-$300.
Unregistered movers (no FMCSA) have no insurance obligation. If your mover has no USDOT number, you have zero guaranteed coverage of any kind.
What the $75,000 Surety Bond Actually Covers
Common misconception: Most people think the surety bond is insurance for their belongings. It is not.
What the bond does: It is a financial guarantee that the mover will fulfill their contractual obligations. If the mover goes bankrupt mid-move, refuses to deliver your belongings, or abandons the job, you can file a claim against the bond.
What the bond does NOT cover: Damaged items, scratched floors, broken furniture, or lost boxes. Those are covered by valuation protection (Released Value or Full Value). The bond and the insurance are completely separate.
Movers to Avoid in South Coast
1 mover in South Coast is flagged based on FMCSA violations, BBB complaints, or documented scam patterns: Coast Transfer & Storage.See full report.
- * Mayflower agent. Multiple reviews report poor communication, unanswered emails, repeated follow-up calls needed
- * Military move complaints: lost household goods, inventory errors, couch delivered to wrong servicemember
How to Verify a Mover Yourself
1. Get their USDOT number. It should be printed on their truck and readily available. If they cannot provide it, do not hire them.
2. Look up FMCSA at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Confirm USDOT status is “ACTIVE” and operating authority is “AUTHORIZED” for household goods.
3. Check BBB at bbb.org. Read complaint count, not just the letter grade.
4. Read 1-star Google reviews. Look for patterns across independent reviewers. If 3+ people describe the same problem, it is systemic.
5. Verify on moving day. The USDOT number on the truck must match. The crew should have your estimate and Bill of Lading ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a mover have a high Google rating but still be untrustworthy?
Yes. Some movers use non-disparagement clauses, review pressure, or paid services to inflate ratings. A 4.5/5 with 200+ reviews and 0 crashes is more trustworthy than a 5.0/5 with 30 reviews and no FMCSA registration. Cross-reference Google ratings with FMCSA records and BBB complaints.
What does BBB accreditation mean for movers?
BBB accreditation means the mover has applied and been approved by the Better Business Bureau, agreeing to resolve complaints. The letter grade reflects complaint volume and resolution, not service quality. An A+ mover with 15 unresolved complaints is worse than a B- mover with zero. 4 movers in South Coast are BBB accredited.
What is a mover's out-of-service rate?
The percentage of FMCSA roadside inspections where the driver or vehicle was pulled off the road for safety violations. The national average is 6.67%. Anything above 20% is a red flag. This data is publicly available at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov under the mover's USDOT number.