Interstate Moving Company Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Any legitimate interstate mover is required to hold a USDOT number and an MC number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can look up a company’s license status directly on the FMCSA website before hiring. Correira Bros, Inc. is fully licensed for interstate transport, DOT number 3095364 and MC number 74304, and this information should always be provided by a legitimate mover, not something you have to dig for.

If a company cannot readily provide these numbers, or their license shows as inactive or revoked, that is an immediate reason to look elsewhere.

Interstate movers should carry general liability insurance, cargo coverage, and workers’ compensation. Ask specifically what happens if an item is damaged or lost during transport, and what valuation coverage options are offered, since federal law requires movers to provide both released value protection and full value protection as choices.

Not every moving company that handles local jobs is set up for interstate logistics. Ask how long the company has been handling out-of-state moves, what routes they cover most often, and how they coordinate delivery timing across longer distances. Our long-distance moving services cover relocations to any state in the country, with a dedicated move coordinator assigned to track logistics from pickup through delivery.

Interstate moves are typically priced based on weight and distance rather than an hourly rate. Ask exactly how your estimate was built, what could cause the price to change, and whether the number you are given is binding. Avoid any company that gives you a full price quote without ever discussing the size or weight of your shipment.

No mover can promise nothing will ever go wrong, but a reputable company should be transparent about their claims rate and what the process looks like if you need to file one. Ask how claims are handled, how long resolution typically takes, and what documentation you will need to provide.

Some companies include services like furniture disassembly, shrink wrapping, or basic packing materials in their base price, while others charge separately for each. Ask for a full breakdown so you are comparing quotes accurately rather than comparing a stripped-down price against a full-service one.

Beyond the paperwork, pay attention to how responsive and clear a company is during the quoting process. If they are hard to reach, vague about details, or pressure you to sign quickly, that is often a preview of what communication will look like during the actual move.

Local moves carry lower stakes if something goes wrong, since a dispute is easier to resolve in person and the company is typically nearby. Interstate moves involve more distance, more regulation, and often more money on the line, which is exactly why the vetting process deserves more attention. Taking the time to check licensing, insurance, pricing structure, and reviews before signing anything protects you from the vast majority of problems that come up with disreputable movers.

Sources and further reading: FMCSA: Protect Your Move; Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission; USPS: Moving and change of address.

We built our interstate moving process around the exact things this checklist covers. Fully licensed and insured, upfront binding estimates, a dedicated move coordinator, and a team experienced with specialty items and long-distance logistics. If you are comparing movers for an upcoming out-of-state relocation, we are happy to walk through our licensing, pricing, and process in detail before you decide.