Protect Your Move: The Critical Steps to Verify Your Long Island Moving Company’s License, Insurance, and Bond Status in 2025

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful experiences, but hiring an unlicensed, uninsured, or unbonded moving company can turn that stress into a nightmare. With more than 5,662 household goods moving companies registered with FMCSA, and countless others operating without proper credentials, knowing how to verify your mover’s legitimacy has never been more important.

Understanding the Essential Credentials: Licensed, Insured, and Bonded

Before diving into verification methods, it’s crucial to understand what each credential means. A licensed contractor has received official approval from state or local government to perform specific types of work, indicating they’ve passed competency tests and met certain standards. For Long Island moving companies, this means holding proper state and federal authorizations.

A bonded contractor has secured a financial guarantee from a third party, such as a surety company, which provides a safety net for you. If the contractor fails to meet the terms of the agreement, you can claim against this bond to cover any financial losses. Insurance, meanwhile, protects both you and the moving company from potential damages, accidents, and liability issues during your move.

New York State Licensing Requirements for Moving Companies

In New York, moving companies must meet multiple licensing requirements. In New York State, make sure your mover is licensed by the New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner (NYSDOT) with the appropriate permits such as Authority to Transport Household Goods. To operate legally, movers must hold a certificate from NYSDOT at all times.

Additionally, all movers need to be registered with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Moving companies operating vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW must obtain a USDOT number. For interstate moves, if your mover is hauling cargo across state lines, they will also need an Interstate Operating Authority number, called a Motor Carrier Number (MC) additional to their USDOT registration.

How to Verify Your Moving Company’s Credentials

Federal Registration Verification

Start with federal verification using FMCSA resources. You can enter their USDOT number online in the search tool on the FMCSA website. The search will give you company details including its registration status, fleet size and compliance information. Consumers can use the online search tool to check the movers database to confirm their mover is registered, has insurance, is authorized to transport household goods or has received complaints.

The FMCSA’s Protect Your Move website (www.ProtectYourMove.gov) is an invaluable resource. By going to the Protect Your Move website, consumers can use a database to look up a company’s complaint history and safety records to compare companies nationally.

State-Level Verification

For New York-specific verification, check that the company is licensed and registered with the NYSDOT. Every legitimate moving company in New York must display its USDOT license number on its vehicles. Additionally, movers must include their name, certificate number, and address in all advertising or solicitation materials as proof of compliance.

Insurance Verification

Insurance verification requires direct action on your part. Start by asking the contractor for a copy of their insurance certificate. This document should detail their coverage limits and the types of insurance they hold, such as liability and workers’ compensation. Once you have the certificate, contact the insurance provider directly to confirm that the policy is active and the coverage limits are adequate for your project.

Standard policies which movers are required to carry include General Liability Insurance, Cargo Insurance, Workers Compensation Coverage, Commercial Auto Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance. For moves in New York City, buildings in New York City will require movers to have Umbrella Insurance for a minimum of $5 million dollars before allowing them inside.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be wary of companies that cannot provide proper documentation. A reputable moving company will be transparent about its licensing status and willingly provide its certificate number. Professional companies will provide their compliance credentials on their company website.

Hiring unlicensed contractors can lead to serious legal consequences and financial penalties. In many states, including Illinois, it’s illegal for contractors to offer services without proper licensing. The same principle applies to moving companies in New York.

The Importance of Professional Association Memberships

Licensed movers are always a member of one of the peak industry bodies, like the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). Movers undergo thorough checks by AMSA and stay up to date with the latest regulations and moving technology, and engage in education and safety events.

Working with Established Local Companies

When searching for reliable moving companies long island, consider established local firms with proven track records. Local companies like Dunbar Moving, which has been serving Long Island for over 30 years, often provide superior accountability and customer service. As a full-service, fully licensed and insured moving company located in Stony Brook, New York, Dunbar Moving exemplifies the type of credentialed professional service you should seek.

Local companies have invested in their community reputation and understand regional requirements, from NYSDOT regulations to local building access requirements. They’re also more likely to provide personalized service and flexible solutions for Long Island’s unique moving challenges.

What to Do If Problems Arise

If you encounter issues with a moving company, you can file a complaint with NYSDOT using the New York Moving Consumer Complaint Form. Completed forms should be mailed to the Office of Safety and Security Services in Albany. For federal complaints, consumers can report unsafe and poor performing moving companies by calling FMCSA’s nationwide complaint hotline at 1-888-368-7238 (1-888 DOT-SAFT) or by visiting www.ProtectYourMove.gov.

Taking Action: Your Moving Company Verification Checklist

Before hiring any moving company, complete this verification checklist:

• Verify USDOT registration through FMCSA’s online search tool
• Confirm NYSDOT licensing and Authority to Transport Household Goods
• Request and verify insurance certificates directly with providers
• Check for professional association memberships (AMSA, etc.)
• Review complaint history on Protect Your Move website
• Ensure the company displays proper licensing numbers on vehicles and advertising
• Verify bonding status if required for your specific move

Taking these verification steps protects you from fraudulent operators and ensures your belongings are handled by qualified professionals. In 2025’s evolving regulatory landscape, with new FMCSA systems and enhanced verification requirements, due diligence is more important than ever. Don’t let the stress of moving lead you to skip these critical verification steps – your peace of mind and financial security depend on choosing properly credentialed movers.