[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/local-licensed-movers-in-new-york\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/local-licensed-movers-in-new-york\/","headline":"Why You Should Hire Licensed and Insured Movers in New York","name":"Why You Should Hire Licensed and Insured Movers in New York","description":"Whether you\u2019re moving out because you\u2019ve found a more affordable option or your lease is up, chances are […]","datePublished":"2015-12-05","dateModified":"2025-11-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Insured-Movers-in-New-York.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Insured-Movers-in-New-York.jpg","height":625,"width":1077},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/local-licensed-movers-in-new-york\/","about":["Moving Tips"],"wordCount":2306,"keywords":["basic insurance","Careless moving","Certificate of Insurance","commercial movers nyc","insurance movers","insured movers nyc","licensed and insured movers","licensed movers nyc","local movers nyc","local NYC movers","moving bill","professional moving","residential movers nyc","top movers in New York"],"articleBody":"Whether you\u2019re moving out because you\u2019ve found a more affordable option or your lease is up, chances are you\u2019ll need someone to help you move. If you\u2019ve decided to hire local NYC movers, you\u2019re probably overwhelmed with the number of options available. With so many choices, how do you narrow down the field? After all, you don\u2019t want to call every moving service in New York City. Not only is it a waste of time, but it can also make you even more confused and could lead to a potentially bad choice. You might think that simply doing a quick search for \u2018movers near me\u2019 might help improve your choices, but not all moving companies are created equal.Before you make your NYC move, you should do a bit of research on nearby moving companies to see what kind of operation they\u2019re running. Sure, your local man with a van might be tempting, especially if you\u2019re on a budget, but what happens if they break\/lose your items or damage the building when you move in or out? Without proper licenses and insurance, your move can become complete chaos and can end up costing thousands more than you planned.Of course, it\u2019s not just dealing with broken items. Some scam movers might steal your belongings or even charge you 300 percent more than the original quote. It\u2019s important to know what red flags to look out for so you can avoid potential scams. Luckily, a professional moving company will have its information available on its site or when you call.What is a \u201clicensed mover\u201d?Depending on where you live, every moving service has to adhere to a set of guidelines. Some states require movers to register with the state as a moving company and offer at least two options of insurance (full-valuation or released-value). Other states have additional requirements. New York State requires registration with the US Department of Transportation as well as the New York State Department of Transportation in order to legally work as movers. In order to successfully register as a moving company on the federal and state level, moving companies have to be insured to the state\u2019s mandatory minimum. In New York, that is $1.5 million. In addition to this, moving companies must do the following:Keep their registration and insurance up-to-date on a yearly basisFile all necessary paperwork for the household goods moving authorityProvide proof of workers\u2019 compensation and disability benefits insuranceHave all vehicles carrying a New York Intrastate Vehicle Identification Receipt\u00a0If you are moving to New York City, your mover should have a federal license, which means the government has signed off on their business. Being licensed means that the movers have to follow specific guidelines regarding insurance, safety measures, financial responsibilities, etc. NYC Mover Licensing and Insurance Requirements BreakdownRequirementDescriptionMinimum Coverage \/ ValueRegulatory BodyUSDOT RegistrationFederal authorization for interstate movesActive USDOT NumberU.S. Department of TransportationNYSDOT LicenseState license for intrastate movesActive NYSDOT NumberNYS Department of TransportationLiability InsuranceCovers damage to property or injuries$1.5 Million MinimumState LawWorkers\u2019 CompensationCovers mover injuries on the jobRequired by lawNY State Workers\u2019 Compensation BoardCOI (Certificate of Insurance)Proof of insurance for building managementVariable by building requirementsProvided by Mover The best moving companies in NYC will list their license information directly on their site so you can easily look them up to check their reputation and to make sure their registration is still active. If you notice a lot of claims and negative reviews, you probably want to look elsewhere. Great Movers, for example, lists our federal and state licenses directly on our site so you can easily look us up.If a company does not have its information on the site, give them a call to ask for their license information. Moving companies that have the proper credentials will give it to you with no questions asked. If the person on the other line is hesitant or tries to brush you off, take that as a sign that you should look at another company. Using an uninsured mover means you are putting all of your belongings at risk. There\u2019s nothing to stop these movers from taking everything and not showing up. If they\u2019re not registered with the state and federal government, you can\u2019t report them, as there is no information on them.Don\u2019t think it can happen to you? Unfortunately, this kind of extortion and theft happens on a regular basis. There have been several cases where unlicensed moving companies used their services as a front for crime. Some will hold your belongings hostage, claiming it was lost or stolen, and then extort money from you to \u2018recover\u2019 them. Others have been caught embezzling personal property. In 2022 alone, Americans lost $2.1 million to moving scams, and that number seems to be on the rise in 2023 by 12 percent.Even if you haven\u2019t had any issues using unlicensed movers in the past, every time you take that chance, there\u2019s the potential that it can happen to you. Yes, hiring licensed and insured movers will cost more in the short term, but you can at least rest easy knowing that if anything does happen, you can file a complaint and get a portion of your money back.What is an \u201cinsured mover\u201d?There\u2019s a difference between a mover who is insured versus one who offers insurance. If your mover is insured, it means they carry basic insurance (release-value) that will cover a very small portion of any damage or loss to your belongings. Generally, the rate is something like $0.60 per pound, per item. So if you drop that ten-pound, $1,000 TV, you would only get $6.00 back.If you want a better option, ask about value protection insurance. As the name suggests, this insurance covers the total cost of repair or replacement in the event that your Manhattan movers lose or ruin valuable items. These tend to be rarer, though the best moving companies in NYC will have the option. With that said, it might lead to an extra fee to your moving bill. All pro NYC movers must offer this option. With that said, full valuation doesn\u2019t mean you will get the full initial value you paid for your item. In fact, movers have a couple of choices on how to deal with your damaged\/lost goods, including:Repairing your itemReplacing it with a similar itemProviding payment for the current value of the itemIf you opt for full value protection, make sure you tell the movers the value of every item you own, especially very valuable items such as cameras, paintings, etc. A moving company\u2019s liability for items of extraordinary value (items valued at more than $100 per pound) is limited to $100 per pound unless you let them know beforehand in writing. If you don\u2019t declare these items, the company\u2019s maximum liability will be limited to $6 per pound multiplied by the weight of your shipment.Speaking of coverage, the value protection options only protect your belongings if they are damaged in transit. It does not cover your belongings if they are damaged in a third-party storage unit. So if you need protection during storage, make sure to use the moving company\u2019s storage option. You should also be aware that you are not covered if the items in the boxes you packed yourself are damaged during the move unless the box itself is severely damaged.NYC Mover Insurance Options and Coverage ExplainedInsurance TypeCoverage \/ DescriptionLimits \/ NotesImportant ConsiderationsReleased-Value InsuranceCovers a small portion of item damage\/lossApprox. $0.60 per pound per itemLimited coverage; high-value items get minimal reimbursementFull-Value Protection \/ Value InsuranceCovers repair, replacement, or payment for damaged\/lost itemsLiability for extraordinary items > $100\/lb is limited to $100\/lb unless declaredMust declare all high-value items in writing; may add an extra feeLiability InsuranceCovers damage to property & injuries during moveMinimum $1.5 Million coverageProfessional movers use padded blankets, floor protection, and careful handlingWorkers\u2019 CompensationCovers medical bills & lost wages if a mover is injuredRequired by lawPrevents liability from falling on the customer if movers are injuredCertificate of Insurance (COI)Proof of all insurance types for building entryVariable; must meet building management requirementsRequest a copy; check policy dates, insured amounts, and name matches the company Since NYC moving companies are not authorized to sell insurance themselves, you will have to purchase coverage from a different provider. Before paying for extra insurance, make sure to see what type of coverage your renters’ insurance offers. You can then choose an option that fills in the gaps. Different types of insurance will offer more or less coverage, so before you buy one, you should decide what kind of coverage you need. Below are some examples you will find:Damage from tornado, flood, lightning, etc.Mechanical damage to electrical componentsSingle item coverageHigh-value item (more than $100 per pound) coverageLoss from mold and mildewTheftDamage from an accident during transitOkay, so the above describes a mover who offers insurance. What about a mover who is insured? All professional movers in New York should have a few different types of insurance. The first one is liability insurance. This covers any damage done to the property as well as any injuries that might happen should a passerby trip over a poorly placed box. Most companies have at least $1.5 million in coverage. Naturally, pro NYC movers will do everything in their power to avoid any damage to the buildings by protecting the walls with padded blankets, placing plastic coverings for the floors, and carefully navigating tight stairs and narrow halls.What happens if they don\u2019t have insurance? You get stuck with the bill. Depending on the severity of the property damage or injury, this could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as court fees and appearances, lawyers, etc.Another type of insurance movers should have is workers\u2019 compensation. Should one of the movers injure themselves on the job, this insurance will help cover their medical bills and any missed work due to an injury. While everyone on a professional moving team goes through the appropriate training to learn the appropriate safety procedures, injuries still happen. After all, moving is a strenuous line of work, so it\u2019s important that home movers have the ability to take care of their workers. If they don\u2019t offer workers’ compensation, you will get hit with the bill. There have been some scams where uninsured movers will fake an injury to extort money from unsuspecting customers. Don\u2019t fall for it! Make sure to confirm that they have the appropriate insurance and have them send over proof!When it comes to proof, you should ask movers for a certificate of insurance (COI). The COI isn\u2019t insurance, but it does show that the NYC movers have different types of insurance in one easy-to-read form. Many high-rise buildings require this before allowing movers to enter the building, as it shows that the movers are properly insured and will cover any damages that happen. In some cases, you won\u2019t even be able to reserve time to use the freight elevator until the management company receives a COI. Keep in mind that some buildings require more insurance than others, so make sure you request a COI template from your new and old buildings before booking a mover. If the movers don\u2019t have all the requested forms, they won\u2019t be able to enter the building. If that happens, you\u2019ll have to spend extra money rebooking the movers and putting your belongings in storage or waiting potentially hours to get an updated COI.Make sure to also request a copy of the COI be sent to you, just in case your management company doesn\u2019t receive it from the movers. It\u2019s also a good time to check the information to make sure there aren\u2019t any issues, such as the total insured amount, the name on the COI not matching the name of the moving company, and the policy date ending before your move.ConclusionEvery move in New York is unique and requires specific skills and expertise. Careless moving is generally what every homeowner wants to avoid. While it might require a bit more time and money upfront, making sure your moving company has the proper licenses and insurance will save you a lot of issues after the move. The top movers in New York and beyond are always happy to provide as much information as possible because they have nothing to hide.If you\u2019re looking for a well-respected local NYC mover, we\u2019re an excellent option. We at NYC Great Movers are both licensed and insured, so we can make your next move easy. We can relocate your belongings without damaging them and at a reasonable price to boot.To inquire about our services, you can get in touch with us:Phone: 718-569-7124, (888)922-7271, (732)384-1604Email: info@nycgreatmovers.comWeb: www.nycgreatmovers.comYelp: http:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/great-moversYp: http:\/\/www.yellowpages.com\/brooklyn-ny\/mip\/great-movers FAQ                    \t\t\t\tWhat is your license number?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tYou can look us up with the following numbers US DOT 2180117 \/ NYS DOT 39493 \/ MC 919428                                                         \t\t                    \t\t\t\t Can you provide a COI?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tYes, we can provide one. Just make sure to send over the sample template from your building so we can fill it out properly.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\t Is NYC Great Movers Insured?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tYes we have general liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. We also offer moving insurance to our clients. Please contact us for more information!                                                        \t\t    {\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\t\t\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\t\t\"mainEntity\": [\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"What is your license number?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"You can look us up with the following numbers US DOT 2180117 \/ NYS DOT 39493 \/ MC 919428\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\t\t\t}\t\t\t,\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \" Can you provide a COI?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"Yes, we can provide one. 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