Florida Household Movers Insurance for Local or Long Distance Household Goods Movers

Written By; Caleb Jackson VP of Transportation for Barbee Jackson Insurance. Caleb is TRIP certified - meaning that he has extensive training in trucking insurance. This article will guide you through the ins-and-outs of Florida Household Movers Insurance.

Looking to Household Movers Insurance? Then Barbee Jackson Insurance is here to help. We insure hundreds of movers in the State of Florida and the U.S. We work with the leading insurance companies that specialize in insuring Household Movers here in Florida. Our trucking agents are experts in getting you the best coverage while making sure you are compliant with the Department of Transportation(DOT) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services(FDACS).

Don’t work with an agency that doesn’t understand the regulatory environment in which Florida Household Movers operate. Work with an agency that understands the rules and regulations and will make sure that you get the right coverage - Call (850) 389-2001

Florida’s Governing Body for Household Movers

For household movers that move goods just within the State of Florida (not crossing state lines - intrastate) the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services(FDACS) will be your governing body. Movers must comply with minimum insurance requirements by vehicle weight, a surety bond or 60-cents-per pound liability (Cargo Insurance) under Florida Statute 507.

If you are crossing state lines (interstate) then you are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.(FMCSA). The FMCSA does not go by Gross Vehicle Weight(GVW) like Florida - they require the following:

• USDOT Number
• Motor Carrier Number (MC)
• Form BMC-91/91X - this is $750,000 in auto liability insurance
• BMC-34 or BMC-83 (Cargo Insurance) - Minimum limits of $5,000 per vehicle $10,000 per occurrence 

💡Caleb’s Notes - This is why I pointed out earlier that you need to work with an agency that has a department dedicated to truckers. The coverage requirements can be confusing for most insurance agents. 

Florida Minimum Insurance Requirements by Weight Class

All the minimum insurance requirements apply as auto liability. This means it only covers you for liability to others in case of an accident and the limits are Combined SIngle Limit(CSL) of property damage and bodily injury.

Trucks under 35,000 lbs - $50,000

Trucks 35,000-44,000 lbs - $100,000

44,000+ lbs - $300,000

Cargo Insurance - Released Value Protection vs. Full Value Protection

Cargo insurance is another complicated coverage that household mover must hurdle in order to get the right insurance coverage for your business. As previously stated, under Florida Statute 507 - a surety bond or “60-cents-per-pound liability”. This is how that works:

Released Value Protection - pays only 60 cents per pound per article, not the full value. For example - if you damage an item that weighs 50-lb and is worth $2,000, then the policy would only pay out $30. The math works like this 50 lbs x 0.60/lb = $30.00

Full Value Protection - Pays for the full value of the item that was damaged or lost up to policy limits

💡Caleb’s Notes - Most professional mover choose Full Value Protection 

Call today for you free quote (850) 389-2001

Basic Coverage Options

• Auto Liability Coverage - Coverage levels start at $50,000 Combined Single Limit (CSL). CSL is a limit that combines property damage and bodily injury under one coverage level. 
• Physical Damage - Coverage for the box truck or semi-truck
• Cargo Liability - Coverage for goods that you haul
• Warehouse Legal Liability – Liability for the storage of goods for others while in the care, custody, and control.
• Commercial General Liability - Liability insurance for on-the-site accidents
• Workers Compensation - Medical payments for workers injured on the job. The State of Florida requires all household movers to carry workers compensation if they have 4 or more employees. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This is a great company to work with. Tyler Henderson is an excellent agent, he is very helpful and always available to answer questions and is extremely helpful. He seems genuinely interested in seeing my business is successful. Thank you Tyler” - Clint Draper

How Much Does Household Moving Insurance Cost?

Auto Liability, Cargo and Physical Damage will depend on several factors including, but not limited to the radius of operation, driving record, location, coverage amount and years in business. You can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 per unit to $20,000 per unit for interstate operations.

Commercial General Liability can be added as a separate coverage and starts at $1,200 per year.

Our agents are experts in insuring moving companies throughout the United States. They will ask the right questions to get you the best coverage at the best price.

Join the Thousands that switched and Saved. Call (850) 389-2001

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Tyler, Afton and Courtney are a true credit to Barbee Jackson Insurance. I have been using them for several years. Very informative, efficient and an absolute pleasure to deal with🙂” = Niel Stanford

What you can Expect from Barbee Jackson Insurance

• No prompt or voicemail. We answer the call by the second ring!
• Expert advice from agents that have been doing transportation insurance for 20+ years
• Low Down payments 
• Our best price, the first time!
• Two dedicated trucking experts for everyone one of our clients ensuring you the best service

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get coverage if I rent a truck instead of owning one?
No, the insurance companies consider that as too high of a risk. You must own a truck in order to get liability or cargo coverage. 

Can I buy a standalone cargo insurance policy?
Yes, we are aware that some trucking insurance companies don’t offer cargo insurance. We can provide coverage and the proper filing as long as you provide us a copy of your current insurance policy.

Can I use my personal auto policy for a moving truck?
No, personal auto policies will not add a commercial vehicle to a personal auto policy.

Do I get a discount if I have a dashcam?
If you have a dashcam, then certain insurance companies will give you a discount of 2%-5%. Dashcams are highly recommended in the legal environment. We have seen accidents where the claimant says our driver hit them and the video shows the opposite. We also recommend forward and driver dashcams - the drivers will be less likely to text and drive if they know they are being watched.

What happens if my insurance lapses?
If your insurance lapses, then the insurance company will notify the FDACS (for Florida only movers) or the FMCSA (interstate) and they will suspend the vehicle’s operating authority. If you get stopped with a lapse policy they will make you park the truck until you have current insurance. They also reserve the right to impound the truck at your expense.

“Excellent service and clear communication. They were knowledgeable, efficient, and made sure I understood my coverage. I’m glad I chose them.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Ayele Akibulan

Ready to get Started…We are ready to help (850) 389-2001