Texas Household Movers Insurance

Written by Craig Barbee, CEO of Barbee Jackson Insurance. Household movers continue to be in high demand and moving companies need to keep up with State and Federal insurance requirements. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of Texas based household movers. 

Keep Texans Moving with Barbee Jackson Insurance

The nation is moving and Texas is rapidly becoming the number one state to move to for the coming years. As the country moves the demand for Household Movers is steadily increasing and without the proper insurance you could be held financially responsible in the event of a claim. That’s where Barbee Jackson Insurance comes in to help you secure the right insurance at the best price.

As an independent insurance agency we can shop several different insurance companies to find you the coverage you need at the best price. Call today to speak to one of our licensed insurance agents (850) 389-2001 (Spanish speaking associates are available) 

What are the Requirements to be a Household Mover in Texas?

Household Movers are governed by the TxDMV with a Household Goods Carrier Permit. TxDMV is the governing body for truckers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs and more but what separates commercial trucks from household movers with similar size trucks  are the insurance minimum requirements and filings. 

TxDMV requires all commercial trucks with a GVWR of more than 26,000 to carry $500,000 in auto liability. Household movers are only required to carry at least a $300,000 auto liability policy. Along with auto liability, household movers are required to carry cargo insurance in the amount of $5,000 for a single shipment and/or $10,000 aggregate for multiple shipments.
Filings Required
Form E - Electronically filed by the insurance company that is Proof of Liability Insurance
Form H & I - Electronically filed by the insurance company that shows that you have met the minimum requirements of cargo insurance.

💡Craig’s Pro Tip - Both the limit of liability and cargo requirements are extremely low. We recommend much higher liability limits. Also cargo at $5,000 would not cover a typical move. We would recommend at least $50,000 in cargo coverage or more.

Thinking about Crossing State Lines?
All the insurance requirements listed above are for in state hauling referred to as Intrastate. If you plan on crossing state lines then your moving company is subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements.

The FMCSA requires all Household Movers to maintain $750,000 in Combined Single Limit (CSL) commercial auto liability. In addition you are required to carry the same limit of cargo insurance as Texas in the amount of $5,000 for a single shipment and/or $10,000 aggregate for multiple shipments. The filing requirement for cargo is the BMC-34. 

Average Cost of Household Movers Insurance in Texas?

If you are not planning on crossing state lines and maintaining a local radius of 500 miles or less you can expect to pay around $7,500 per year for each unit. This is just an average, some people will pay less and some people will pay more for the insurance.

Different insurance companies will give us different rates depending on years in business, location, driving records and a whole host of other things. We will guide you through the rates to find your company the best rate available.

Other Coverage Options

Commercial General Liability
Many of our Moving Companies will choose to add an extra layer of protection in the form of General Liability Insurance. General liability usually is used in the event of a slip and fall, but it also can protect your business in the event you cause damage to the building that you are moving in or out of.

Workers Compensation
When your employees clock in for the day you are responsible for all injuries that happen on the job. Workers Comp will pay medical costs for employees injured on the job.

Auto Physical Damage
Moving trucks can be expensive and without the proper coverage you could be out thousands of dollars. By adding Comprehensive and Collision you can avoid costly out of pocket expenses if the vehicle is damaged by an accident or weather related.

Questions and Answers

So the insurance company files everything on my behalf?
Yes, the insurance company will file everything electronically to the state of the federal government. This goes two ways… we file when you get the insurance and if it expires we also file that you do not have a policy active with the insurance company, which would lead to suspension for your authority.

I use rental moving trucks like Uhaul. Can I get coverage?
No, our insurance companies require that you either own the truck or have a long-term lease (12 months or more).

Can I get cargo only coverage?
Yes, but this will depend on if you own the truck/long term lease and we will require a copy of the current auto liability policy.

Join Thousands who Trust Barbee Jackson Insurance!

Barbee Jackson Insurance has been the trusted insurance professionals for thousands of businesses like yours across the United States. We maintain solid 5 Star Google reviews by more than 500+ businesses like yours. When you are ready to get started Barbee Jackson will find you the best rate. Call today to get started (850) 389-2001