If your move starts and ends in Florida, it is covered by Chapter 507 of the Florida Statutes (Household Moving Services), enforced by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Moves to or from another state fall under federal FMCSA rules instead; see Moving estimates explained.
This is a plain-English summary of the 2025 text of the law, not legal advice.
1. Movers and moving brokers must be registered
Every mover and moving broker that handles household moves within Florida must register with FDACS. A registered mover must:
- show "Fla. Mover Reg. No." (or "Fla. IM No.") with its number in every advertisement;
- show the same number on the driver's side door of each truck, in letters at least 1.5 inches high;
- state on estimates and contracts that it is registered with the State of Florida as a mover.
A moving broker must show "Fla. Moving Broker Reg. No." and may only work with registered movers.
No registration number in the ad, on the truck or on the estimate is a reason to stop. You can confirm a registration with FDACS online or by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352).
MovingRater shows FMCSA records. A Florida company can have an active USDOT number and still lack the state registration, so check both for a move within Florida.
2. Insurance
A Florida mover must carry, among other coverage:
- liability insurance of at least $10,000 per shipment for loss or damage to household goods caused by its negligence (movers with two vehicles or fewer may instead post a $50,000 bond or certificate of deposit);
- vehicle liability coverage from $50,000 to $300,000 per occurrence, depending on truck weight.
Moving brokers must post a $50,000 bond or certificate of deposit.
3. Written estimate and contract before any work
Before providing any moving service, the mover must give you a written estimate and a contract, signed or electronically acknowledged and dated by you and the mover (and the broker, if there is one). They must include:
- the mover's name, address and contact details;
- pickup and delivery dates and addresses;
- where your goods will be stored, including during a dispute about fees;
- an itemized breakdown of all costs;
- the forms of payment the mover accepts.
4. Payment
The mover must accept at least two of these three forms of payment: cash or cashier's check (or money order, traveler's check), a valid personal check, or a valid credit card. A mover may not refuse to release your goods because it refuses an accepted form of payment.
5. Liability: at least 60 cents per pound
A Florida mover may not limit its liability below 60 cents per pound per article, and must disclose any limitation and its valuation rate in writing when you sign, before any work starts. If it offers extra valuation coverage, it must tell you the cost, the rate and that you may refuse it.
6. Releasing your goods
- The mover must deliver your goods once you pay the amount in the signed estimate or contract.
- It may never hold back prescription medicines or goods for children, including children's furniture, clothing and toys.
- If it lawfully holds your goods in storage, it must tell you where they are and how much is due within 5 days of your written request.
- Refusing a law enforcement order to release goods, when you have paid the amount in the estimate or contract, is a third-degree felony.
7. What Florida movers may not do
The law lists prohibited practices, including: misrepresenting the contract, prices or delivery dates; holding goods after payment; putting a waiver of your rights in the contract; hiding the real business address behind a mail drop or answering service; and placing your goods in a self-storage unit owned by someone else without a direct contract in your name. Violations are also treated as deceptive and unfair trade practices under Florida law.
Florida movers in our directory
We track 11,603 moving companies based in Florida with an active USDOT number. 529 of them hold active interstate household goods authority as carriers, and 145 are brokers. See the Florida moving companies report or browse movers in Florida.
Check a moving company now: name, USDOT or MC number.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 507, Household Moving Services (2025). Check the current text on the Florida Senate website before relying on details.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Company data on MovingRater comes from public FMCSA records; see How we check movers.