movingcost.net

Trust & verification

Five things we promise.

Every operating principle MovingCost runs on, written so you can hold us to them — how we verify movers, why your phone number doesn't get resold, and what data goes where.

Our promises

The principles, in plain English

Not aspirations — the rules the product is built on.

  1. 01

    Every mover is FMCSA-verified

    We pull the FMCSA SAFER database every week and remove movers who lose authority, get cited for serious violations, or miss a renewal. Verification is the floor, not the ceiling — operating authority is necessary but not sufficient to be in our network.

  2. 02

    One vetted mover per request

    When you ask for a binding quote, we connect you with exactly one partner mover suited to your route. Not three. Not six. We don't run a bidding war on your phone.

  3. 03

    Your phone number doesn't get resold

    Phone numbers go to your mover and to our internal record-keeping. They are not sold to data brokers, lead aggregators, or anyone else. This is a contract with you, not just a privacy policy line.

  4. 04

    The calculator never gates results

    You can use the calculator without an account, without an email, without a phone number. The number is the product. Lead capture is opt-in afterward.

  5. 05

    Methodology is public

    Our calculator's formula, weight tables, and seasonality multipliers are published in plain English. If you don't agree with our math, you can challenge ours and any mover's against the same baseline.

How we verify movers

The FMCSA SAFER process

Verification is a standing check, not a one-time badge. Here's the loop every mover in the network runs through.

Step 1

Look up the USDOT number

Before a mover can join the network we pull its USDOT record from the FMCSA SAFER database and confirm it holds active interstate operating authority — the federal license required to move household goods across state lines.

Step 2

Check authority, insurance & history

We confirm the carrier's operating authority is active (not revoked or pending), that required insurance is on file, and we review its public safety and complaint record. Authority is the floor — a clean record keeps a mover in the network.

Step 3

Re-sync every week

Authority status changes. We re-pull SAFER weekly and remove any mover that loses authority, gets cited for a serious violation, or misses a renewal. Verification isn't a one-time badge — it's a standing check.

FMCSA / USDOT verified

Every carrier we match is federally licensed and looked up in the FMCSA SAFER database.

Fully insured

Licensed interstate movers carry the cargo and liability coverage your move requires.

100% money-back guarantee

Not happy with your match? We'll make it right — that's our promise.

FAQ

Verification & data, answered

How do I check a mover's license myself?
Ask the mover for its USDOT number, then look it up in the FMCSA SAFER database at fmcsa.dot.gov. The record shows whether the carrier has active operating authority, what insurance is on file, and its safety and complaint history. Any interstate mover that can't give you a USDOT number should be avoided.
What is a USDOT number?
A USDOT number is the federal identifier the U.S. Department of Transportation assigns to commercial carriers, including movers that cross state lines. It ties a company to its operating authority, insurance, and safety record in the FMCSA's public SAFER database — so it's the single number you use to verify that a mover is federally licensed.
Do you sell my information?
No. Your phone number and contact details go to the single mover we match you with and to our own internal record-keeping. We do not sell or resell your information to data brokers, lead aggregators, or anyone else. That's an operating promise, not just a line in the privacy policy.
How many movers will contact me?
One. When you request a binding quote we connect you with exactly one partner mover suited to your route — never three or six. We don't run a bidding war on your phone.
Do I have to give a phone number to see a price?
No. The calculator works without an account, an email, or a phone number — the estimate is the product, and it's never gated. You only share contact details if you choose to request a quote from a mover afterward.
Does a USDOT number alone mean a mover is good?
No. Active operating authority is necessary but not sufficient. It confirms a mover is federally licensed to do the work, but it doesn't speak to service quality. That's why we also review a carrier's insurance, safety record, and complaint history, and re-check it weekly.

See who passes the bar.

Browse the FMCSA-verified movers in our network, or run a free estimate first — no phone number required.

See verified moversGet a free quote