By the Team at Craig Van Lines | Gainesville & Fairfax, VA | Serving Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington, D.C. since 1918

Published: September 6, 2023 | Last Updated: May 2026

When you hire a moving company, one of the most important — and most misunderstood — topics that comes up is coverage. What happens if something is damaged? What does the mover actually owe you? And should you buy additional insurance on top of what the moving company provides?

Most people assume they are covered the moment they sign a contract with a licensed mover. The reality is more nuanced, and understanding it before moving day can make a significant difference if something goes wrong.

This guide explains exactly how moving valuation coverage works under federal law, how it differs from third-party moving insurance, and how to decide which option makes sense for your specific move.

CRAIG VAN LINES EXPERTISE Craig Van Lines has been moving families and businesses across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Metro Washington D.C. since 1918 — over 100 years and five generations of the Craig family. We are A+ accredited by the Better Business Bureau and members of the American Moving and Storage Association. The guidance in this post reflects what we explain to every customer before their move.

First, an Important Distinction: Valuation Is Not Insurance

The term “moving insurance” is used loosely in the industry, but it is technically incorrect in most cases. What moving companies are federally required to offer is called valuation coverage — not insurance. The difference matters legally and practically.

Under the Carmack Amendment to the Interstate Commerce Act and regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), every licensed interstate moving company is required to offer customers a choice between two levels of valuation coverage before the move begins. These are not optional add-ons — offering them is a federal requirement. What you choose, however, is up to you.

2 Federal coverage options required by law on every interstate move

60¢ Per pound per article the default Released Value Protection rate

100% Replacement value what Full Value Protection is designed to cover

Option 1: Released Value Protection (The Free Default)

Released Value Protection is the baseline level of coverage that every licensed interstate mover must provide at no additional charge. If you do not explicitly select Full Value Protection, this is what applies to your move by default.

What it covers

Under Released Value Protection, the mover’s liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. That means if a 40-pound flatscreen television is damaged beyond repair, the mover’s maximum liability is $24.00 — regardless of what the TV cost or what it would cost to replace it.

This coverage level was set by federal regulation and has not been adjusted to reflect modern household values. For most people moving today, especially in Northern Virginia where home values and household contents are well above national averages, Released Value Protection provides very limited financial protection.

When it may be adequate

Released Value Protection is generally sufficient only in limited circumstances:

You are moving a small number of items with low individual replacement value.
You are supplementing with a separate third-party moving insurance policy that covers the gap.
Your homeowners or renters insurance policy explicitly covers belongings during transit at full replacement value — and you have confirmed this in writing with your insurer.

Real-World Example A 50-pound antique dresser worth $3,500 is damaged during transit. Under Released Value Protection, the mover owes you $30.00 (50 lbs x 60 cents). Under Full Value Protection, the mover would owe you the cost of repair or replacement — up to the full value.

Option 2: Full Value Protection (The Comprehensive Option)

Full Value Protection is the higher level of coverage, and it provides meaningfully stronger protection for your belongings. Under this option, the moving company is liable for the replacement value of any lost or damaged item at current market value, not depreciated weight-based value.

What it covers

Under Full Value Protection, if an item is lost or damaged during the move, the mover must:

Repair the item to its original condition, OR
Replace it with a comparable item of similar kind and quality, OR
Make a cash settlement for the current market replacement value.

Full Value Protection typically comes with a deductible and an additional cost, which varies by moving company and the declared value of your shipment. The rate is usually calculated based on the total declared value of all items being moved.

High-value item declarations

Even with Full Value Protection, items of extraordinary value — typically those worth more than $100 per pound — require a High-Value Inventory form to be fully protected. This includes items such as fine art, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and certain electronics. If you do not list these items on the inventory before the move, the mover’s liability may still be limited.

At Craig Van Lines, our team walks every customer through the inventory and valuation process before any move. For customers moving high-value items, we recommend reviewing our full-service packing options, which include professional packing of fragile and high-value pieces.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Released Value vs. Full Value Protection

	Released Value Protection	Full Value Protection
Cost to you	Free (included by default)	Additional fee (varies by declared value)
Coverage basis	60 cents per pound per article	Current market replacement value
Deductible	None	Yes, typically applies
Best for	Low-value items or supplemental plan	Most moves, especially higher-value goods
High-value items covered	Only at 60 cents/lb	Yes, with High-Value Inventory declaration
Mover options if damage	Pay 60 cents per lb	Repair, replace, or cash settlement
Federally required	Yes	Yes (must be offered)
Recommended for NoVA	Rarely sufficient alone	Yes, for most residential & commercial moves

Third-Party Moving Insurance: When You Need an Extra Layer

Valuation coverage — whether Released Value or Full Value — is provided by the moving company and is regulated under federal transportation law. It is not insurance in the traditional sense. For moves where you want the protection of an actual insurance policy, separate third-party moving insurance is available from independent providers.

What third-party moving insurance covers

Third-party moving insurance policies vary widely, but they typically cover:

Damage from accidents or natural disasters during transit
Loss or theft of items during the move
Coverage gaps not addressed by the mover’s valuation coverage
Some policies cover items you pack yourself, which movers’ valuation coverage typically does not

Before purchasing third-party moving insurance, check with your homeowners or renters insurance provider first. Some policies include transit coverage for personal property, but many do not — and the ones that do often have limitations on coverage amount or require a separate rider. Get the answer in writing from your insurer, not over the phone.

When third-party insurance makes sense

You are moving long-distance with a large, high-value household.
Military PCS moves: Government Bill of Lading (GBL) moves are governed by different rules. Service members and their families should review the specific coverage terms applicable to their orders rather than assuming standard civilian valuation applies.
You have items excluded from or undervalued by the mover’s high-value inventory process.
You want protection against scenarios the mover’s coverage does not address, such as weather-related damage or delayed delivery.

The FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move publication is the authoritative federal consumer guide on this topic. We recommend every customer read the relevant sections before signing any moving contract.

Northern Virginia Considerations

Most national guidance on moving coverage is written for a national average. Northern Virginia is not average. Here is what makes coverage decisions in this market different:

High household values

Northern Virginia consistently ranks among the highest-cost housing markets in the country. Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and the DC suburbs have median home values well above the national average. The household contents in these homes — furniture, electronics, art, antiques, and custom pieces — reflect that. Released Value Protection at 60 cents per pound was not designed with Northern Virginia households in mind.

Military and government relocations

The Northern Virginia region has one of the highest concentrations of active-duty military personnel and federal government contractors in the country. Military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are governed by Defense Department regulations rather than standard FMCSA rules. If you are moving under military orders, verify your specific coverage with your transportation office before assuming standard valuation terms apply.

HOA and condominium building requirements

Many condominium buildings and HOA communities in Northern Virginia require movers to provide proof of insurance before a move is permitted. This is separate from valuation coverage — it is general liability insurance that protects the building during the move. Craig Van Lines carries full general liability and cargo insurance and can provide certificates of insurance upon request before your move date. Read more about our residential moving services in Northern Virginia.

What Happens If Something Is Damaged?

Knowing what coverage you have before the move is only half the picture. Knowing how to use it if something goes wrong is the other half.

Document everything before and during the move

Take photographs and video of high-value or fragile items before packing begins. Note any pre-existing damage in writing on the Bill of Lading (the moving contract) before you sign it. Once the move is complete, inspect items as promptly as possible and note any damage on the delivery receipt before the crew leaves.

Filing a claim

For interstate moves, federal law gives you a minimum of nine months from the delivery date to file a damage claim with the mover. The mover then has 30 days to acknowledge receipt of the claim and 120 days to resolve it or deny it. If the claim is denied, you have the option to pursue arbitration — all federally licensed movers are required to offer arbitration as a dispute resolution option.

Items packed by owner

Items you pack yourself — rather than having the moving company pack — are generally excluded from the mover’s damage liability, unless the outer box itself was visibly damaged. If you have items that concern you, consider using Craig Van Lines’ professional packing services for those specific pieces. Our team is trained to pack fragile and high-value items to professional standards, and packing by our crew preserves your claim rights if something is damaged in transit.

How Craig Van Lines Approaches Coverage

At Craig Van Lines, we go through valuation coverage options with every customer before any contract is signed. We do not assume customers know the difference between Released Value and Full Value Protection, because most people have never been told — clearly and plainly — what those terms mean.

Before your move, we will explain both options, help you assess whether your existing homeowners or renters policy fills the gap, and recommend Full Value Protection for most residential moves in Northern Virginia. We will also walk you through the High-Value Inventory process for any items that need special attention.

We have been doing this for over 100 years across five generations of the Craig family, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau since 1984. Coverage questions are part of every conversation — not an afterthought. You can read what our customers say on our moving reviews page, or contact us directly to discuss your specific move.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference between moving insurance and valuation coverage?

Valuation coverage is the protection offered by the moving company itself, governed by federal transportation law. It determines how much the mover is liable for if your items are lost or damaged. Moving insurance is a separate product sold by third-party insurance companies that provides broader protection beyond what the mover’s valuation coverage includes. Every licensed interstate mover is required by the FMCSA to offer two valuation options: Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection.

What is Released Value Protection?

Released Value Protection is the default, no-cost valuation coverage required by federal law. Under this option, the mover’s liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For a 30-pound item worth $1,500, the maximum payout would be $18. It is included in every interstate move at no charge unless the customer selects Full Value Protection instead.

What is Full Value Protection?

Full Value Protection is the higher coverage tier. Under this option, the mover is responsible for the current market replacement value of any lost or damaged item — meaning the mover must repair the item, replace it with a comparable one, or pay a cash settlement equal to its replacement cost. It typically comes with an additional fee and a deductible, both of which vary by mover and declared shipment value.

Is Released Value Protection enough for my move?

For most moves in Northern Virginia, Released Value Protection alone is not sufficient. At 60 cents per pound, the payout on a damaged item is almost always far less than the item’s actual value. Most families moving in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, or Alexandria have household contents that far exceed what Released Value Protection would cover in a worst-case scenario. Full Value Protection or a supplemental third-party policy is strongly recommended.

Does my homeowners or renters insurance cover my belongings during a move?

It depends on your specific policy. Some homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for personal property while in transit, but many do not — or they cover only a portion of the value. Before your move, contact your insurance provider in writing to confirm whether transit coverage applies, what the limits are, and whether a rider or endorsement is needed. Do not rely on a verbal confirmation.

Do I need separate moving insurance in addition to the mover’s valuation coverage?

You may, depending on the value of your belongings and whether your existing homeowners or renters insurance covers the gap. If you are selecting Full Value Protection from the mover and have high-value items listed on the High-Value Inventory form, you may have adequate protection. If you are using Released Value Protection or have items that fall outside the mover’s coverage, a third-party policy is worth considering. The FMCSA consumer guide is a helpful starting point for understanding your options.

What qualifies as a high-value item for moving purposes?

Under federal moving regulations, a high-value item is generally defined as any item worth more than $100 per pound of its weight. Common examples include jewelry, fine art, antiques, collectibles, furs, and certain electronics. These items must be specifically listed on a High-Value Inventory form before the move in order to be fully covered under Full Value Protection. Items not listed may be subject to the 60-cents-per-pound limit even if Full Value Protection is selected.

What should I do if the movers damage something?

Document the damage immediately: photograph the item and note the damage on the delivery receipt before the crew leaves. Then file a written claim with the moving company as soon as possible. For interstate moves, federal law gives you at least nine months from delivery to file. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge the claim and 120 days to resolve or deny it. If the claim is denied or unresolved, you have the right to request arbitration.

Are items I pack myself covered by the mover’s valuation coverage?

Generally, no. If you pack items yourself and they are damaged, the mover is typically not liable unless the outer carton shows visible damage. This is one of the key reasons professional packing is recommended for fragile or high-value items. If Craig Van Lines packs an item and it arrives damaged, our liability for that item is preserved under the applicable valuation coverage. See our packing services page for details.

How does valuation coverage work differently for local moves vs. long-distance moves?

Federal FMCSA valuation rules apply specifically to interstate (long-distance) moves that cross state lines. For intrastate moves entirely within Virginia, state regulations apply and the coverage framework may differ slightly. Craig Van Lines serves both local and long-distance customers throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC. We explain the applicable coverage rules for your specific move type during the estimate process. See our service area page for the communities we serve.

What is a Bill of Lading and why does it matter for coverage?

The Bill of Lading is the legal contract between you and the moving company. It documents the terms of the move, the coverage level selected, the declared value of your shipment, and any existing damage noted before loading. If something goes wrong, the Bill of Lading is the document that governs your rights and the mover’s obligations. Read it carefully, note any pre-existing damage before signing, and keep a copy.

How do I get a written estimate and discuss coverage with Craig Van Lines?

We offer free, no-obligation written estimates for all residential and commercial moves. Our team can visit your home, conduct a virtual walkthrough, or discuss your move by phone. Coverage options — including Released Value Protection, Full Value Protection, and whether your existing homeowners policy fills the gap — are part of every estimate conversation. Contact us here or call (703) 273-5533 to get started.

Moving Insurance vs. Valuation Coverage: What’s the Difference and What Do You Actually Need?