Your Rights When Moving Interstate (FMCSA Rules Explained by a Carrier)
- Just Movers
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Author: Artur Brooks — Owner & Operations Manager, Just Movers LLC
Experience: Interstate moving, storage, claims & valuation handling
TL;DR — Short Answer
When you move interstate in the U.S., your rights and responsibilities are governed by FMCSA regulations and your signed Bill of Lading / Moving Contract. Movers are allowed to provide delivery windows, use weight-based pricing, apply storage fees, and process claims according to valuation terms — even if customers expect “guaranteed delivery dates” or “full insurance coverage”.
Most disputes happen because customers misunderstand:
valuation coverage vs insurance
non-guaranteed delivery windows
storage fees during delays
claim calculation at $0.60/lb
First Available Delivery Date
tariff-based payment rules
This guide explains how it legally works — and how we handle it as a carrier.
What FMCSA Regulates
FMCSA governs:
how prices are estimated & revised
how shipments are weighed
how delivery windows are structured
how valuation coverage works
how claims are processed
when movers may charge storage
when arbitration is required
FMCSA does not regulate:
exact delivery dates
sentimental value of items
subjective damage expectations
customer convenience costs
emotional impact or stress
Interstate moving is a logistics process — not a fixed-date courier service.
Delivery Dates & Windows — What the Law Actually Says
FMCSA allows carriers to provide:
✔ delivery windows✔ estimated transit times✔ First Available Delivery Dates
Movers are not required to guarantee:
✖ specific calendar dates✖ same-week delivery✖ delivery based on customer preferences
Delivery time depends on:
distance & routing
load consolidation
weather
DOT hours-of-service limits
truck availability
seasonality
Why delays still fall within regulations
Delays are typically compliant if:
shipment remains in carrier custody
delivery occurs within contract delivery window
updates & communication are documented
If delivery exceeds window — the case moves into:
storage-in-transit
re-delivery scheduling
claim eligibility evaluation (case-by-case)
We always document:
driver logs
routing
storage details
communication timeline
Because paperwork = truth in arbitration.
First Available Delivery Date — Why It Matters
Delivery windows usually begin not from pickup date — but from:
👉 The date the customer is ready to receive shipment.
This protects both sides.
Examples:
Customer finishes renovations on the 12th →FADD = 12th →Delivery window starts from 12th
Customer travels and is unavailable →FADD adjusts to availability date
This is standard FMCSA practice (not a “policy trick”).
Storage Fees & Proration — What Is Legal
Storage fees may apply when:
delivery falls outside window due to customer availability
building does not allow delivery on scheduled date
customer requests “hold delivery”
customer postpones receipt
shipment is placed in SIT storage
FMCSA allows:
✔ daily or monthly storage billing✔ minimum storage periods✔ non-prorated billing cycles (per tariff)
If storage is defined as:
"monthly storage term"
Then legally:
✖ month cannot be prorated ✔ customer is charged by storage cycle
This is why expectations must match contract language.
At Just Movers we:
explain storage rules BEFORE invoicing
send written fee breakdowns
avoid surprises
Valuation Coverage vs Insurance — The #1 Misunderstanding
Most customers believe:
“Movers must pay full price for damaged items”
In reality:
FMCSA requires movers to offer:
Option 1 — Released Value
Default valuationCompensation:
👉 $0.60 per lb per article
Example:
TV weight 30 lb →Claim value = $18
This option costs $0 to customer — because:
✔ it is NOT insurance✔ it is limited liability
Option 2 — Full Value Protection (FVP)
Customer-paid upgrade
Carrier can:
repair
replace
pay cash settlement
With deductible if applicable
This is the only option resembling insurance.
At Just Movers we:
document valuation choice at pickup
confirm it verbally & in writing
upload photos & inventory records
submit damages into claim portal within 24–48h
This protects both:
✔ customer✔ carrier
How Claims Are Legally Processed
FMCSA allows:
written claim submission
supporting photos
weight-based calculation (Released Value)
deadlines defined in tariff
Typical process:
Customer submits written claim
Photos & documentation reviewed
Contract valuation confirmed
Settlement calculated
Payment issued or repair approved
If valuation is released value —settlement follows $0.60/lb formula.
If valuation is full value —repair / replacement rules apply.
Arbitration — When It Applies
Arbitration may be required when:
claim amount is disputed
liability is contested
valuation interpretation differs
Arbitration does NOT apply to:
credit card chargebacks
storage fees
contractual payment disputes
We recommend arbitration when:
✔ documentation is strong ✔ shipment was inventoried properly ✔ damages were inspected at delivery
Because facts win cases — emotions don’t.
How We Handle These Situations at Just Movers
Our internal standards:
delivery windows explained upfront
valuation reviewed at pickup
inventory photos uploaded
communication documented
claims processed transparently
We prefer:
✔ clear expectations ✔ fewer disputes ✔ fewer surprises for customers
Interstate moving works best when everyone understands the rules.
FAQ
Are movers legally required to guarantee delivery dates? No — FMCSA allows delivery windows.
Can storage be prorated? Only if tariff defines billing that way.
Why was my claim paid $0.60 per lb? Released valuation was selected.
Can I reopen a closed claim? Only in defined circumstances.
Can movers hold my shipment? Yes — in SIT storage under legal conditions.
Author
Written by: Artur Brooks — Owner & Operations Manager Interstate moving, storage & claims operations expert
Just Movers / BY Logistic LLC Dallas, TX • Miami, FL #InterstateMoving #MovingGuide #FMCSARules #MovingClaims #FullValueProtection #MovingInsurance #StorageInTransit #DeliveryWindow #LostBoxes #MovingDisputes #MovingIndustry #ConsumerRights #USMovingRegulations
