How We Audit, Verify, & Rate Movers

Our comprehensive approach to evaluating moving companies

Home/Rating Process

Our directory pulls data of every licensed mover registered with the Department of Transportation. We then cross-reference that list with the Better Business Bureau's customer complaint data to give users a comprehensive overview into a company's background in one, easy-to-use directory.

Brokers that have a high complaint history with the FMCSA or show below a C- rating on the BBB are automatically flagged “Buyer Beware”, indicated with a red highlight on the directory listing.

Carriers that are highlighted in green are movers that are verified by the USMPO. This means that their rates and service have been audited and approved to uphold a higher standard. Companies that are verified submit their rates to the USMPO, allowing site users to transparently see their transportation rates.

7,002
Companies tracked
172
USMPO Verified
115
Caution flagged

Directory counts as of August 18, 2026. Full sources, limitations, and dispute process are documented in our verification methodology.

Verification Requirements: The 8-Point Audit

Before a carrier can be rated, it must pass the USMPO 8-point audit. All eight checks must pass; failing any one disqualifies the carrier from verified status.

  1. Federally Licensed Carrier — active USDOT & MC authority for household goods transportation.
  2. Active Insurance Coverage — verified cargo, liability, and workers comp insurance on file.
  3. Background Checked Crews — moving crews screened prior to entering customer homes.
  4. Company-Owned Trucks & Equipment — carrier operates branded commercial vehicles and equipment.
  5. Verified Customer Reviews — consistently high ratings across independent review platforms.
  6. Accurate Estimate Standards — documented inventory process designed to improve quote accuracy.
  7. Transparent Online Pricing — ability to receive clear pricing and book services online.
  8. No Hostage Load or Fraud History — no known history of hostage loads, fraud complaints, or FMCSA shutdown actions.

Verified carriers must also have operated for at least 2 years, submit their rates and tariffs for publication, complete an agent interview, and sign the USMPO Code of Ethics. Carriers are removed if they violate our community standards.

The Rating Process

The 8-point audit is a pass-or-fail gate. The rating is what comes after: an aggregate score calculated from an audit of 10 randomly selected jobs from the mover in the previous calendar year, measuring ongoing performance rather than eligibility. Apart from the minimum eligibility requirements of verification, we also evaluate complaint history, customer feedback, and third-party review sourcing in our rating process.

We have identified the 5 points below to be the most important characteristics when rating and evaluating a mover:

1. Pricing Accuracy

Providing accurate pricing is not only good business practice, it's a legal requirement. A recent USMPO survey revealed that the number one reason for moving discrepancies was due to pricing increases on moving day, compared to an estimated quote by a company sales representative. Our pricing accuracy audit evaluates and compares 10 random quotes of a moving company and compares it with the final bill at delivery.

Our rating does not factor in price increases due to a customer's underestimating of an itemized inventory or the addition of extra furniture outside the signed agreement.

2. Responsiveness & Customer Service

Timely communication helps alleviate customer concerns. Being responsive ensures that customers receive updates on their move, which can include schedules, changes, or any other relevant information. When customers have questions or issues, a prompt response shows that the company cares about their concerns. This can lead to higher satisfaction levels and positive USMPO rating.

3. Reliability & Delivery Performance

We evaluate whether the carrier consistently delivers shipments on time and within the agreed-upon delivery window. Delays, missed pickups, and delivery failures are documented and factored into the overall rating.

4. Complaint History

We cross-reference complaint data from FMCSA, BBB, and USMPO's own database to identify patterns of consumer dissatisfaction. Companies with a high volume of unresolved complaints receive lower ratings.

5. Safety & Compliance

We verify that carriers maintain current insurance, proper DOT registration, and compliance with all federal regulations. Carriers with safety violations or lapsed insurance are flagged and may be removed from the verified network.

What the Rating Does Not Tell You

A rating measures a verified carrier's recent performance. It is not a prediction, and there are things it cannot establish:

The full data sources, refresh cadence, funding disclosure, correction process, and limitations are documented in our verification methodology. You can also check any carrier's federal record yourself at FMCSA SAFER and FMCSA's public mover complaint lookup.

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