MOVING COMPANY INSURANCE — OHIO
Moving company insurance in Ohio.
You're responsible for everything
they own. Cover it.
Moving companies are responsible for their clients' most valuable and irreplaceable possessions. Cargo liability, commercial auto, and workers compensation are the foundation — but a complete moving company program covers every phase of the move. Myers Insurance Group has been insuring Ohio movers since 2008.
WHY MOVING COMPANY INSURANCE IS DIFFERENT
Every move is a liability exposure from start to finish.
Moving companies take legal possession of clients' belongings — furniture, electronics, artwork, jewelry, family heirlooms — and transport them across town or across the state. That creates cargo liability from the moment you touch the first box to the moment the last piece is placed in the new home.
Beyond cargo, moving companies face property damage liability at both the pickup and delivery locations, workers compensation exposure from physically demanding work, and commercial auto liability from operating large vehicles in residential neighborhoods and on highways.
Ohio moving companies that operate interstate also face FMCSA licensing and insurance requirements that add another layer of compliance to your coverage program. Myers Insurance Group builds moving company policies that cover every phase of your operation.
The coverage gaps that hurt Ohio movers
Released value vs. full value coverage. Federal law allows movers to offer released value protection at 60 cents per pound — essentially worthless for most items. Full value protection is what customers actually need, and what separates professional movers from the rest.
No inland marine / cargo coverage. Standard commercial auto policies cover the truck — not the contents inside it. Cargo coverage is a separate policy that covers client belongings in your care.
Property damage at pickup and delivery. Scratched hardwood floors, damaged doorframes, and broken fixtures at the client's home are property damage claims — covered by GL, not cargo. Both are essential.
Workers comp gaps. Moving is one of the most physically demanding jobs in any industry. Back injuries, strains, and crush injuries are common — Workers Comp is non-negotiable for any crew.
WHAT WE COVER
Moving company coverage in Ohio.
A complete Ohio moving company insurance program covers your trucks, your crew, your clients' belongings, and the properties you work in.
Cargo / Inland Marine
Covers client belongings in your care during packing, loading, transport, and delivery. This is your most critical coverage — you're legally responsible for everything you touch. Full value protection options available.
Commercial Auto
Covers your moving trucks and vans — liability, collision, and comprehensive. Required for all commercial moving vehicles. Personal auto insurance never applies to commercial moving operations.
General Liability
Covers property damage at pickup and delivery locations — scratched floors, damaged walls, broken fixtures. Also covers third-party injury claims during your moving operations.
Workers Compensation
Required in Ohio for employees. Moving is physically grueling — back injuries, strains, and crush injuries are among the most common workplace injuries in the industry. Non-negotiable for any crew.
Business Property
Covers your moving equipment — dollies, straps, blankets, pads, tools — against theft and damage. Equipment theft from trucks is a common loss for moving companies.
Crime & Employee Dishonesty
Moving crews have access to clients' homes and all their belongings. Employee dishonesty coverage protects against theft by your crew — and is increasingly required by commercial clients.
FMCSA / Interstate Coverage
Ohio moving companies operating interstate require FMCSA authority and minimum liability coverage. We handle the filing requirements and build policies that keep you compliant for both intrastate and interstate moves.
Storage Facility Coverage
If you offer storage as part of your moving services, client belongings in your storage facility need specific coverage. Standard cargo policies may not extend to items in storage — dedicated warehouse legal liability coverage fills this gap.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Moving company insurance in Ohio — what you need to know.
A client's TV was broken during a move — who pays?
This is a cargo claim — and it's exactly what cargo / inland marine coverage is designed for. Without cargo coverage, you're paying for the replacement out of pocket. With full value protection cargo coverage, your policy covers the repair or replacement of the damaged item up to its full value. This is the coverage that separates professional Ohio movers from operations that leave clients fighting for compensation after a loss.
We scratched the hardwood floors at the delivery address — is that covered?
Property damage at a client's home — scratched floors, damaged walls, broken fixtures — is a General Liability claim, not a cargo claim. Cargo covers client belongings in transit. GL covers damage to the properties you're working in. Both coverages are essential for any moving company — one without the other leaves you with significant gaps.
Do I need FMCSA authority and insurance to do interstate moves?
Yes. Ohio moving companies that transport household goods across state lines are regulated by the FMCSA and must hold a household goods motor carrier authority. Minimum liability coverage must be filed with the FMCSA before your authority is active. We work with Ohio moving companies to obtain their authority, file the required insurance, and build a complete program that keeps them compliant for both intrastate and interstate operations.
A mover on my crew injured his back on a job — am I covered?
Yes — if you have Workers Compensation. Moving is one of the most physically demanding industries in the country, and back injuries are the single most common claim. Workers Compensation covers your employee's medical expenses, lost wages during recovery, and rehabilitation costs. Without it, you're personally liable for the full cost of the injury — which can be significant for a serious back injury requiring surgery and extended recovery.