How to Verify a Moving Company in Alabama

If you are about to hand over your furniture, family photos, and everything that makes your house feel like home, you deserve more than a friendly voice on the phone.

That is exactly why learning how to verify a moving company in Alabama is important before you sign anything. A move is already stressful, and scammers know that stressed people make fast decisions. They rush you, flatter you, pressure you to skip the boring checks that would have protected you.

If your mover is operating within Alabama, it requires oversight through the Alabama Public Service Commission for carriers transporting household goods for compensation, which is a big part of moving company regulations in Alabama.

If your move crosses state lines, federal rules apply, and FMCSA points consumers to tools like "Protect Your Move" to check registered movers and reduce fraud risk.

In simple words, you now have official ways to confirm you are hiring legitimate movers in Alabama.

Let’s discuss everything on how you can verify a moving company in Alabama step by step, what to check, where to check it, and the small red flags that show up right before the big problems.

Moving Company Regulations in Alabama

Before you start checking licenses and credentials, it’s helpful to understand who actually watches over moving companies in Alabama and what rules they must follow.

Who Regulates Moving Companies in Alabama

When you hear “licensed moving companies in Alabama,” it means there are specific government bodies that make sure movers are legally allowed to operate. In Alabama, the primary authority is the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). This state agency oversees movers that operate inside the state, especially those that transport household goods for compensation.

Here are the key responsibilities of the APSC:

• They issue a Motor Carrier Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (Form 14H), which all licensed movers in Alabama must have before doing business.
• Movers must file proof of liability and cargo insurance with the commission.
• They require annual and quarterly reports from movers to ensure they are still operating the way they are supposed to.

When Alabama State Laws Apply vs Federal Regulations

Now, let's clear up a very important point that most people miss. Some moves fall under state laws, while others fall under federal rules.

The difference depends on whether your move crosses state lines.

Here’s how it works:

• Intrastate Moves (within Alabama): For moves that start and end in Alabama, state regulations apply. This means the mover must comply with the rules set by the APSC.
• Interstate Moves (crossing state borders): If your belongings are being moved out of Alabama to another state, federal law comes into play. In that case, the mover must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a valid USDOT number.

To put it simply: if you’re moving from Birmingham to Huntsville, state oversight applies. If you’re moving from Alabama to Florida or Georgia, federal oversight applies too.

Types of Movers Operating in Alabama

When you’re evaluating moving companies, it helps to understand what categories they can fall into.

Here are the main types:

Intrastate Movers:

• These operate solely within the state lines of Alabama.
• They must be approved and licensed by the Alabama Public Service Commission.
• They must have insurance filed with the APSC and comply with state insurance, safety, and reporting requirements.

Interstate Movers:

• These operate across state lines (for example, from Alabama to another state).
• They require registration with the FMCSA at the federal level.
• They must display their USDOT number and have federal authority for household goods transport.

Brokered Movers:

• These are companies that arrange the move but do not physically carry your belongings.
• They still require registration and bonding, depending on both state and federal rules.

It is important to understand these types because then you know exactly what documents and identifiers to ask for when you contact a moving company.

Alabama Licensing Requirements for Moving Companies

When you hire a mover, you are not just paying for a truck and labor. You are trusting a company with your personal belongings and your time. That is why Alabama has clear licensing rules.

These rules exist to make sure only licensed moving companies in Alabama operate legally and that customers stay protected.

Approval from the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC)

The most important requirement comes from the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Any company transporting household goods for payment from one location in Alabama to another must obtain official authority from the APSC.

This approval usually includes:

• A Motor Carrier Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (often filed through Form 14H).
• Official authorization to transport household goods for compensation within Alabama.
• A registered APSC number that confirms moving company registration in Alabama.

Insurance Requirements (Liability and Cargo Protection)

Licensing is not just paperwork. Moving companies must also prove they can financially protect your belongings if something goes wrong.

The APSC requires regulated movers to maintain and file proof of insurance, including:

• Commercial liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
• Cargo insurance to protect customer belongings during transport.
• Insurance filings are submitted directly to the commission to confirm compliance.

Minimum requirements typically include:

• Liability coverage for injuries and property damage.
• At least $5,000 cargo insurance for transported goods.

Broker Licensing and Surety Bond Requirements

Some companies do not actually move your belongings. Instead, they arrange the move and assign another carrier. These are called moving brokers.

In Alabama:

• Anyone arranging transportation of property for payment must hold a broker license.
• Brokers must file a surety bond with the state.

Reporting and Compliance Requirements

Getting a license is not a one-time event. Movers must stay compliant to keep operating.

Licensed movers must:

• File annual reports with the Alabama Public Service Commission.
• Submit financial and operational information to confirm they are still active.
• Report rates and services offered to customers.

Federal Registration for Interstate Movers

If a moving company transports goods across state lines, additional federal requirements apply.

They must:

• Register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• Obtain a USDOT number.
• Meet federal safety and insurance standards.

How to Verify a Moving Company in Alabama

If you follow the steps below, you will be able to verify a moving company in Alabama with real records.

Step 1: Confirm Your Move Type in Alabama

This step matters because it tells you which rules and databases should show your mover.

When Alabama State Rules Apply

If your pickup and delivery are both inside Alabama, you are dealing with an intrastate move. That is where moving company regulations in Alabama and the Alabama Public Service Commission come in. The mover should show up in Alabama’s state records and have the right authority through the APSC Motor Carrier Services Section.

When Federal Regulations Apply

If your move crosses state lines, your mover must be federally registered. Interstate household goods movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a U.S. DOT number.

A simple way to keep it straight:

• Alabama only: check APSC first.
• Crossing state lines: check FMCSA first, and still confirm the company details line up everywhere.

Step 2: Check Alabama Public Service Commission Registration

The APSC explains that a certificate or permit is required when household goods are transported for compensation.

How to Search APSC Records

Here is the process:

1. Go to the APSC Motor Carrier area and look for intrastate registration and motor carrier resources.
2. Search by the company name you were given, and also search any “alternate” names you see on their website, trucks, or estimate paperwork.
3. If the mover says, "We're licensed," ask them for their APSC registration or certificate details and match them to what you find.

Useful APSC pages to start from:

• Intrastate registration info
• Motor Carrier Services Section overview (what they supervise and regulate)

What Information Should Match in State Records

When you check moving company credentials, the details should match across documents and records. Look for consistency in:

• Company legal name
• Business address (not a mailbox-only setup)
• Phone number
• The type of authority they hold for household goods
• Any insurance proof on file (more on that in Step 6)

Step 3: Verify Federal Registration for Interstate Movers

If the move is interstate, do not skip this. Many scammers rely on customers never checking the federal authority.

FMCSA Registration Check

Use the FMCSA “Search for a Registered Mover” tool. It is built specifically so consumers can confirm a mover is registered and see business type and complaint info.

You can review things like:

• Registration status
• Headquarters location and contact info
• Whether they are listed as a carrier, broker, or freight forwarder
• Complaint information

USDOT Number Verification

If a mover claims they are interstate, they should provide a USDOT number. Then you verify it in 2 places:

• FMCSA mover search tool
• SAFER Company Snapshot (search by USDOT number or name)

What you want to see:

• USDOT status listed as active/authorized for the right kind of operation
• Company name and address match what the mover gave you

Step 4: Confirm Business Registration in Alabama

Licensing and business registration are not the same thing. A company can have a business entity filing and still not be licensed to move household goods.

Business Name Registration in Alabama

Use the Alabama Secretary of State Business Entity Records system. It is the state’s official public lookup for business entity information.

What to do:

1. Search the business name exactly as shown on the estimate and website.
2. Open the listing and review the entity details.
3. Note the legal entity name, status, and address.

Confirm Legal Name vs DBA Records

Here is a common trick behind many moving scam stories: the company advertises under a brand name that is not the legal entity signing your contract.

So do this:

• Ask, “What is the exact legal business name that will appear on my contract and invoice?”
• Compare it to the Secretary of State listing.
• Compare it to APSC or FMCSA records (depending on move type).

Step 5: Verify Physical Presence and Local Operations

This step is about reality, not paperwork.

You are looking for signs that the company truly operates where it claims:

• A real street address that matches official records
• Vehicles branded with the same company name
• A working local phone line that is answered consistently
• Clear identification of who is actually showing up on moving day

Step 6: Check Insurance and Liability Requirements in Alabama

Alabama’s APSC Motor Carrier Services Section states that regulated carriers must maintain proof of cargo insurance, and brokers are required to file a surety bond.

Here is what to ask for:

• Proof of liability insurance
• Proof of cargo insurance (what covers your belongings)
• If they are a broker, proof of the required bond

Then match the insurer name and coverage dates to what is on file with the regulator (APSC for intrastate, FMCSA records for interstate).

Step 7: Review Consumer Complaints and Enforcement Actions

This step is where you learn how the mover behaves after they get paid.

Alabama Consumer Protection Complaints

For issues involving Alabama businesses, you can file and review complaint paths through the Alabama Attorney General’s Office Consumer Complaint process.

Also, the APSC has its own “File a Complaint” process for regulated services.

If you find a pattern of the same complaint repeated (price jumps, property held “hostage,” no-show crews), that is a red flag.

Federal Complaint Records

For interstate movers and brokers, FMCSA points consumers to the National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB). You can file electronically or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).

Step 8: Verify Estimates and Required Documents

Before you agree to anything:

• Get a written estimate, not a text message quote
• Make sure the estimate clearly states what is included (labor, truck, mileage, packing, stairs, long carries, etc.)
• Confirm the company name on the estimate matches the legal and licensing records you checked

For interstate moves, FMCSA’s consumer resources emphasize making sure the mover is authorized and insured and using the mover search tool as part of selecting a mover.

Step 9: Confirm Final Operational Details Before Hiring

This is the final “reality check” before you put money down.

Ask direct questions and listen for clear answers:

• Who exactly shows up on moving day?
• What is the timeline for pickup and delivery?
• How do claims work if something is damaged?
• What payment methods do you accept, and when is payment due?

Who Will Handle the Move (Carrier vs Broker)

FMCSA explains that a moving company (carrier) handles the move with its own trucks and staff, while a broker arranges the move and hires a carrier to do the physical move.

So ask:

• “Are you the carrier, or are you a broker?”
• “If you are a broker, which carrier will you assign, and what is their USDOT number?”
• “Will that carrier also appear as registered and authorized in FMCSA records?”

Consumer Rights When Hiring Movers in Alabama

Many people only start asking about their rights after something goes wrong. It’s important to know them before you sign anything. That is how you protect yourself while trying to verify a moving company in Alabama.

Right to Hire Licensed and Regulated Movers

In Alabama, movers transporting household goods for compensation within the state must be regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). That means you have the right to expect that you are dealing with properly authorized and insured operators under state law.

You have the right to:

• Work with properly authorized licensed movers in Alabama
• Ask for proof of operating authority
• Ask for proof of insurance
• Refuse service if they cannot show valid credentials

Right to Written Estimates

You are entitled to a written estimate before your move takes place.

For interstate moves, federal regulations require movers to provide a written estimate and specific consumer disclosures through FMCSA’s consumer protection rules.

For intrastate Alabama moves, while procedures can vary, you still have the right to:

• Request a detailed written estimate
• See clearly listed charges such as labor, mileage, packing, stairs, fuel, or storage
• Ask whether the estimate is binding or non-binding

Right to Clear Contracts and Documentation

Before moving day, you should receive proper documentation. This may include:

• A bill of lading or service agreement
• Written terms and conditions
• Insurance coverage details
• Company contact information

You have the right to read and understand everything before signing. You also have the right to ask questions and request clarification.

Right to Insurance and Liability Protection

Under Alabama regulations, movers are required to maintain liability and cargo insurance on file with regulators when operating legally. This protects you if your belongings are damaged or lost.

You have the right to:

• Ask what type of valuation coverage is included
• Understand the difference between basic liability coverage and additional protection options
• Request written confirmation of coverage limits

Right to Fair Pricing and No Surprise Charges

You have the right to:

• Transparent pricing
• Advance disclosure of additional fees
• An explanation of any extra charges before they are applied

Right to File a Complaint in Alabama

If something goes wrong, you are not powerless.

For intrastate movers regulated by the APSC, you can file a complaint with the Alabama Public Service Commission through their official complaint process.

You may also submit a complaint to:

• The Alabama Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Section
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (for interstate moves)
• For interstate issues, you can file a complaint through FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database or call 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).

Right to Know Whether You Are Hiring a Carrier or a Broker

This is extremely important.

You have the right to know:

• Whether the company you are speaking with is the actual carrier
• Or whether they are a broker arranging your move

If they are a broker, you have the right to know which carrier will actually handle your belongings. You should be able to verify that carrier separately.

Right to Refuse Service Before Loading

If the truck arrives and:

• The company name does not match your paperwork
• The movers cannot show identification
• The contract looks different than what you agreed to
• The price suddenly increases without explanation

You have the right to stop the move before loading begins.

Right to Protect Yourself From Scams

You have the right to:

• Take your time before signing
• Verify state and federal records
• Ask for documentation
• Compare multiple companies
• Say no without explanation

Where to Report a Fraudulent Moving Company in Alabama

Even after all precautions, sometimes things still go wrong. Maybe the price suddenly changed, your belongings were held hostage, the company disappeared after taking a deposit, or their license turned out to be fake. If that happens, you are not stuck.

Alabama and federal authorities give you clear channels to report fraud, file complaints, and take action against dishonest movers.

Alabama Public Service Commission

If your move was inside Alabama (intrastate move), your first stop should be the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). This agency regulates household goods carriers operating within the state under moving company regulations in Alabama.

You should report here if the mover:

• Operated without proper state authority
• Violated service agreements
• Charged unfair or unauthorized rates
• Failed to deliver services promised
• Misrepresented being among licensed moving companies in Alabama

How to File a Complaint with APSC

You can submit complaints directly through the APSC complaint process for regulated services.

Prepare these details before filing:

• Company name and contact information
• Contract or estimate copy
• Payment receipts
• Photos or written proof of damage or misconduct
• Timeline of what happened

Alabama Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

If the situation involves fraud, deception, or unfair business practices, you should also report the company to the Alabama Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

This office handles cases involving:

• Fraudulent advertising
• False claims about licensing or insurance
• Deposit theft or financial fraud
• Contract deception
• Consumer scams involving legitimate movers in Alabama claims

The Attorney General’s office acts as the authority that protects consumers from dishonest business practices across the state.

If you want to help others avoid the same situation, you can also submit your scam story officially.

Federal Reporting Options

If your move crossed state lines or involved an interstate carrier or broker, federal authorities must also be notified. Interstate moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

You should report to federal authorities if:

• Your move was interstate
• The company provided a fake USDOT number
• Your belongings were held hostage for extra payment
• The mover violated federal consumer protection rules
• You discovered false moving company license claims for interstate authority

Federal Complaint Channels

You can report through:

1. FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB)

This is the main federal system for household goods moving complaints. You can submit complaints online or call:

1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238)

Provide details such as:

• USDOT number (if available)
• Company name and address
• Contract documents
• Description of the issue

2. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

For deceptive business practices or fraud schemes involving moving services.