Check before you pay a deposit
Know who is
actually moving you.
Before you hand over a deposit, check the exact company, whether it can legally move household goods, and what its federal safety record shows.
Federal registration and safety records, updated Aug 2026.
EXPLORE MOVERS NEAR YOU
Start with the country. Zoom into your state.
Compare the complete household-goods company census by state, then open a state to search every local record. Current authority is shown separately on each company profile.
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TOP STATESMover records
MoverSignal analysis of FMCSA household-goods census records imported August 2026. A record is not proof of current authority; verify the company profile before paying.
THE DATA BEHIND THE CHECK
A big database, boiled down to what matters.
You should not need to decode a federal record to avoid a bad deposit. We explain registration, authority, insurance filings and safety activity in plain English.
Select any row to browse and search the records included in that number. Some companies have no recent inspections, so they may have little or no safety data.
Who moves your belongings?
the role matters86%carriers
Carriers move belongings1,032
Brokers arrange moves172
What to verify before paying
official evidenceMOVERSIGNAL GUIDES
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Read the guide →THE PRE-DEPOSIT CHECKLIST
Three layers. One clear next step.
Do not look for one magic score. Match the company, verify its permission, then judge safety evidence in context.
Is this the exact company on your estimate?
- Legal name matches
- USDOT and MC numbers match
- Carrier or broker role is clear
If yes
Continue to authority and insurance.
If no
Do not pay. Ask for corrected paperwork identifying the legal company.
Can it legally perform or arrange this move?
- Active household-goods authority matched
- Expected liability, cargo, or bond filings found
- No current stop order found
If confirmed
Review the safety and operating record.
If missing or unclear
Open the live FMCSA record and get written clarification before paying.
Does the operating record raise questions?
- Enough inspections to interpret rates
- Crash severity viewed alongside fleet size
- Safety dates and MCS-150 filing are current
If the evidence is current
Compare the contract, deposit terms, and mover identity one final time.
If data is old or sparse
Do not assume “zero” means safe. Verify directly and ask more questions.
Before any depositSave the estimate, inventory, authority check, insurance check, and payment receipt.Check a moving company →
MOVER REPORT
United Van Lines
United Van Lines LLC · Federal ID (USDOT) 77949 · Operating license (MC) 67234
What the current records suggestBasic checks passedThis is information, not a government endorsement
Who this company is
Federal record- Active household-goods authority matched
- ● Yes
- Federal role matched
- Carrier
- What that means
- May transport belongings
- Insurance filing indicators
- ● On file as of this import
- First added to federal data
- 52 years ago
- Trucks and other powered vehicles
- 4,731
- Other names it uses
- United Van Lines, Uvl
- Record last updated
- Aug 23, 2026
What the safety record means
Federal data · Aug 13, 2026Vehicles stopped for a serious safety problem24.28%
United Van LinesComparison rate
Drivers stopped for a serious safety problem: 3.48%2,129Federal inspections
69Crashes reported to the government
Government safety rating: Satisfactory. “Not rated” is not a passing grade, and zero inspections is not evidence of safe performance.
The permission and insurance checks shown here were current when this record was collected.
- Make sure the legal name and federal ID match your written estimate.
- Ask for the name of the company that will physically move your belongings.
- Use a credit card for the deposit when possible, and save every document.
Before you pay a moving deposit
How do I check if a moving company is legitimate?
First, match the exact legal name and federal ID number on your estimate. Then confirm the company is currently allowed to move household goods, has the required insurance records, and is not under an order to stop operating.
What is the difference between a carrier and a broker?
A carrier owns or operates the trucks that move your belongings. A broker finds another company to do the move. If you hire a broker, ask which carrier will handle your shipment and check that company too.
What does “out of service” mean?
During an inspection, a vehicle or driver can be stopped from continuing because inspectors found a serious safety problem. The percentage shows how often that happened across the company’s inspections.
Can a mover charge more than its estimate?
Sometimes. It depends on whether the estimate is binding, whether the shipment changed, and whether you approved extra services. Keep the written estimate, inventory, change orders and final bill so every added charge can be explained.