A certificate of insurance, or COI for moving, is a formal document that proves a moving company has insurance coverage. In short, it’s a written promise that the movers — not you or your building — are responsible if something gets damaged during the move.
Your moving company is responsible for obtaining a COI, but you can request a copy from the movers directly. A mover's COI gives customers and property managers peace of mind from the start. In fact, many landlords, especially in cities like New York, won’t let movers in the building without one, as your packed possessions may damage common areas like the elevator or lobby.
Sindi Webster is the Senior Sales Manager for Moving at Porch Moving Group, where she leads the team that helps customers find the right help for their move. Her focus is the quote-to-booking stretch — making sure customers get accurate pricing up front and get matched with the providers best suited to the job.
Sindi has spent seven years in the moving industry and has supported more than 200,000 moves, with deep experience coordinating local labor — loading, unloading, and transportation services nationwide. She brings that perspective to HireAHelper content, helping make sure what readers find here reflects how quoting and booking actually work.
A moving COI is not just a formality — it's a necessity. While we hope your move goes smoothly from start to finish, unexpected issues can arise, even during the most well-planned move. That's why selecting a moving company backed by a COI is so important.
A certificate of insurance protects all parties involved in the moving process, including:
Guess who's liable for that broken stairwell door or injured mover if you hire a company without insurance? You. This means you can get sued for the moving company's negligence.
So, choosing a company covered by a mover's COI is often a requirement rather than a choice. Some property managers and landlords won't let you enter the community without insured movers, and understandably so. They don't want to get stuck paying for injuries or property damage if the movers don't claim liability.
If you’re planning a move to a new area, you should know that these cities commonly require a COI for movers:
When in doubt, always check with your property manager or landlord about COI requirements. Otherwise, you may end up liable for property damage or personal injury costs.
Failing to hire an insured moving company can delay your move and land you in a legal mess. If your building requires a COI and your movers don't have one, you'll be forced to reschedule your move.
"You may be able to get a COI in a few hours, but it typically takes several business days. Expect longer delays during weekends and holidays."
If a COI isn't required and an accident happens, you must pay for damages or injuries that occur during the move, whether your movers scratch the elevator or bump into a neighbor with your piano.
Here are just a few of the liability risks that can fall on you without a COI:
A COI is not an insurance plan, but it's proof that moving insurance exists. Let's run through some common types of coverage found in moving COIs, plus what you may find in a COI document.
Cargo insurance protects your belongings if damage occurs during the move. However, this coverage is not found in every COI. You may have to request cargo insurance under a separate plan for declared value coverage or full-value protection.
Workers' compensation coverage protects you from financial liability for injuries caused during the workday. For example, it applies if a mover drops a washing machine on their foot or strains their back lifting your entertainment center.
Auto liability coverage protects you if the movers accidentally hit a curb or get swiped by another vehicle. Make sure the moving COI terms include auto liability coverage if you live in an area known for crowded parking lots or compact spaces.
General liability coverage helps protect you, your movers, and the property where you are moving. It offers coverage for property damage and bodily injuries, including scuffs on walls or scratches on the arms of a new neighbor who trips over your moving boxes.
Umbrella coverage is optional but comes in handy if the regular policy limits get maxed out. This backup coverage is a safety net favored by luxury communities and commercial properties where the risk of costly damage is high.
COI documents vary based on the coverage held by the moving company. Here are some items you may find on a certificate of insurance for moving:
Your moving company may have additional information on their COI. Make sure to ask the right questions before your move so you have everything prepared.
Now that you know what it covers and why a COI is usually required, you’re probably wondering how to get one. Here are the 4 steps you can take:
It’s not that complex of a process, but it’s important to get it done and to get it done early. If there are any delays at any point in the process, you’ll want some cushion of time so you’re not scrambling on moving day to get the appropriate documents or are stuck without a necessary COI.
Pro Tip: You should always ask for a copy of the COI for your records, and double-check that it matches your move date and location. Avoid movers who charge a fee just to provide a COI.
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