📦Moving Company DisputeThe truck won't unload until you pay more. That's usually illegal.
Florida

Holding your furniture hostage for a higher bill is against the law. Here's the law.

Movers know two things most customers don't: for an interstate move they can't demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate at delivery, and for a Florida move they must be registered with the state and honour the written estimate. When the price jumps at the curb, the rules — not the driver — decide. Paste the estimate and what happened. You get which rules apply, what's legal, the deadlines, and the letter.

49 CFR 375 · Fla. Stat. ch. 507English · EspañolClaim clock computedNothing is stored
Plan active

Free check

The estimate, the bill, and what happened.

Origin and destination, the estimate (binding or not, the amount, the weight/inventory), the final bill, what they're demanding, whether the goods were delivered, any damage, and the dates.

Free. Takes a few seconds.

Why this exists

Moving fraud has a playbook. So does the law — and it's on the customer's side.

Interstate movers are bound by federal rules on estimates, delivery charges and claims. Florida movers must register with DBPR and honour written estimates. Knowing which applies — and the 110% number — usually ends the standoff at the curb.

How it works

Which law. What's owed. Get the goods. Then the claim.

01

Describe the move

Route, estimate type and amount, the bill, what they demanded, where the goods are, any damage, the dates.

02

See the rules that apply

Interstate (FMCSA) vs Florida (DBPR): the maximum collectible at delivery, the estimate rules, the hostage-goods prohibition, the valuation/liability rules, and the 9-month claim clock computed.

03

Act now and in writing

Who to call today (FMCSA hostage-goods line, DBPR, police), the tender of the lawful amount, the demand letter, and the damage claim with photos and the inventory.

Plans

The check is free. The dispute packet is $9 — against the $2,300 they want at the curb.

For one household. Realtors and relocation desks license it.

Dispute packet
$9one time

The demand / tender letter, the FMCSA or DBPR complaint steps with the numbers, the written loss-and-damage claim form with the valuation rules, an evidence checklist (estimate, order for service, bill of lading, weight tickets, inventory, photos), and a deadline calendar.

  • Tender + demand letter (110% / written estimate)
  • FMCSA / DBPR complaint steps
  • Loss & damage claim with valuation math
  • Evidence checklist + calendar, EN or ES
Realtor / relocation-desk licence
$99per month

Branded move-dispute checker for your clients.

  • Your logo and contact
  • Unlimited checks
  • Cancel any time

All prices in USD, handled by Stripe. The free check never goes behind a paywall.

Common questions

How much can the moving company legally ask for at delivery?

For an interstate move, the driver cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate, or the exact binding amount if you signed a binding estimate. For a Florida-only move, the mover must honor the written estimate under Florida Statutes chapter 507. Paste your estimate and what happened, and Moving Company Dispute will tell you which rule applies to your case.

Is it illegal for the driver to hold my boxes until I pay more?

Moving Company Dispute can tell you whether the amount being demanded is more than what federal or Florida rules allow, based on the estimate and details you paste. If your goods are being held right now, call the FMCSA hostage-goods line or DBPR today — they can intervene. This tool cannot contact anyone on your behalf, and it is not legal advice.

How long do I have to file a damage claim?

The tool computes the 9-month claim clock from the delivery date you provide and explains the valuation rules that apply to your shipment. For interstate movers, the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. 14706) governs damage claims. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm your exact deadline with the mover or a professional.

Do federal or Florida rules apply to my move?

It depends on whether your move crossed state lines (interstate) or stayed entirely within Florida (intrastate). Paste your estimate and what happened, and Moving Company Dispute applies FMCSA household-goods rules (49 CFR Parts 370 and 375) or Florida Statutes chapter 507, whichever fits your situation.

Is it really free? Is what I paste stored?

Yes, Moving Company Dispute is free to use. It is an informational tool based on federal and Florida moving rules, not affiliated with any mover, broker, or agency, and it does not file complaints or claims for you. The material doesn't specify how long anything you paste is kept, so if you're unsure, avoid pasting information you wouldn't want retained.

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