How to Write a Demand Letter to a Moving Company

Use the free tool — Moving Company Dispute

What Is a Demand Letter, and When Do You Need One?

A demand letter is a written statement telling the moving company what happened, what the rules say, and what you want them to do. You may need one if the driver demanded more money than the estimate before unloading, if your goods were damaged and the claim offer seems too low, or if the company is holding your belongings. Putting your demand in writing creates a record and often gets a faster response than a phone call.

Know the Rules Before You Write

The rules that apply depend on whether your move crossed state lines (interstate) or stayed entirely inside Florida (intrastate).

Interstate moves: Governed by FMCSA rules (49 CFR Parts 370 and 375) and the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. 14706). At delivery, the driver cannot demand more than 110% of a non-binding estimate. If you signed a binding estimate, the mover can only collect the exact binding amount.
Florida-only moves: Movers must be registered with the state and must honor the written estimate under Florida Statutes chapter 507.

Holding your goods hostage for more money than these rules allow is a red flag. Confirm with the FMCSA or DBPR, since this is general information, not legal advice.

What to Include in the Letter

The date of the move and the route.
Whether the estimate was binding or non-binding, and the estimate amount.
What the driver or company actually billed or demanded.
The condition of your goods on delivery, and any damage.
Any claim offer already made (for example, a per-pound offer).
The specific rule you believe was violated (the 110% rule, chapter 507, or the valuation rules).
The 9-month deadline for filing a damage claim, and the date you are within that window.
What you want: a refund of the overcharge, a fair claim payment, or release of your goods.
A deadline for their response.

Two Common Situations

The estimate was $2,800, but the driver wants $5,400 before he'll unload. If this was a non-binding estimate on an interstate move, the maximum the driver can legally demand at delivery is 110% of $2,800. A demand of $5,400 is far above that. Your letter should state the estimate amount, the amount demanded, and cite the 110% rule.

Boxes arrived crushed and the claim offer is $0.60 a pound. Your letter should describe the damage, reference the valuation rules that apply to your shipment, and state why the offer does not reflect a fair settlement under those rules.

Who to Contact Today

If your goods are being held right now, call the FMCSA hostage-goods line or the DBPR today — they can intervene.
Call the police if you believe your goods are being held illegally.
In Florida, small claims court covers amounts up to $8,000.
For interstate movers, damage claims are governed by federal law (the Carmack Amendment).

What to Do Next

A free tool can read your estimate and the details of what happened, tell you whether federal or Florida rules apply, compute your 9-month claim deadline, and draft the demand letter for you. This is not legal or tax advice. Always confirm your situation with the mover, the FMCSA, the DBPR, or a qualified professional before taking action.

Use the free tool

Moving Company Dispute is an informational tool based on 49 CFR Parts 370 and 375 (FMCSA household-goods rules), the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. 14706), and Florida Statutes chapter 507 as of 2025–26. It is not legal advice and does not file complaints or claims. The bill of lading, the estimate and the mover's tariff control; interstate claims are governed by federal law. It is not affiliated with any mover, broker or agency.