Is Full Value Protection Worth It?

Full Value Protection is worth buying for most household moves, because the free alternative pays 60 cents per pound regardless of what an item is worth. On a 25-pound television, that is $15. Full Value Protection covers repair, replacement, or a cash settlement at current value. It costs money and usually has deductible options, and it is not insurance, it is the carrier’s level of liability under federal law.

This is the cheapest decision in a move that people most often get wrong, because the expensive option is a line item and the terrible option is free.

The two options, side by side

	Released Value Protection	Full Value Protection
Cost	Free	Priced by the carrier
What it pays	60 cents per pound per article	Repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value
Applies	By default, unless you choose otherwise in writing	Only if you select it
Deductible	None	Often offered, lowers the cost

Every interstate mover must offer both, and your estimate must notify you of the choice.

Run the arithmetic on your own belongings

The test is simple. Is the item worth more than 60 cents per pound?

Item	Rough weight	Released Value payout
Flat-screen television	25 lb	$15
Laptop	4 lb	$2.40
Box of photographs	3 lb	$1.80
Dining table	120 lb	$72
Sofa	200 lb	$120
Bag of books	40 lb	$24

Notice the pattern. Released Value pays reasonably for heavy, cheap things and almost nothing for light, valuable ones. Which is the opposite of how most households are composed.

The $15 television figure is FMCSA’s own example, not a worst case someone invented.

Valuation is not insurance

This distinction matters, and movers blur it constantly.

Valuation is the level of liability the carrier accepts under federal transportation law. It is part of your contract of carriage.

Insurance is a separate product, regulated by state insurance commissioners and sold by licensed insurers.

When a salesperson says “you’re fully covered” or “we’re fully insured,” ask the only question that matters: what valuation level will appear on my bill of lading, and what does it pay per pound?

Anything else is reassurance, not an answer.

When Full Value Protection is worth it

Buy it when:

Your shipment contains normal household electronics, furniture and personal items, which is to say almost always
You are shipping anything you could not comfortably replace out of pocket
The move is long distance, with more handling, transfers and storage
Your goods will go into storage-in-transit

It is a closer call when:

You are shipping mostly heavy, low-value items
Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy already covers goods in transit, which is worth checking before you buy anything
The premium is a large fraction of the total move cost

Items of extraordinary value

This catches people even when they bought Full Value Protection.

Movers may limit liability on items worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, art, collectibles and antiques, unless you specifically list them on the shipping documents.

So the protection you paid for may not extend to the few things you most wanted protected, unless you declared them in writing.

Two practical rules:

Declare high-value items in writing on the shipping documents, and keep a copy
Better still, do not ship them. Jewelry, cash, documents and small electronics travel with you

Third-party moving insurance

A genuine option, and separate from valuation. Before buying it, check whether your existing homeowner’s or renter’s policy already covers household goods in transit. Many do, at least partially.

One caution: disputes with third-party insurers fall outside FMCSA’s jurisdiction. The federal rules in your bill of lading do not govern that relationship, and the insurer’s own deadlines may be shorter than the 9-month claim window.

What to do before moving day

Select your valuation level in writing, and ask for the written details of the Full Value plan including deductible options
Check the bill of lading records the level you chose. This is the document that decides any claim
Declare items of extraordinary value on the shipping documents
Photograph your belongings before packing, with timestamps. Valuation decides the ceiling, evidence decides whether you reach it
Check your existing home policy before buying third-party cover

Frequently asked questions

Is Full Value Protection worth it?

For most households, yes. The free alternative pays 60 cents per pound per article regardless of value, which is about $15 for a 25-pound television. Full Value Protection covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current value.

What does 60 cents per pound actually pay?

It multiplies the item’s weight by 60 cents. A 4-pound laptop pays $2.40. A 3-pound box of photographs pays $1.80. The item’s actual value is irrelevant.

Is valuation the same as insurance?

No. Valuation is the carrier’s level of liability under federal law. Insurance is a separate product regulated by state insurance commissioners. Movers often describe valuation as being insured.

Does Full Value Protection cover jewelry and art?

Not automatically. Movers may limit liability on items worth more than $100 per pound unless you specifically list them on the shipping documents. Declaring them in writing is essential, and carrying them yourself is better.

Should I buy separate moving insurance?

Check your homeowner’s or renter’s policy first, since many cover goods in transit. If you do buy third-party insurance, note that disputes with the insurer fall outside FMCSA’s jurisdiction.

What happens if I do not choose a valuation level?

Released Value Protection applies automatically at 60 cents per pound per article. Full Value Protection only applies if you select it in writing.

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