Full Value Protection: What It Actually Costs and Covers

Last Updated: September 2026

TL;DR: Full Value Protection (FVP) is paid cover on an interstate move. It settles a damaged or lost item at repair, replacement, or current cash value. FVP runs about 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the load with a deductible set on the estimate. Add FVP for electronics, art, antiques, and any load worth more than $10,000.

A Full Value Protection (FVP) plan is paid cover on an interstate move that settles a damaged or lost item at repair, replacement, or current cash value per the coverage terms. It is one of two liability levels every carrier must offer under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. The other level, Released Value Protection (RVP), is the federal minimum and is included as standard at $0.60 per pound per article. FVP is a higher-tier coverage tier the customer pays for. The rate runs about 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the load with a deductible named on the written estimate.

Safebound Moving and Storage is a licensed Florida carrier that runs residential and commercial moves across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839. The company has delivered 35,000+ moves since 2016 and holds 4.9 stars across 2,401 reviews. Safebound writes the FVP tier and the declared value on the estimate before the truck loads, so the coverage amount, the deductible, and the excluded categories are all named in advance. The West Palm Beach headquarters includes a 100,000 sq ft climate-controlled storage facility for hold-and-deliver requests. Get a free quote to price FVP on a load.

The five takeaways below frame each cost, coverage, and claim check on Full Value Protection.

Key Takeaways

1. Coverage basis: FVP settles a damaged or lost item at repair, replacement, or current cash value per the coverage terms.

2. Rate range: FVP runs about 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the load, with a deductible named on the estimate.

3. Federal minimum: Released Value Protection (RVP) at $0.60 per pound per article is included as standard as the federal minimum liability coverage.

4. Best fit: Add FVP for electronics, art, antiques, and any household load worth more than $10,000.

5. Claim window: The federal filing window is 9 months from the delivery date. Photograph high-value items before load day.

The five sections below map each cost, coverage, and claim step to the right stage of a Full Value Protection decision.

What is full value protection?

Full Value Protection (FVP) is paid cover on an interstate move. It is the higher-tier coverage tier that carriers must offer under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. Under FVP, the carrier is liable for the replacement value of the household load. If an item is damaged or lost in transit, the carrier settles the claim by repair, by replacement with a like item, or by paying the current cash value per the coverage terms. The customer names a declared value for the load on the written estimate. That number sets the maximum liability under the plan.

FVP is the coverage most industry guides advise for a household with electronics, art, or antiques. What does moving insurance actually cover walks through the coverage terms and the exclusions in plain language.

How much does FVP cost?

FVP runs about 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the load. A $50,000 declared value at 1.5 percent runs $750. A $100,000 declared value at 1.5 percent runs $1,500. Most carriers set a minimum declared value equal to the weight of the load times a per-pound rate, so a 5,000 pound load carries a minimum declared value near $30,000. The deductible is set on the estimate. A $0 deductible carries the highest rate. A $500 or $1,000 deductible lowers the rate. Ask for the rate, the deductible, and the excluded categories in writing on the estimate.

The table below compares the two federal liability tiers on the core items.

Item	Released Value Protection (RVP)	Full Value Protection (FVP)
Federal status	Minimum required, included as standard	Higher-tier paid cover, customer opts in
Settlement basis	$0.60 per pound per article	Repair, replacement, or current cash value
Customer cost	$0, included	About 1-2% of declared value
Deductible	None; capped at per-pound rate	$0, $250, $500, or $1,000 options
Best fit	Low-value loads or short local moves	Electronics, art, antiques, loads over $10,000

Seasonal rates may vary.

Third-party moving insurance is a separate product with its own claim process. Released Value Protection explained covers why the federal minimum falls short on a modern household load.

Is full value protection worth it?

Full Value Protection is worth the paid cover for most interstate moves with a total load value over $10,000. RVP at $0.60 per pound per article settles a 50-pound flat-screen television at $30, regardless of the sticker price. FVP settles the same television at repair, replacement, or current cash value per the coverage terms. The math turns on the declared value and the deductible. A $75,000 declared value at 1.5 percent with a $500 deductible runs about $1,125. That is a fraction of the cost to replace even one high-value item damaged in transit.

FVP is less valuable on a low-value load, a short local hourly move under 50 miles, or a load with no electronics, art, or antiques. Compare the FVP rate to the walk-through inventory value before deciding. Photograph high-value items before load day. Photos support any claim if damage occurs in transit.

How does FVP differ from released value protection?

FVP and RVP are the two liability tiers named in federal rules. RVP is the minimum and is included at no cost. It settles a damaged or lost item at $0.60 per pound per article. That means the settlement is based on the weight of the item, not the sticker price. FVP is a paid cover the customer opts into on the estimate. It settles a damaged or lost item at repair, replacement, or current cash value per the coverage terms. The customer names a declared value that sets the maximum liability under the plan.

The gap between the two tiers is the reason most modern households opt for FVP. A 30-pound laptop settles for $18 under RVP. The same laptop settles at replacement value under FVP. How to document damage after a move in 2026 walks through the photo and inventory steps that support either claim path.

What items are typically excluded from full value protection?

FVP has standard exclusions that carriers name on the coverage terms. Items of extraordinary value (over $100 per pound) must be listed on a High-Value Inventory (HVI) form to qualify for full coverage. That includes fine art, antiques, coin and stamp collections, jewelry, and precious stones. Owner-packed boxes marked Packed by Owner (PBO) qualify only if the outer carton shows visible external damage. Perishable, hazardous, and flammable goods are not accepted on the truck at all under federal transport rules. Cash and legal documents should not ride in the truck.

Any item not listed on the High-Value Inventory (HVI) settles at the standard per-pound cap for extraordinary-value goods. Ask the estimator to walk the home and note every high-value item on the HVI at the walk-through. That single form is the difference between a full settlement and a capped one on a rare piece.

FVP Coverage Checklist

1. Verify the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Confirm USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408 status is Active, then check the Florida IM license on the FDACS portal before signing.

2. Walk each room with the estimator and total the declared value of the load. Note electronics, art, antiques, and specialty items separately.

3. Ask for the FVP rate, the deductible, and the excluded categories in writing on the estimate. A $0 deductible costs more than a $500 or $1,000 deductible.

4. List every item over $100 per pound on the High-Value Inventory (HVI). Fine art, antiques, coin and stamp collections, jewelry, and precious stones all need HVI listing.

5. Photograph high-value items before load day, close-up and wide. Photos support any claim if damage occurs in transit.

6. Confirm the mover-packed vs owner-packed split. Mover-packed items keep full FVP coverage. Owner-packed boxes carry limited coverage under the Packed by Owner (PBO) rules.

7. Read the coverage terms on the estimate line by line. Confirm the settlement basis, the claim window, the excluded categories, and any specific carrier caps.

8. Note the federal 9-month claim window from the delivery date. File any written claim inside that window with the carrier of record.

9. Keep the driver phone number and dispatch line handy on delivery day. Report any visible damage on the Bill of Lading (BoL) at delivery.

10. Ride jewelry, cash, medication, and legal documents in the car, not the truck. Those categories are excluded from FVP coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Full Value Protection included on every interstate move?

No. Released Value Protection (RVP) at $0.60 per pound per article is the federal minimum and is included as standard. Full Value Protection (FVP) is a paid cover the customer opts into on the written estimate. Ask for the FVP rate and the deductible in writing before signing.

How is the FVP rate calculated?

The FVP rate runs about 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of the load. A $50,000 declared value at 1.5 percent runs $750. Carriers set a minimum declared value equal to the weight of the load times a per-pound rate. The deductible tier the customer picks also shifts the final rate.

What deductible options apply to FVP?

Common deductible options are $0, $250, $500, and $1,000. A $0 deductible carries the highest rate. A $500 or $1,000 deductible lowers the rate. Pick a deductible that pairs with the value of the load and the household's ability to absorb a small out-of-pocket amount.

Does FVP cover a Packed by Owner box?

Only in limited cases. A Packed by Owner (PBO) box qualifies for a damage claim if the outer carton shows visible external damage in transit. Internal damage on a PBO box is generally denied because the carrier cannot verify the packing. Mover-packed items keep full FVP coverage.

What is the High-Value Inventory form?

The High-Value Inventory (HVI) is a federal form that lists items of extraordinary value on the shipment. Items over $100 per pound must appear on the HVI to qualify for full FVP coverage. That includes fine art, antiques, coin and stamp collections, jewelry, and precious stones. Sign the HVI at the walk-through.

How long do I have to file a claim under FVP?

The federal claim window is 9 months from the delivery date. File a written claim with the carrier of record inside that window. Note any visible damage on the Bill of Lading (BoL) at delivery. Photograph the item close-up and wide before moving anything off the truck.

Can I buy third-party moving insurance instead of FVP?

Yes. Third-party moving insurance is a separate product from FVP. It runs through a specialty broker and has its own claim process. Compare the coverage terms, the deductible, and the claim window against FVP before picking a path. Some households layer both.

Is FVP worth it for a local hourly move?

Usually no. Local hourly moves under 50 miles carry lower transit risk and shorter time on the truck. RVP at $0.60 per pound per article often covers the low-value items on a short move. FVP is worth the paid cover on interstate loads with electronics, art, antiques, or a total value over $10,000.

Does FVP cover items in short-term or long-term storage?

Yes, when the storage rides on the same Bill of Lading (BoL) as the move. Storage-in-transit and long-term storage under the carrier's contract stay under the FVP coverage terms named on the estimate. Ask the estimator to confirm the storage coverage extension in writing before the load moves off the truck.

Ready to Book Full Value Protection?

Call Safebound at 561-510-7191 to lock a written estimate with the Full Value Protection rate, the deductible, and the declared value on the coverage terms. A licensed estimator walks the home, names the High-Value Inventory items, and confirms the coverage before the truck loads. Get a free quote to price FVP on a load. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.

People Also Read

• Moving Insurance Explained: Released Value vs. Full Value Protection

• Full Value Protection in 2026: How It Is Quoted and What It Covers

Sources & References

• FMCSA, Protect Your Move

• Florida DACS, Mover Verification

• FTC, Avoid Scams When You Hire a Moving Company

Safebound Moving & Storage is licensed, insured, and certified throughout Florida and the continental United States. USDOT 2900155 | MC 975408 | FL IM2839. BBB Accredited. Forbes Featured. Verify at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.

About the Author

Leo Cavaretta | Moving Industry Specialist, Safebound Moving & Storage

Leo Cavaretta is a moving industry specialist at Safebound Moving & Storage, a licensed carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida (USDOT 2900155). Leo specializes in interstate moving regulations, USDOT compliance, residential relocation, and moving cost transparency, helping customers navigate the full moving process, from written, price-locked estimates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees to long-distance logistics, with confidence. Since 2016, Safebound has completed more than 35,000 residential and commercial relocations across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, and is BBB Accredited. Get a free quote or learn about Safebound Moving & Storage.

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