Moving Broker Surety Bond: What the $75,000 Protects
The $75k broker bond isn't for you - it's for the carriers the broker stiffs - but you can file a claim against it when a broker takes your deposit and...
Last Updated: September 2026
TL;DR: A moving broker surety bond is a federal $75,000 financial guarantee licensed brokers must post with the FMCSA. It protects shippers when a broker fails to arrange a booked move or refuses to refund a paid deposit. Consumers file claims directly against the bond through the surety company on record.
A moving broker surety bond is a $75,000 federal financial guarantee that licensed household goods brokers must post with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under 49 CFR Part 387. The bond covers unpaid claims when a broker fails to arrange a move, refuses a refund, or shuts down after taking a deposit. A shipper files the claim directly with the surety company named on the broker record. The bond is required for every FMCSA-licensed broker before an MC number activates.
Safebound Moving and Storage is a licensed Florida carrier and auto transport broker that runs moves across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, the federally required cargo insurance, and the $75,000 broker surety bond. The company has delivered 35,000+ moves since 2016 and holds 4.9 stars across 2,401 reviews. Customers can start a written, price-locked quote by requesting a free quote. All broker and carrier credentials verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The five takeaways below frame each bond, claim, and verification check before hiring an interstate mover.
Key Takeaways
Bond amount: The FMCSA requires a $75,000 surety bond for every licensed household goods broker under 49 CFR Part 387.
What it covers: The bond covers unpaid consumer claims when a broker fails to arrange the booked move or refuses a refund owed.
Who files: The shipper files a written claim directly with the surety company named on the broker record.
Carrier vs broker: Household goods carriers carry cargo insurance instead. Auto transport brokers carry a separate $75,000 broker bond.
Verification: Check the broker MC number, the bond company, and the bond effective date at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before booking.
The five sections below map each bond, claim, and check to the right stage of hiring a licensed interstate mover.
What is a moving broker bond?
A moving broker bond is a $75,000 surety instrument that a licensed household goods broker files with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The bond is not insurance for the broker. It is a financial guarantee that protects shippers when the broker fails to arrange the booked move, refuses a required refund, or violates FMCSA consumer rules. A licensed surety company underwrites the bond and pays valid claims up to the $75,000 cap. The FMCSA cross-references the active bond record with the broker MC number.
A shipper can view the bond company, the bond number, and the effective date on the FMCSA public record. The carrier vs broker guide shows how the bond differs from carrier cargo insurance and when each applies.
How do I claim against a moving broker bond?
A shipper claims against a moving broker bond by filing a written demand with the surety company named on the FMCSA broker record. The claim includes the booking confirmation, the paid deposit receipt, the written estimate, and a short statement of the loss. Common claim types are undelivered deposits, no-show pickups, and refunds a broker refused after cancellation. The surety company reviews the claim, contacts the broker, and pays valid claims up to the $75,000 bond cap.
The FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database is the parallel path for filing a formal record. Below is the practical comparison of the two dispute paths.
| Recovery Path | What It Covers | Where to File |
|---|---|---|
| Surety Bond Claim | Unpaid refunds, no-show pickups, deposit losses | Surety company on FMCSA record |
| FMCSA Consumer Complaint | Rule violations, deceptive practices | nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov |
| Cargo Damage Claim | Goods damaged in transit | Carrier of record on the Bill of Lading |
| State Attorney General | Fraud, consumer protection issues | State AG office |
| Small Claims Court | Contract disputes under state caps | Local county court |
File the surety bond claim first when the loss is a deposit or a booking failure. The bond company usually responds in 30 to 60 days with a written decision.
Are movers required to have surety bonds?
Household goods brokers are required to hold a $75,000 surety bond. Household goods carriers are not. Carriers instead carry federally mandated cargo insurance and public liability coverage that pays claims for goods damaged in transit. The FMCSA requires the bond for a broker because a broker never takes physical custody of the shipment. The bond guarantees the deposit and the booking commitment. A carrier proves financial responsibility through the insurance on file.
Auto transport brokers post a separate $75,000 broker bond under the same 49 CFR Part 387 rules. The motorcycle broker vs carrier guide shows how auto transport bonds work in practice.
How do I verify a broker's surety bond?
Verify a broker surety bond in three steps. First, look up the broker MC number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Second, open the broker record and check that the bond status is Active. Third, note the surety company name and the bond effective date. Save a screenshot the day of booking. A broker whose bond shows Inactive, Cancelled, or Expired cannot legally arrange interstate moves that day. Do not pay a deposit without the Active bond confirmation.
The FMCSA also lists cargo insurance and public liability coverage for licensed carriers. The unlicensed mover guide lists other red flags customers should catch before signing.
What is the difference between a broker bond and cargo insurance?
A broker bond guarantees the booking arrangement. Cargo insurance covers goods damaged in transit. The two protections apply at different points in the move. A shipper who pays a deposit and then cannot reach the broker files against the bond. A shipper whose sofa arrives with a torn cushion files a cargo claim with the carrier of record on the Bill of Lading. Both records live inside the FMCSA lookup, but the paperwork paths are separate.
Released Value Protection at $0.60 per pound per article is the federal minimum cargo coverage. Full Value Protection settles at repair, replacement, or current cash value per the coverage terms. Ask for both records, the broker bond and the carrier insurance, in writing before paying anything.
Broker Bond Verification Checklist
Ask the broker for the FMCSA MC number and the surety bond company name before signing anything. A licensed broker gives both on request.
Open safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and look up the MC number. Confirm the broker status is Active and the bond record is Active on the same day.
Screenshot the FMCSA record on the day of booking. Save it with the written estimate and the deposit receipt in case the broker record changes later.
Read the written estimate line by line. Confirm the cancellation window, the deposit refund terms, and the delivery date before paying.
Ask whether the booking runs on the broker's authority or through a specific carrier. Note the carrier MC number in the file as well.
Pay by credit card when possible. Card chargebacks add a second recovery path if the bond claim is slow.
Keep every text, email, and voicemail from the broker. A written record supports the claim if the booking fails.
File the FMCSA consumer complaint the same day the bond claim goes in. The two records support each other during review.
If the loss stays unpaid after 60 days, contact the state Attorney General office in the state where the broker is licensed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the FMCSA moving broker bond?
The FMCSA requires a $75,000 surety bond for every licensed household goods broker under 49 CFR Part 387. The same $75,000 bond amount applies to licensed auto transport brokers. The broker files the bond through a licensed surety company. The bond stays on file for as long as the broker holds an active MC number.
Who pays out on a broker bond claim?
The surety company named on the FMCSA broker record pays valid claims up to the $75,000 bond cap. The broker does not pay the shipper directly. The surety company reviews the written claim, contacts the broker, and issues a decision. If the claim is paid, the broker owes the surety company a reimbursement under the bond agreement.
What does the $75,000 broker bond cover?
The bond covers unpaid consumer claims tied to the broker booking. Common claim types include undelivered deposits, no-show pickups, refused refunds, and FMCSA consumer rule violations. The bond does not cover goods damaged in transit. Cargo damage runs through the carrier of record on the Bill of Lading, not through the broker bond.
How do I find a broker's bond information?
Look up the broker MC number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Open the broker record and scroll to the bonds and insurance section. The surety company name, bond number, and effective date appear there. Confirm the status shows Active on the day of booking. Screenshot the record for the file.
What if the bond is Inactive?
Do not pay a deposit. A broker whose bond shows Inactive, Cancelled, or Expired cannot legally arrange interstate moves that day. Ask the broker to send confirmation from the surety company that a new bond is on file. Verify the update at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before signing or paying.
How long does a broker bond claim take?
The surety company usually issues a written decision inside 30 to 60 days of a complete claim filing. Complex cases with disputed facts can take longer. File the FMCSA consumer complaint at nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov the same day the bond claim goes in. The two records support each other during the review.
Can I file a claim after 90 days?
Yes. The federal claim window for cargo damage is 9 months from delivery. Broker bond claims follow the specific terms of the surety agreement, which usually run 12 months from the loss date. Read the surety company claim rules before filing. Waiting past the stated window may bar recovery on the bond.
Is a carrier's cargo insurance the same as the broker bond?
No. Cargo insurance protects the shipper against goods damaged in transit and applies to the carrier that physically moves the shipment. The broker bond protects the shipper against booking failures and applies to the licensed broker. Both records show on FMCSA, and both may apply on one move.
Does Safebound hold a broker bond?
Yes. Safebound is a licensed household goods carrier under USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408, and holds the required broker surety bond for auto transport under 49 CFR Part 387. All bond, insurance, and license records verify at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and at the FDACS portal for the Florida IM2839 license.
Ready to Book a Licensed and Bonded Move?
Call Safebound at 561-510-7191 to lock a written, flat-rate quote from a licensed and bonded interstate mover. A dispatcher confirms the FMCSA record, files the Bill of Lading, and sends the written estimate before the deposit clears. Request a free quote to start. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
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Sources & References
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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