New York State is home to roughly 1,765 businesses in the moving services sector, employing more than 7,500 people in 2025, with industry revenue approaching $1.2 billion, according to New York Post. At the same time, nearly 2.5 million New Yorkers relocated in 2020 alone, with many more moves occurring every year. Yet, not all of these moving companies operate legally.
The FMCSA database lists over 5,800 registered household goods carriers across the U.S., including many operating in and around NYC. But registration doesn’t guarantee compliance. In fact, many unlicensed or uninsured firms market themselves online, offer rock-bottom prices, and ultimately leave clients liable for damage, stolen goods, or injury claims.
What’s at stake: scam statistics and real consequences
Moving-related complaints have surged in recent years. The Better Business Bureau received over 100,000 inquiries in 2024, with 718 formal complaints filed against moving companies. The median financial loss reported was $754. Nationally, moving scams are projected to increase 35% in 2023, with average losses around $836 per victim.
These scams often involve bait-and-switch quotes or “holding your belongings hostage” until you pay extra, meaning renters and homeowners can get trapped at the worst possible time.
How proper licensing protects you
Licensed movers operating within New York State must hold registration from both the FMCSA (for interstate moves) and the New York State DOT (for intrastate moves). They also carry mandatory insurance, including general liability and workers’ comp, to shield you and your property in case of accidents or theft.
A valid USDOT number allows you to look up safety records and complaint histories via the FMCSA search tool, while a New York DOT household goods authority number confirms they are legally allowed to operate in-state.
What to check before you hire NYC movers
When looking for the best moving company like Empire Movers and Storage NYC, start with these steps:
- Ask for both their USDOT and NYDOT license numbers. Then check their records using the FMCSA search and confirm intrastate authorization via NY DOT’s public database or email to nymoving@dot.state.ny.gov
- Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before booking, to verify coverage for property damage and worker injury.
- Book only after an in‑person or virtual walkthrough, from which a written, binding estimate is generated. Avoid verbal or overly low estimates that seem too good to be true.
- Read independent reviews don’t rely on testimonials on the mover’s own site. Be aware that up to 8.9% of online reviews may be fake or suspicious in this industry.
Real‑world consequences of hiring unlicensed movers
Even moves that seem simple, like crossing into New Jersey, require proper regulatory compliance. In regions where enforcement operations have occurred, some unlicensed movers were cited, fined up to $2,500, and shut down completely due to safety and insurance violations.
Clients who hire such movers risk:
• Bearing the cost of theft or damage themselves;
• Getting stranded without delivery in the middle of a move;
• Being held legally responsible for worker injuries if no coverage is in place.
Why Empire Movers and Storage NYC stands apart
At Empire Movers and Storage NYC, compliance isn’t optional; it’s foundational. We are fully licensed by both the FMCSA and NY DOT, carry comprehensive insurance, and offer transparent, binding quotes after a proper evaluation of your home. Our team is trained in high-value, delicate installations, moving services for interior designers, and tight-access environments. We also maintain discreet, branded trucks, offer flexible scheduling, and coordinate building access, COIs, and staging logistics.
This is why clients consistently choose us as one of the best NYC movers, particularly when they need elevated service and peace of mind, whether moving, staging, hoisting, or storing high‑value design pieces.
Your move deserves accountability
When you live in a city of 8.5 million people and move options number in the thousands, choosing the right moving company in NYC can feel overwhelming. But it gets easier when you know what to verify.
Ensure the company you hire:
• Is licensed at both the federal and state levels
• Carries full insurance protection
• Provides a written estimate based on an in-person or virtual walkthrough
• Offers references or has verifiable, trustworthy reviews
Because in New York, a move is more than shifting boxes, it’s navigating a system where trust, transparency, and credentialing protect your home, your belongings, and your sanity. Contact Goempiremovers.com today to plan your move!