What “60 cents a pound” actually means (and what New Jersey requires)

Somewhere in every moving contract is a line about “60 cents per pound per article.” Most people read it as insurance. It is not — and understanding it before moving day is worth more than any packing tip.

Released value: the default

On an interstate move, federal rules give you a choice. The default is released value protection: the mover’s liability is 60 cents per pound per item. Your ten-pound laptop? Six dollars. It costs nothing extra because it protects almost nothing. The FMCSA explains it in its valuation and insurance guide.

Full value protection: the real coverage

The alternative is full value protection — the mover must repair, replace, or pay out the current value of anything lost or damaged. It costs more, and it is the option to price seriously for any move with real furniture on the truck. Items of extraordinary value — generally over $100 per pound, think jewelry or fine art — must be declared in writing either way.

New Jersey's own floor

For moves within New Jersey, the state sets a minimum carrier liability of $1.00 per pound per article — higher than the federal default — and requires it to be stated in your paperwork. The Division of Consumer Affairs guidance covers what your mover must hand you before the truck is loaded.

What to actually do

Ask every mover two questions: what valuation options do you offer, and what would full value protection cost for my move? The answer belongs in your written estimate — not in a conversation on moving day. We will walk you through both options during your survey, with the numbers on paper where they belong.