Full Value Protection — Moving's Highest Liability Coverage
Full Value Protection (FVP) is the comprehensive liability option for interstate household goods moves under FMCSA regulations. When a customer selects FVP, the moving company is responsible for the replacement value of any item that is lost, damaged, or destroyed during the move — through repair, replacement with a similar item, or cash settlement at current market value. It is the highest level of protection available and stands in contrast to the default Released Value option, which compensates at only $0.60 per pound per article.
~1% of declared value
Typical cost
$0.60/lb per item
Released Value payout
9 months from delivery
Claim filing window
120 days to settle
Mover response time
FVP vs. Released Value: The Core Difference
Every interstate mover is legally required to offer two coverage options: Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection. Released Value is the default — it's free but provides minimal compensation at $0.60 per pound per damaged item, regardless of actual worth. A 50-inch flat screen TV weighing 35 lbs would yield a $21 payout under Released Value.
Full Value Protection flips the equation. The mover is liable for the item's actual replacement cost. If that same TV costs $700 to replace, the mover must either replace it or pay $700 (minus any deductible the customer selected). The premium for this protection is charged as a line item on the estimate, typically calculated as a percentage of the shipment's declared value.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Full Value Protection | Released Value |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~1% of declared value | Free |
| Payout rate | Current replacement value | $0.60 per pound |
| Example: 10-lb laptop ($1,200) | Up to $1,200 | $6.00 |
| Deductible options | $0 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 | N/A |
| FMCSA requirement | Must be offered | Default if not chosen |
| Claim resolution | Repair, replace, or cash | Cash at $0.60/lb |
Deductible Options Under FVP
Most carriers offer FVP with a choice of deductibles — $0, $250, $500, or $1,000. A higher deductible reduces the premium. For customers who want full protection on high-value shipments but are comfortable assuming some risk on minor damage, the $250–$500 deductible tier is usually the sweet spot.
When presenting FVP on an estimate, always show the cost difference between deductible tiers side by side. Customers who see "$800 full coverage vs. $400 with $500 deductible" can make an informed decision rather than defaulting to Released Value simply because it's free.
How the Claims Process Works
Under FMCSA rules for interstate moves, the customer has nine months from the delivery date to file a written claim with the carrier. The mover then has 30 days to acknowledge receipt of the claim and 120 days to offer a settlement or denial.
The mover's settlement options are:
- Repair the item to its pre-move condition at the mover's expense
- Replace the item with one of like kind and quality
- Pay the customer the current market replacement value, minus the deductible
Note: FVP does not cover items the customer packed themselves unless there is evidence of external damage to the container. It also excludes items of extraordinary value (artwork, jewelry, collectibles) unless they are specifically listed on a High-Value Inventory form.
When to Recommend FVP to Customers
FVP is worth recommending proactively for customers with any of these characteristics:
- Moving high-value electronics, art, antiques, or musical instruments
- Long-distance or cross-country moves with longer transit times
- Storage-in-transit arrangements where goods spend time in a warehouse
- First-time movers unfamiliar with the default Released Value limitations
Moving company CRM software like DriveSales lets estimators present both coverage options side by side during the quote process, require the customer to make an explicit choice (preventing the "I didn't know" claim later), and capture their e-signature confirming the selection — all documented on the Order for Service.
Full Value Protection — FAQ
Everything moving companies and their customers ask about FVP.
Make Coverage Selection Frictionless
DriveSales presents FVP and Released Value side by side on every estimate, captures the customer's signed choice, and attaches it to the Order for Service automatically.