In California, a licensed mover holds a household mover licence issued by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), shown as a six-digit CAL-T number. Insured means the company carries cargo and liability coverage for your belongings. You can check any mover’s licence free on the BHGS licence search before you book.
Almost every moving company in San Diego says it is “licensed and insured.” Very few explain what that means, and a surprising number still name the wrong regulator on their own website. Here is what the phrase actually covers under California law in 2026, and how to confirm it in about two minutes.
Who licenses movers in California — and why half the internet gets it wrong
Household goods movers operating within California used to be regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. That changed on July 1, 2018. The CPUC transferred household goods authority to the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
A great deal of moving-industry content online — including licence pages on mover websites — still tells consumers to verify with the CPUC. If you call the CPUC about a mover today, they will refer you elsewhere. BHGS is the agency that issues the licence, holds the complaint file, and takes enforcement action.
The licence number itself did not change name. It is still written as CAL-T followed by a six-digit number, and per the California Moving & Storage Association it “is to be shown on all documentation.”
If a mover’s website, estimate and trucks carry no licence number anywhere, that is your answer before you make a single phone call.
What “insured” means — and what it doesn’t
Insurance on a move covers two different things, and they are routinely confused:
- Liability coverage — protects against injury or damage to property during the move, including damage to the building itself.
- Cargo coverage — protects your belongings while they are in the mover’s care.
Neither is the same as the valuation option on your paperwork. Basic released-value protection pays a fixed amount per pound, which on a dropped television is close to nothing. Full-value protection costs more and behaves like actual cover. Ask which one applies to your move and get the answer in writing, because the difference only becomes obvious after something breaks.
How to verify any California mover in two minutes
- Find the CAL-T number. Website footer, written estimate, or truck door. Six digits.
- Search it on the BHGS household movers licence lookup at bhgs.dca.ca.gov. The search returns licence status and any citations or disciplinary actions on file.
- Or call BHGS on (916) 999-2041, or email BHGS.HHMovers@dca.ca.gov. The California Moving & Storage Association also runs a consumer line on (800) 672-1415.
- Check the name matches. Compare the legal business name and address on the licence with the name on your estimate. Some operators quote under one trading name and turn up under another — and if the paperwork name is not the licensed name, the licence is not covering your move.
This is free, it takes one search, and it is the single most useful thing you can do before handing anyone your house keys.
What a licensed mover must give you before moving day
California sets specific obligations on licensed household movers. These are not courtesies — they are requirements.
| What you must receive | When | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods (within California) — the BHGS consumer booklet | At first contact between you and the mover | It sets out your rights in plain language before anyone has your deposit |
| An Important Notice About Your Move document and a copy of the moving services agreement | For moves booked three or more days in advance | You should have the terms in hand well before the truck arrives, not on the doorstep |
| A written “Not to Exceed” price | On the agreement, before the move begins | Your final charge is capped at that figure unless you request extra services on a signed change order |
That “Not to Exceed” price is the clause worth understanding. BHGS regulations require every mover to give you one, and it is the mechanism California uses to stop the classic moving scam — a cheap estimate that becomes a much larger invoice once your belongings are already on the truck and the crew is asking for cash.
Warning signs of an unlicensed mover
- No CAL-T number anywhere on the website, estimate, or vehicles
- A number that returns nothing, or a different company name, on the BHGS search
- A quote given over the phone with no inventory and no walkthrough, then presented as final
- A large cash deposit demanded up front
- No written moving services agreement and no “Not to Exceed” price
- Unmarked rental trucks on moving day
- A company name that differs from the one on the paperwork
None of these is proof of anything on its own. Two or more together are worth walking away from, and walking away costs you nothing at that stage.
If something goes wrong
Licensed movers operate under a structured claims process, and when a claim is not resolved you can escalate: BHGS takes consumer complaints about household movers directly, and those complaints sit on the licence record where the next customer can see them.
With an unlicensed operator you have no regulator to escalate to, typically no cargo coverage, and no “Not to Exceed” protection. Recovering a loss becomes a civil matter you pay a lawyer to pursue. That is the real cost of choosing on price alone.
Must Have Movers’ licence
Must Have Movers operates under California household mover permit CAL-T #192578 and carries cargo and liability insurance on every job. Check it on the BHGS search before you book — with us, or with anyone else you are considering.
Once you have checked the licence, the next question is timing — see how far in advance to book movers in San Diego.
We are based in Carlsbad and serve San Diego County, handling local moves, residential and commercial relocations, and long-distance moving. More about our team and credentials, or see the full range of moving services.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates moving companies in California?
The Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Household goods movers were regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission until July 1, 2018, when that authority transferred to BHGS. Many websites still name the CPUC and are out of date.
What is a CAL-T number?
A CAL-T number is the six-digit licence identifier carried by household movers licensed to operate within California. It is issued by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services and must appear on the mover’s documentation, and normally on its website and trucks.
How do I check if a California moving company is licensed?
Search the company’s CAL-T number on the BHGS household movers licence lookup at bhgs.dca.ca.gov. The record shows licence status and any citations or disciplinary actions. You can also call BHGS on (916) 999-2041 or email BHGS.HHMovers@dca.ca.gov.
Do movers have to give me anything in writing before the move?
Yes. A licensed California mover must provide the BHGS booklet Important Information for Persons Moving Household Goods at first contact, and for moves booked three or more days ahead, an Important Notice About Your Move and a copy of the moving services agreement.
What is a “Not to Exceed” price?
It is a cap on what a licensed California mover can charge for your move, required by BHGS regulations and shown on your written agreement. Your final bill cannot exceed it unless you request additional services on a signed change order.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed mover?
You generally have no cargo insurance covering your belongings, no regulator to escalate a dispute to, and no Not to Exceed price protection. Recovering losses becomes a civil matter rather than a regulated complaint and claims process.
Is Must Have Movers licensed and insured?
Yes. Must Have Movers holds California household mover permit CAL-T #192578 and carries cargo and liability insurance on every move. Call (858) 888-6133 for a free quote.
