Moving Company Insurance in Texas
Texas has no state-mandated coverage for moving companys on record, but the recommended coverages below still apply.
Texas is the rare state where workers' compensation is optional, which makes the coverage choices below a genuine decision for moving companys rather than a box to tick.
The detail that sets Texas apart for anyone handling other people's animals is liability: the state follows a negligence standard when a dog bites, which is exactly why the coverage priorities below look a little different here than they would a state over.
How Texas regulates moving companys
Workers' comp · Optional
Texas is the only state where workers' compensation is optional for most private employers. A pet-care business can legally operate as a “nonsubscriber,” but opting out forfeits comp's liability shield and exposes the owner personally to employee-injury lawsuits — a live risk when staff handle animals that bite, scratch, or bolt. Nonsubscribers must file annual notices with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation.
Dog-bite liability · Negligence (one-bite rule)
Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974)Texas has no dog-bite statute; liability follows common-law negligence and the “one-bite” rule. An owner or handler is generally liable only if they knew (or should have known) the animal was dangerous, or were negligent in restraining it. For a pet-care operator that raises the value of documented handling protocols and incident logs, since your own records can decide the negligence question.
Licensing & permits
Texas has no statewide license for pet sitters, dog walkers, or trainers. Dog and cat breeders with five or more adult intact female animals who breed them for sale must be licensed under the Texas Licensed Breeder Program (Occupations Code Ch. 802), administered by TDLR — a threshold lowered from eleven to five by SB 876, effective September 2023. Boarding kennels are regulated at the city/county level.
SOURCE · State statutes & regulators as cited · Last reviewed 2026-07
Texas coverage requirements
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers' Compensation | Optional | Statutory | Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional for private employers. |
State regulator: Texas Department of Insurance
Coverage checklist
| Coverage | Requirement | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial AutoCA | Required | $2,080–$5,200/yr |
| General LiabilityGL | Required | $624–$1,560/yr |
| Workers' CompensationWC | Required | $3,120–$8,320/yr |
| Inland Marine / Tools & EquipmentIM | Recommended | $416–$1,248/yr |
| Business Owner's PolicyBOP | Optional | $728–$2,080/yr |
| Commercial PropertyCP | Optional | $728–$2,600/yr |
Cost breakdown
- ·Truck size
- ·Fleet size
- ·Driving radius
- ·Interstate authority
Required for box trucks; interstate movers need DOT-compliant coverage.
- ·Residential vs. commercial
- ·Crew size
- ·Revenue
Covers damage to a home or business and injury during loading; many commercial clients require it.
- ·Payroll
- ·Crew size
- ·Heavy lifting
Required once you have employees; back and lifting injuries are frequent.
- ·Customer goods value
Cargo legal liability / released-value coverage for customer goods in transit.
- ·Office/storage
If you lease an office or warehouse.
- ·Warehouse ownership
If you own/lease a warehouse.
Best carriers for moving company
Moving Company insurance in Texas — FAQ
Do moving companys need workers' comp in Texas?+
In Texas, workers' comp is optional — you can legally run a moving company business without it. But going without ("nonsubscribing") drops the legal protections comp provides and lets injured employees sue you directly, so most owners with staff still carry it. Solo operators with no employees aren't required to.
If a dog in my care bites someone in Texas, am I liable?+
Texas has no dog-bite statute; liability follows common-law negligence and the “one-bite” rule. An owner or handler is generally liable only if they knew (or should have known) the animal was dangerous, or were negligent in restraining it. For a pet-care operator that raises the value of documented handling protocols and incident logs, since your own records can decide the negligence question. That's why general-liability and animal-bailee coverage are worth prioritizing for moving companys working in Texas.
Do moving companies need insurance?+
Yes. Commercial auto is required for moving trucks, general liability covers damage to a home during loading, and workers' comp is required once you have employee movers. Interstate movers also need DOT-compliant coverage.
How much does moving company insurance cost?+
Commercial auto runs $2,000–$5,000 per truck, general liability $600–$1,500, and workers' comp $3,000–$8,000 depending on payroll. Total for a small fleet often reaches $8,000–$20,000 per year.
What's the difference between released value and full-value protection?+
Released value (default, minimal per-pound) and full-value protection (full repair/replacement) are two levels of cargo liability for customer goods. Many customers expect full-value, which costs more.
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