Moving Guide

There are so many things to think about when moving! Here's a comprehensive checklist to help you stay on track.

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INSURANCE VS. LIABILITY

When you are moving the insurance is the most confusing of all. It is extremely important that you understand everything and make sure that all your possessions are adequately insured before you make a move.
One thing you can do to make it less stressful is to evaluate carefully
Your options for protecting your household possessions while they’re in the custody of your moving Company, No matter which mover you select, it pays to prepare in advance of your move so that you’ll have time To gat the necessary information you’ll need to weigh your moving insurance and mover’s valuation Options.

1. Insurance
Mover/Moving companies are required to assume liability for the value of the goods that they move. You need to be aware of the amount of protection and the charges for each option. Movers are required to provide you with information on what it will cost you to place a value on your should be provided with a brochure “Here’s What You Need to Know About Placing a Value on Your Goods Shipment Before You Move” or this information may be included in “Your Rights and Responsibility” brochure.

Unlikely in an event of loss or damage (as result of your move) you have nine months to submit a claim. However, you are still responsible for paying for the move in a timely fashion. This is generally COD or Postal Money Order on the day of unloading.

One thing you can do to make it less stressful is to evaluate carefully your options for protecting your household possessions while they’re in the custody of your moving company.
No matter which mover you select, it pays to prepare in advance of your move so that you’ll have time to gather the necessary information you’ll need to weigh your moving insurance and mover’s valuation options.

Basic Carrier Liability-Released Value
This is the often called limited liability and is the minimum coverage required by law. This insurance base price and does not cost you any extra money. It is most economical option available however carrier liability is only covered to no more than 60 cents per pound per article.

Declared Value Protection
This coverage is based on depreciated value of an item regardless of current replacement cost. With this option, assumes liability for the entire shipment at an amount equal to $1.25 time the weight of your shipment. To obtain this coverage please consult your mover for additional charges and rules.

Full (Replacement) Value Protection
This option is often referred to as full replacement value protection. With this plan, any goods lost, or destroyed during the move be either repaired, replaced or a cash settlement made. This is the most comprehensive insurance plan available for the protection of your goods while in transit depending on the movers however by choosing a higher deductible you may be able to reduce the coverage (coverage with deductible reduces the premium) however you will be responsible for the first $100.00-$500.00 of loss or repairs depending on the deductible amount.

Homeowners Insurance
Some homeowner’s insurance policies cover household goods while in transit. Make sure you contact the insurance company and ask them what level of coverage and what exactly is covered. In the event you need to file a claim with the insurance company you will need to prove that the loss or breakage is due to mover’s negligence. No money will be paid out due to any poor packing by you.
Extra Ordinary Value Items:
- Antiques
- Crystal
- Precious Stones or Gems
- Art Collections
- Currency
- Silver and Silverware
- Cameras
- Figurines
- Video Cameras
- Computer Software
- Furs
- Coin Collections
- Oriental Rugs

All items in your shipment, which are considered to be of extraordinary value (must be identified); a “High Value Inventory Sheet” must be completed and signed by you prior to your move. If you fail to list all extraordinary value items and/or fail to sign the “High Value Inventory Sheet” line liability for loss of or damage to those items will be limited to no more than $100.00 per pound.

You must declare the total amount of the released value that you declare for your goods. Record the total value on the “Bill of Lading”. The protection for items of extraordinary value is not available for shipments, which are released of 60 cents per pound per article (basic carrier liability option).

Insurance Policies

Remember, moving companies are not insurance companies. For casualty type losses you need either a Homeowner’s or Renter’s insurance policy.
* Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Limitations
Most homeowner’s policies provide coverage for you belongings up to your policy limits while they are at your residence. Check with your agent (if you have one) or with your insurer and read your policy in advance for your move. In fact, before you move, make sure your personal. But know in advance what would happen in the event of a casualty type of loss.

* Renter’s Policies
Renter’s policies are similar to Homeowner’s insurance policies, but they can sometimes be less restrictive- possible because renters move frequently and they’re not concerned with buildings.

Some may even provide special insurance coverage for while you’re moving. If your current insurer can’t help you, it may pay to shop around. Just do so well in advance of your move, purchase an adequate amount of coverage and plan to keep your coverage in force at your new location.

SOME IMPORTANT TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Damage, Loss and Perils
Two basic categories of loss that might occur during a move. Both types of loss are the exception and not the rule, but either or both could occur during your move.
1. Damage, breakage, marring and other types of loss caused by the mover’s or shipper’s negligence, carelessness or accident.
2. A casualty loss, such as a fire, windstorm or similar damage that might occur through no fault of the moving company and that often results in damage to other property besides the household goods you are moving.

Homeowners and renters are familiar with the second type of loss and will usually have either a Homeowner’s or Renter’s insurance policy that covers their personal property. Insurance policies typically carry a deductible and provide coverage either on an all risk or a named perils basis:
• An all risk insurance policy provides coverage for any cause of damage or loss unless the cause is specifically excluded, such as wear and tear- and typically breakage and marring.
• A named peril insurance policy provides and coverage only for the causes (perils) that are specifically listed in the policy- such as fire, lightning, windstorm, etc.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Coverage
Actual cash value coverage means that the insurer will pay to repair or replace covered property for an amount up to today’s price to replace the item less depreciation- the amount that the item’s value is reduced because of its age or condition when the loss occurs.
Replacement cost coverage means that the item is insured for the full amount of today’s replacement cost without subtracting depreciation.
Mover’s Valuation
Valuation is the predetermined limit of liability that a mover has for your property while it’s in the mover’s possession.
*Released Valuation is the standard protection that a moving company must provide at no additional charge. This type of valuation provides protection at the rate of 60 cents per pound. Depreciation applies, but there is no deductible and no added cost to the customer. Standard valuations per pound may differ for local and in-state moves.
*Full Value Protection is available from your mover at an additional charge. The base minimum amount of protection (valuation) mandated by the FMSCA is $5000.00 or $4.00 per pound, whichever is greater, but movers are allowed to adjust the minimum amounts each year base on fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index. The best part of this option is the $4.00 (or whatever amount is purchased) per pound valuation is not applied to each item, so a 40-pound TV is not limited to $160.00. Instead, it’s limited to its actual replacement cost.
You may be able to select “No Deductible”, of course the higher the deductible you choose, the lower the cost of the protection.

Moving companies sometimes offer additional valuation options:
- Declared Value- You select a cost per pound that you think represents the value of your possessions; the valuation per pound is the multiplied by the total weight of your goods to arrive at the total valuation for your move. Although each item is subject to depreciation (actual cash value,) the limit is not applied per item.
- Assessed Value or Lump Sum- This option is based on value and not weight, and if you are moving a large number of family valuable lightweight items it might be a good choice. The amount you specify becomes the limit the mover can be liable for if you lost your entire shipment.
Be sure to discuss and understand available moving valuation options and their costs with your moving company and remember that valuation is not moving company insurance. Movers Valuation Restrictions and Limitations
Moving valuation protection won’t pay for:
* Items in boxes not packed by your movers; unless the exterior of the box or carton is obviously damaged, the damage occurred while the box was in the mover’s care, custody or control, and the damage to the carton was responsible for the damage to the item inside. * Casualty type losses, which were discussed earlier, including fire, windstorm, hail damage. The reason this type of occurrence falls outside of the protection of mover’s valuation is they typically have no control over these of losses. * Damage to items marked as already damaged on your inventory list. No one should accept a mover to pay for items that were damaged before the mover even tool possession of them.
* Items placed in a self-storage facility that is not under the mover’s control.
* Damage caused by mold and mildew.
* Loss to pairs of sets unless the damage or loss occurs to all items in the pair or set.
* Any loss or damage not resulting from the negligence of the mover.