Your Rights and Responsibilities When You
Move
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The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
regulations protect consumers on interstate
moves and define the rights and responsibilities
of consumers and household good carriers(movers).
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| Although movers are not required
to give estimates, most movers do provide estimates
when requested. There are two types of estimates,
binding and non-binding. |
Binding Estimates of Total
Cost |
The mover may charge you for providing
a binding estimate which must clearly describe
the shipment and all services provided
When you receive a binding estimate, you
cannot be required to pay any more than the
amount of the estimate. However, if you have
requested the mover to provide more services
than those included in the estimate, such
as destination charges (i.e. long carry charges,
shuttle charges, extra stair carry charges,
or elevator charges) often not know at origin,
the mover may demand full payment for those
added services at time of delivery.
To be effective, a binding estimate must
be in writing and a copy must be made available
to you before your move.
If you agree to a binding estimate, you are
responsible for paying the charges due by
cash, certified check, traveler's check, or
bank check (one drawn by a bank on itself
and signed by an officer of the bank) at time
of delivery unless the mover agrees before
you move to extend credit or to accept payment
by charge card. If you are unable to pay at
the time the shipment is delivered, the mover
may place you shipment in storage at your
expense until the charges are paid. |
Non-Binding Estimates
of Approximate Cost |
The mover is not permitted to charge for
giving a non-binding estimate.
A non-binding estimate is not a bid or contract.
It is provided by the mover to give you a
general idea of the cost of the move, but
it does not bind the mover to the estimated
cost. Furthermore, it is not a guarantee that
the final cost will be more than the estimate.
The actual cost will be in accordance with
the mover's published tariffs. All movers
are legally obligated to collect no more and
no less than the charges shown in their tariffs
regardless of prior rate quotations contained
in non-binding estimates. The charges contained
in the tariffs are essentially the same for
the same weight shipment moving the same distance.
If you obtain differing (non-boding) estimates
from different movers, you will obligated
to pay only the amount specified in the tariff.
Therefore, a non-binding estimate may have
no effect on the amount you have to pay.
Non-binding estimates must be in writing
and clearly describe the shipment and all
services provided. Any time a mover provides
such an estimate the amount of the charges
estimated must be on the order for service
and bill of lading relating to your shipment.
If you are given a non-binding estimate, do
not sign or accept the order for service or
bill of lading unless the amount estimated
is is entered on each form when prepared by
the mover.
If you are giving a non-binding estimate,
the mover cannot require you to pay more that
the amount of the original estimate, plus
10 percent, at time of delivery. You will
then have at least 30 days after delivery
to pay any remaining charges.
If you request the mover to provide more
services than those included in the estimate,
the mover may demand full payment for those
added services at the time of delivery. |
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It is customary for movers
to offer price and service options. The total
cost of your move may be increased if you
want additional or special services. Before
you agree to have your shipment moved under
a bill of lading providing special service,
you should have a clear understanding with
the mover what the additional cost will be.
You should always consider that you may find
other movers who can provide the service you
require without requiring that you pay the
additional charges.
One service option is a SPACE
RESERVATION. If you agree to have your
shipment transported under a space reservation
agreement, you are required to pay for a minimum
number of cubic feet of space in the moving
van regardless of how much space in the van
is actually occupied by your shipment.
A second service option is EXPEDITED
SERVICE to aid shippers who must have
their shipments transported on or between
specific dates which the mover could not ordinarily
agree to do in its normal operations.
Another customary service option
is EXCLUSIVE USE OF A VEHICLE. If for
any reason you desire or require that your
shipment be moved by itself on the mover's
truck or trailer, most movers will provide
such service.
Still another service option is GUARANTEED SERVICE ON OR BETWEEN AGREED
DATES. You enter into an agreement with
the mover that provides for your shipment
to be picked up, transported to destination
an delivered on specific guaranteed dates.
If the mover fails to provide the service
as agreed, you are entitled to be compensated
at a predetermined amount or a daily rate
(per diem) regardless of the expense you actually
might have incurred as a result of the mover's
failure to perform.
Before requesting or agreeing
to any of these price and service options,
be sure to ask the mover's representatives
about the final costs you will be required
to pay. |
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Although all movers try to
move each shipment on one truck it becomes
necessary at times to divide a shipment between
two or more trucks. This may occur if the
mover had underestimated the cubic feet of
space required for your shipment, with the
consequence that it will not all fit on the
first truck. The remainder or "leave behind"
will be picked up by a second truck at a later
time and may arrive at the destination at
a later time than the first truck. When this
occurs, your transportation charges will be
determined as if the entire shipment moved
on one truck.
If it is important for you to
avoid the inconvenience of a "leave behind,"
be sure that your estimate includes an accurate
calculation of the cubic feet required for
your shipment. Ask your estimator to use a
"Table of Measurements" form in making this
calculation. Consider asking for a binding
estimate, which is more likely to be conservative
with regard to cubic feet than non-binding
estimates. If the mover offers the service,
consider making a space reservation for the
necessary amount of space plus some margin
of error. In any case, it is prudent to "prioritize"
your goods in advance of the move so that
the more essential items will be loaded on
the first truck if some are left behind. |
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Moving companies are required
to prepare an order for service on every shipment
transported for an individual shipper. You
are entitled to a copy of the order for service
when it is prepared.
The order for service is not a
contract. Should your move be canceled or
delayed or if you decide not to use the mover,
you should promptly cancel the order.
Should there be any change in
the dates on which you and the mover agreed
that your shipment will be picked up and delivered,
or any change in the non-binding estimate,
the mover may prepare a written change to
the order for service. The written change
should be attached to the order for service.
You and the mover must sign the order fir
service. |
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The bill of lading is the contract
between you and the mover. The mover is required
by law to prepare a bill of lading for every
shipment it transports. The information
on the bill of lading is required to be the
same information shown on the order for service. The driver who loads your shipment must give
you a copy of the bill of lading before he
loads your furniture.
It is your responsibility to
read the bill of lading before accepting it.
The bill of lading requires the
mover to provide the service you have requested,
and you must pay the charges for the service.
The bill of lading is an important
document. Do not lose or misplace your copy. Have it available until your shipment is delivered,
all charges are paid and all claims, if any,
are settled. |
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At the time the mover's driver
loads your shipment, he or she, although not
required to do so, usually inventories your
shipment listing any damage or unusual wear.
The purpose is to make a record of the condition
of each item. If the driver does not make
an inventory, you should make one yourself.
After completing the inventory,
the driver will sign each page and ask you
to sign each page. It is important before
signing that you make sure that the inventory
lists every item in your shipment and that
the entries regarding the condition of each
item are correct. You have the right to note
any disagreement. When the shipment is delivered,
if an item is missing or damaged, your ability
to recover from the mover for any loss or
damage may depend on the notations made.
The driver will give you a copy
of each page of the inventory. Attach the
complete copy of the inventory to your copy
of the bill of lading. It is your receipt
for the goods.
At the time your shipment is delivered,
it is your responsibility to check the items
delivered against the items listed on your
inventory. If new damage is discovered, make
a record of it on the inventory form. Call
the damage to the attention of the driver
and request that a record of the damage be
made on the driver's copy of the inventory.
After the complete shipment is
unloaded, the driver will request that you
sign the driver's copy of the inventory to
show that you received the items listed. Do
not sign until you have assured yourself that
it is accurate and that proper notations have
been entered regarding any missing or damaged
items. When you sign the inventory, you are
giving the driver a receipt for your goods. |
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| Shipment Subject to Minimum
Weight or Volume Charges |
Movers usually have a minimum
weight or volume charge for transporting
a shipment. Usually the minimum is the charge
for transporting a shipment of at least
1,000 pounds (454 kilograms).
If your shipment appears to
weigh less than the mover's minimum weight,
the mover is required to advise you on the
order for service of the minimum cost before
agreeing to transport the shipment. Should
the mover fail to advise you on the minimum
charges and your shipment is less than the
minimum weight, the final charges must be
based on the actual weight instead of the
minimum weight.
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| Determining the Weight of
Your Shipment |
If charges are to be based
upon the weight of your shipment, the mover
is required to weight the shipment. Unless
your shipment weighs less than 1,000 pounds
(454 kilograms) and can be weighed on a warehouse
platform scale. The mover is required to determine
the weight of your shipment by one of the
following processes.
Origin Weighing-If your
shipment is weighed in the city or
area from which you are moving, the driver
is required to weigh the truck on which the
shipment is to be transported before coming
to your residence. This is called the tare
weight. At the time of this first weighing
the truck may already be partially loaded
with one or more other shipments. This will
not affect the weight of your shipment. The
truck should also contain the pads, dollies,
hand-trucks, ramps, and other equipment normally
used in the transportation of household goods
shipments.
After loading, the truck will
be weighed again to obtain the loaded weight,
called the gross weight. The net weight
of your shipment is then obtained by subtracting
the tare weight from the gross weight.
Destination Weighing-The
mover is also permitted to determine the weight
of your shipment at the destination at the
time of unloading. The fact that a shipment
is weighed at the destination instead of at
the origin will not affect the accuracy of
the weight of your shipment. The most important
difference is that the mover will not be able
to determine the exact charges on your shipment
before it is unloaded.
Destination weighing is done in
reverse of origin weighing. After arriving
in the city or area to which you are moving,
the driver will weigh the truck, with your
shipment loaded on it, to obtain the gross
weight before coming to your new residence
to unload. After unloading your shipment,
the driver will again weigh the truck to obtain
the tare weight. The net weight of your shipment
then be obtained by subtracting the tare weight
from the gross weight.
Each time a weighing is performed
the driver is required to obtain a weight
ticket showing the date and place of weighing
and the weight obtained. The ticket must also
have your name and shipment number entered
on it, along with the identification (ID)
numbers of the truck. The ticket must be signed
by the person who performed the weighing.
If both the empty (tare) and loaded (gross)
weighings are performed on the same scale,
the record of both weighings may be entered
on one weight ticket.
At the time the mover gives you
the freight bill to collect the charges, a
copy of every weight ticket relating to you
shipment must accompany your copy of the freight
bill.
You have the right to observe
every weighing. The mover is required to inform
you of the specific location of each scale
that will be used and to allow you a reasonable
opportunity to be present. If you desire to
observe either or both of the weighings, you
should tell mover at the time the order for
service is prepared or, in any event, before
the date of your move. This will enable the
mover to contact you before the weighing to
advise you of the location of the scale. |
Reweighing of Shipments |
If your shipment is weighed
at origin and you agree with the mover that
you will pay the charges at time of delivery,
the mover is required to give you written
notice of the weight and charges on your shipment
before commencing to unload at your destination
residence. If you believe that the weight
is not accurate, you have the right to request
that the shipment be reweighed before unloading.
The mover is not permitted to
charge for the weighing. It the weight of
your shipment at the time of the reweigh is
different from the weight determined at origin,
the mover must recompute the charges based
on the rewiegh weight.
Before requesting a reweigh, you
may find it to your advantage to estimate
the weight of your shipment using the following
method:
- Count the number of items in your shipment.
Usually there will be either 30 or 40 items
listed on each page of the inventory. For
example, if there are 30 items per page
and your inventory consists of four complete
pages and a fifth page with 15 items listed,
the total number of items will be 135. If
an automobile is listed on the inventory
do not include that item in the count of
the total items.
- Subtract the weight of any automobile
included in your shipment from the total
weight of your shipment. If the automobile
was not weighed separately, it's weight
can be found on its title or license receipt.
- Divide the number of items in your shipment
into the weight. If the average weight resulting
from this exercise ranges between 35 and
45 pounds (16 and 20 kilograms) per article.
It is unlikely that a reweigh will prove
beneficial to you and could result in your
paying higher charges.
Experience has shown that the
average shipment of household goods will weigh
about 40 pounds (18 kilograms) per item. If
a shipment contains a large number of heavy
items, such as cartons of books, boxes of
tools or heavier than average furniture, the
average weight per item may be 45 pounds (20
kilograms) or more. |
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You and your mover must reach an agreement
as to when your shipment is to be picked
up and delivered. It is your responsibility
to determine on what date, or between what
dates, you need to have the shipment picked
up and on what date or between what dates,
you require delivery. It is the movers responsibility
to tell you if the service can be provided
on or between those dates or, if not, on
what other dates the service can be provided
In the process of reaching an agreement
with a mover, it may be necessary for you
to alter your moving and travel plans if
no mover can provide service on the specific
dates you desire. Do not agree to have your
shipment picked up or delivered "as soon
as possible." The dates or periods of time
that you and the mover agree on should be
definite.
Once an agreement is reached, the mover
is required to enter those dates on the
order for service and the bill of lading.
Once your goods are loaded, the mover is
contractually bound to provide the service
described in the bill of lading. The only
defense for not providing the service on
the dates called for is the "defense of
force majeure." This is a legal term which
means that if circumstances which could
not have been foreseen and which are beyond
the control of the mover prevent the performance
of the service as agreed to in the bill
of lading, the mover is not responsible
for damages resulting from the nonperformance.
If, after an order for service is prepared,
the mover is unable to make pickup or delivery
on the agreed dates, the mover is required
to notify you by telephone, telegram or
in person. The mover must at that time tell
you when your shipment can be picked up
or delivered. I for any reason you are unable
or unwilling to accept pickup or delivery
on the dates named by the mover, you should
attempt to reach agreement on an alternate
date.
The establishment of a delayed pickup or
delivery date does not relieve the mover
from liability for damages resulting from
the failure to provide services as agreed.
However, when you are notified of alternate
delivery dates it is your responsibility
to be available to accept delivery on the
dates specified. If you are not available
and willing to accept delivery, the mover
has the right to place your shipment in
storage at your expense or hold the shipment
on its truck and assess additional charges.
If after pickup of your shipment, you request
the mover to change the delivery date, most
mover will agree to do so providing your
request will not result in unreasonable
delay to their equipment or interfere with
another customers move. However, the mover
is not required to consent to amended delivery
dates and has the right to place your shipment
in storage at your expense if you are unwilling
or unable to accept delivery on the date
agreed to in the bill of lading.
If the mover fails to pick up and deliver
your shipment on the dates entered on the
bill of lading and you have expenses you
otherwise would not have had, you may be
able to recover those expenses from the
mover. That is what is called an inconvenience
or delay claim. Should a mover refuse to
honor such a claim and you continue to believe
that you are entitled to be paid damages,
you may sue the mover. The FHWA has no
authority to order the mover to pay such
claims.
While it is hoped that your shipment will
not be delayed, you should consider this
possibility and find out before you agree
for a mover to transport you shipment what
payment you can expect if the service is
delayed through the fault of the mover.
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You must advise the mover at
the time you make the arrangements for the
move if you wish to be notified of the weight
and charges. You are required to give the
mover a telephone number or address at which
the notification will be received.
The mover must notify you of the
charges at least on 24-hour weekday prior
to the delivery, unless the shipment is to
be delivered the day after pickup. The 24-hour
requirement does not apply when you obtain
an estimate of the costs prior to the move
or when the shipment is to be weighed at the
destination. |
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At the time of delivery, the mover expects
you to sign a receipt for your shipment.
This is usually accomplished by having you
sign each page of the mover's copy of the
inventory.
Movers are prohibited from having you sign
a receipt which relieves the mover from
all liability for loss or damage to the
shipment. Do not sign any receipt which
does not provide that you are signing for
your shipment in apparent good condition
except as noted on the shipping documents.
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All moving companies
are required to assume liability for the value
of the goods which they transport. However,
there are different levels of liability, and
the consumer should be aware of the amount
of protection provided and the charges for
each option.
Basically, most movers offer four
different levels of liability under the terms
of their tariff and pursuant to the Surface
Transportation Board's Released Rates Orders
which govern the moving industry.
Option 1: Released Value
This is the most economical protection
option available. This no-additional-cost
option provides minimal protection. Under
this option, the mover assumes liability for
no more than 60 cents per pound($1.32 per
kilogram), per article. Loss or damage claims
are settled based on the pound weight of the
article multiplied by 60 cents (or the kilogram
weight multiplied by $1.32). For example,
if a 10-pound (4.54 kilogram) stereo component,
valued at $1,000 were lost or destroyed, the
mover would be liable for no more than $6.00.
Obviously the shipper should think carefully
before agreeing to such an arrangement. There
is no extra charge for this minimal protection,
but you must sign a specific statement on
the bill of lading agreeing to it.
Option 2: Declared Value
Under this option, the valuation
of your shipment is based on the total weight
of your shipment times $1.25 per pound ($2.75
per kilogram). For example, a 4000-pound shipment
(1814.4 kilograms) would have a maximum liability
value of $5,000.00. Any loss or damage claim
under this option is settled based on the
depreciated value of the lost or damaged item(s)
up to the maximum liability value based on
the weight of the entire shipment. Under this
option, if you shipped a 10-pound (4.54 kilogram)
stereo component that originally cost $1,000,
the mover would be liable for up to $1,000,
based on the depreciated value of the item.
Unless you specifically agree
to other arrangements, the mover is required
to assume liability for the entire shipment
based on this option. Also, the mover is entitled
to charge $7.00 for each $1,000 (or fraction
thereof) of liability assumed for shipments
transported under this option. In the example
above, the valuation charge for a shipment
valued at $5,000 would be $35.00. Under this
option, your shipment is protected based on
its depreciated value, and the mover is entitled
to charge you a fee for this extra protection.
Option 3: Lump Sum Value
Under this option, which is similar
to Option 2, if the value of your shipment
exceeds $1.25 per pound ($2.75 per kilogram)
times the weight of your shipment, you may
obtain additional liability protection from
the mover. You do this be declaring a specific
dollar value for your shipment. The amount
you declare must exceed $1.25 per pound ($2.75
per kilogram) times the weight of you shipment.
The amount of value that you declare is still
subject to the same valuation charge ($7.00
per $1,000) as described in Option 2. For
example, if you declare that your 4,000-pound
(1814.4 kilogram) shipment is worth $10,000
(instead of the $5,000 under Option 2), the
mover will charge you $7.00 for each $1,000
of declared value, or $70.00, for this increased
level of liability. If you ship article that
are unusually expensive, you may wish to declare
this extra value. You must make this declaration
in writing on the bill of lading.
Option 4: Full Value Protection
Many movers offer a fourth level
of added-value protection, often referred
to as "full value protection" or "full replacement
value." If you elect to purchase full value
protection, article that are lost, damaged
or destroyed will be either replaced, repaired
with like items or a cash settlement will
be made for the current market replacement
value, regardless of the age of the lost or
damaged item. Unlike the other options, depreciation
of the lost or damaged item is not a factor
in determining replacement value when the
shipment is moved under full value protection.
The cost for full value protection
is approximately $8.50 per $1,000 of declared
value; however, the minimum value declared
must be equal to the the weight of the shipment
multiplied by $3.50 per pound ($7.70 per kilogram),
which is further subject to a minimum declaration
of $21,000.
For example, if your shipment
weighs 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms), the
minimum declared value must be at least $21,000.
The exact cost for full protection may vary
mover and may be further subject to various
deductible levels of liability which may reduce
you cost. Ask your mover for the details of
its specific plan.
Under these four options, movers
are permitted to limit their liability for
loss or damage to articles of extraordinary
value, unless you specifically list these
articles on the shipping documents. An article
of extraordinary value is any item whose value
exceeds $100 dollars per pound ($220 per kilogram).
Ask your mover for a complete explanation
of this limitation before you move. It is
your responsibility to study this provision
carefully and to make the necessary declaration.
These optional levels of liability
are not insurance agreements which are governed
by state insurance laws, but instead are authorized
under Released Rates Ordered of the Surface
Transportation Board of the U.S. Department
of Transportation. In addition to these options,
some carriers may also offer to sell, or procure
for you, separate liability insurance from
a third-party insurance company when you release
your shipment for transportation at the minimum
released valuation of 60 cents per pound ($1.32
per kilogram) per article (Option 1). This
is not valuation coverage governed by Federal
law, but optional insurance that is regulated
under State law. If you purchase this separate
coverage, in the event of loss or damage which
is the responsibility of the mover, the mover
is liable only for an amount not exceeding
60 cents per pound ($1.32 per kilogram) per
article, and the balance of the loss is recoverable
from the insurance company up to the amount
of insurance purchased. The mover's representative
can advise you of the availability of such
liability insurance and the cost.
If you purchase liability insurance
from or through the mover, the mover is required
to issue a policy or other written record
of the purchase and to provide you with a
copy of the policy or other document at the
time of purchase. If the mover fails to comply
with this requirement, the mover becomes fully
liable for any claim for loss or damage attributed
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All movers are
expected to respond promptly to complaints
or inquiries from their customers. Should
you have a complaint or question about your
move, you should first attempt to obtain a
satisfactory response from the mover's local
agent, the sales representative who handled
the arrangements for your move, or the driver
assigned to your shipment.
If for any reason you are unable
to obtain a satisfactory response from one
of these persons, you should then contact
the mover's principal office. When you make
such a call, be sure to have available your
copy of all the documents relating to the
move. Particularly important is the number
assigned to your shipment by the mover.
Interstate movers are also required
to offer neutral arbitration as a means of
resolving consumer disputes involving loss
or damage on collect on delivery (COD) shipments.
Your mover is required to provide you with
information regarding its participation in
an arbitration program.
All interstate moving companies
are required to maintain a complaint and inquiry
procedure to assist their customers. At the
time you make the arrangements for your move,
you should ask the movers representatives
for a description of the movers procedure,
the telephone number to be used to contact
the carrier and whether the mover will pay
for such telephone calls. |
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Payment
of the Transportation Charges |
At the time
for payment of the transportation charges,
the mover is required to give you a freight
bill identifying the service provided and
the charge for each service. It is customary
for most movers to use a copy of the bill
of lading as a freight bill; however, some
movers use an entirely separate document for
this purpose.
Except in those instances where
a shipment is moving on a binding estimate,
the freight bill must specifically identify
each service performed, the rate per unit
for each service, and the total charges for
each service. Do not accept or pay a freight
bill which does not contain this information.
If your shipment was transported
on a collect on delivery (COD) basis, you
will be expected to pay the total charges
appearing on the freight bill at the time
of delivery unless the mover provided a non-binding
estimate of approximate cost and the total
charges for the services included in the estimate
exceed 110 percent of the estimated charges.
It is customary for mover to provide
in their tariffs the freight charges must
be paid in cash, by certified check, traveler's
check, or bank check (one drawn by a bank
on itself and signed by an officer of the
bank). When this requirement exists, the mover
will not accept personal checks. At the time
you make arrangements for your move, you should
ask the mover about the form of payment that
is acceptable.
Some movers permit payment of
freight charges by use of a charge card. However,
do not assume because you have a nationally
recognized charge or credit card that it will
be acceptable for payment. Ask the mover at
the time the arrangements are made.
If you do not pay the transportation
charges at the time of delivery the mover
has the right under the bill of lading to
refuse to deliver your goods. The mover may
place them in storage at your expense until
the charges are paid.
If, before the payment of the
transportation charges, you discover an error
in the charges, you should attempt to correct
the error with the driver, the mover's local
agent, or by contacting the mover's main office.
If an error is discovered after payment, you
should write the mover (the address will be
on the freight bill) explaining the error
and request a refund.
Movers customarily check all shipment
files and freight bills after a move has been
completed to make sure the charges were accurate.
If an overcharge is found, you will be notified
and refund made. If and undercharge occurred,
you will be billed for the additional charges
due. |
Payment
of the Transportation Charges on Shipments
Transported on Two or More Vehicles |
Although all
movers try to move each shipment on one truck
it becomes necessary at times to divide a
shipment among two or more trucks. This frequently
occurs when an automobile is included in the
shipment and it is transported on a vehicle
specially designed to transport automobiles.
When this occurs your transportation charges
are the same as if the entire shipment moved
on one truck.
If your shipment is divided for
transportation on two or more trucks, the
mover can require payment for each portion
as it is delivered.
Movers are also permitted, but
not required, to delay the collection of all
charges until the entire shipment is delivered.
At the time you make the arrangements for
your move, you should ask the mover about
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Payment
of Transportation Charges on Shipments Lost
or Destroyed in Transit |
Mover customarily make every effort to
assure that while your shipment is in their
possession for transportation, no items
are lost, damaged or destroyed. However,
despite the precautions taken, articles
are sometimes lost or destroyed during the
move.
In addition to any money you may recover
from the mover to compensate for lost or
destroyed articles, you are also entitled
to recover the transportation charges represented
by the portion of the shipment lost or destroyed.
On shipments with partial loss or destruction
of goods, the transportation charges must
be paid. The mover will then return proportional
freight charges at the time loss and damage
claims are processed. Should you entire
shipment be lost or destroyed while in the
mover's possession, the mover cannot require
you to pay any of the charges except for
the amount you have paid or agreed to pay
for added liability protection. The fact
that you do not pay any transportation charges
does not affect any right you may have to
recover reimbursement for the lost or destroyed
articles providing you pay the charges for
added liability protection.
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Payment
of Transportation Charges on Redirected Shipments |
During natural occurrences such as flooding,
it is important to keep in mind that carriers
are permitted to reroute as necessary in
order to accomplish pick-ups and deliveries.
In such instances, the predetermined chart
mileages provided in the Mileage Guide would
not apply and instead the mileages would
be constructed from the map series based
on the actual routes traveled. The authority
for these reroutings is contained in Section
2 of the bill of lading (Contract Terms
and Conditions of the Uniform Household
Goods Bill of Lading).
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Should your
move result in loss or damage to any of your
property, you have the right to file a claim
with the mover to recover money for such loss
or damage.
You nine months following either
the date of delivery, or the date on which
the shipment should have been delivered, to
file a claim. However, you should file a claim
as soon as possible. If you fail to file a
claim within 120 days following delivery and
later bring a legal action against the mover
to recover the damages, you may not be able
to recover your attorney fees even though
you win the court action.
While the Federal Government maintains
regulations governing the processing of loss
and damage claims, it cannot resolve these
claims. If you cannot settle a claim with
the mover, you may file a civil action to
recover in court. In this connection, you
may obtain the name address of the mover's
agent for service of legal process in your
state by contacting the FHWA.
In addition, interstate movers
are required to participate in a Dispute Resolution
Program which provides that certain types
of unresolved loss or damage claims must be
submitted to a neutral arbitrator for resolution.
You may find submitting your claim to arbitration
under such a program to be a less expensive
and more convenient way to seek recovery of
your claim. Movers are required to advise
all COD shipper of the existence and details
of the arbitration program before they accept
a shipment to be transported. If the mover
does not provide you with information about
a dispute resolution program before you move,
ask him for the details of the program. |
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Should you have
any questions about your move which are not
answered in this document, do not hesitate
to ask the mover's representative who handled
the arrangements for your move, the driver
who transports your shipment, or the movers
main office for additional information.
For further advice or assistance,
contract the Federal Highway Administration:
Licensing & Insurance Division
(HIA-30)
Office of Motor Carrier Information
Analysis
Federal Highway Administration
400 Virginia Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20024
(202) 358-7027
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- Movers may give binding estimates.
- Non-binding estimates may not be accurate;
actual charges may often exceed the estimate.
- Specify pickup and delivery dates in the order for service.
- The Bill of Lading is your contract
with the mover...READ IT CAREFULLY...If
you have any questions ask your mover.
- Be sure that you understand the extent
of your mover's liability for loss and damage.
- You have the right to be present each
time your shipment is weighed.
- You may request a reweigh of your shipment.
- If you have moved on a non-binding estimate,
you should have enough cash or a certified
check to pay the estimated cost of your
move plus 10 percent more at time of delivery.
- Unresolved claims for loss or damage may
be submitted to arbitration; ask your mover
for details
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Accessorial (Addititonal) Services -
services such as packing, appliance servicing,
unpacking, or piano stair carries that you
request to be performed (or are necessary
because of landlord requirements or other
special circumstances). Charges for these
services are in addition to the transportation
charges.
Advanced Charges - charges for services
not performed by the mover but instead by
a professional, craftsman or other third
party at your request. The charges for these
services are paid for by the mover and added
to your bill of lading charges.
Agent - a local moving company authorized
to act on behalf of a larger national company.
Appliance Service - preparation
of major electrical appliances to make them
safe for shipment.
Bill of Lading - the receipt for
your goods and the contract for their transportation.
IT is your responsibility to understand
the bill of lading before you sign it. If
you do not agree with something on the bill
of lading, do not sign it until you are
satisfied that it is correct. The bill of
lading is an important document. Don't lose
or misplace your copy.
Binding/Non-Binding Estimate - a
binding estimate is an agreement made in
advance with the mover that guarantees the
total cost of the move based on the quantities
and services shown on the estimate. A non-binding
estimate is the carrier's approximation
of the cost based on the estimated weight
of the shipment and the accessorial
services requested. A non-binding estimate
is not binding on the carrier and the final
charges will be based on the actual weight
and tariff provisions in effect.
Carrier - the mover providing transportation
of your household goods.
C.O.D. - transportation for an individual
shipper for which payment is required at
the time of delivery at the destination
residence (or warehouse).
Expedited Service - an agreement
with the mover to perform transportation
by a set date in exchange for charges based
on a higher minimum weight.
Flight Charge - an extra charge
for carrying items up or down flights of
stairs.
Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service - an additional level of service whereby
dates of service are guaranteed, with the
mover providing reimbursement for delays.
The premium service is often subject to
minimum weight requirements.
High Value Article - items included
in a shipment that are valued at more than
$100 per pound.
Inventory - the detailed descriptive
list of your household goods showing the
number and condition of each item.
Linehaul Charges - charges for the
vehicle transportation portion of your move.
These charges apply in addition to the additional
service charges.
Long Carry - an added charge for
carrying articles excessive distances between
the mover's vehicle and your residence.
Order for Service - the document
authorizing the mover to transport your
household goods.
Order (Bill of Lading) Number -
the number used to identify ad track your
shipment.
Peak Season Rates - higher linehaul
charges that are applicable during the summer
months.
Pickup and Delivery Charges - separate
transportation charges applicable for transporting
your shipment between the SIT warehouse
and your residence.
Shuttle Service - use of a smaller
vehicle to provide service to residences
that are not accessible to the mover's normal,
larger linehaul equipment.
Storage-In-transit (SIT) - temporary
warehouse storage of your shipment pending
further transportation, for example, if
your new home isn't quite ready to occupy.
You must specifically request SIT service,
which may not exceed a total of 90 days
of storage, and you will be responsible
for the added charges for SIT service, as
well as the warehouse handling and final
delivery charges.
Tariff - the mover's required, published
price list of rules, regulations, rates
and charges for the performance of interstate
moving services.
Valuation - the degree of "worth"
of the shipment. The valuation charge compensates
the mover for assuming a greater degree
of liability than that provided for in the
base transportation charges.
Warehouse Handling - an additional
charge applicable each time SIT service
is provided. This charge compensates the
mover for the physical placement and removal
of items within the warehouse.
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