We arrange purchasing moving insurance policies through our network of licensed moving service companies.

THE MOVER’S LIABILITY FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE

All moving companies are required to assume some liability for the value of the goods which they are transporting. Some responsibility is implied by law; the customer may also purchase additional protection. There are different levels of liability under the terms of their tariffs and pursuant to the Surface Transportation Board’s Released Rates Orders.

Option 1: RELEASED VALUE

This is the most economical protection option available. This is a free option implied by law which 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 50 pound desk valued at $1,000 was lost or destroyed, the mover would be liable for no more than $30.

Option 2: DECLARED VALUE

Under this option, the valuation of your shipment is based on the total weight of the shipment times $1.25 per pound ($2.75 per kilogram). For example, a 4,000-pound shipment (1814.4 kilogram) would have a maximum liability value of $5,000. 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) vase 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 you $10 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 $50. 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 the shipment, you may obtain additional liability protection from the mover. You do this by 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 the shipment. The amount of value that you declare is subject to the same valuation charge ($10 per $1,000) as described in option 2.

For example, if you declare that your 4000-pound (1814.4 kilogram) shipment is worth $10,000 (instead of the $5,000 under option 2), the mover will charge you $10 for each $1,000 of declared value, or $100, for this increased level of liability. If you ship articles 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, articles that are lost, damaged or destroyed will be either repaired, replaced 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. T he cost for full value protection is $14 per $1,000 of declared value; however, the minimum value declared must be equal to 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 value protection may be subject to various deductible levels of liability. Please consult with our customer service representative for additional information.

Notes:

These optional levels of liability are not insurance agreements which are governed by State insurance laws, but instead are authorized under Released Rates Orders of the Surface Transportation Board of the U.S. Department of Transportation. You may want to obtain separate liability insurance from a third party insurance company or through your home-owner insurance policy when you release your shipment for transportation at the minimum released valuation of 60 cents per pound per article. For further advice or assistance you may contact the Federal Highway Administration at Licensing & Insurance Division (HIA-30) at:

Office of Motor Carrier and Highway
Safety Information Analysis
400 Virginia Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20024

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