Moving: Your Rights and Responsibilities
In order to ensure a smooth move, familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities during a move. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to avoid misunderstandings with your mover.
Moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). By law, moving companies must provide you with a brochure “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” This article highlights some of the information found in that publication. You can read the full text at www.protectyourmove.gov.
Your Responsibilities When Moving
1. Select a reputable mover. Get recommendations, check out prospective movers, and get estimates from three companies.
2. Get a written estimate. Ask whether it is a binding or non-binding estimate. A binding estimate means that the price that you are quoted will be the price that you pay, even if your shipment ends up weighing more or less than the shipper estimated. A non-binding estimate is just the shipper’s estimate of what you will pay, but usually the final cost is higher than the estimate.
3. Clarify which forms of payment the mover will accept upon delivery, and have the payment available. If there are to be additional charges, find out when the balance of the payment is due.
4. Stick around when the mover is packing and loading your belongings onto the truck. Make sure that everything is listed on the inventory list, and that you agree with the condition that the mover notes for each item. Then, check everything off as it is unloaded in your new home and check the condition.
5. Read all paperwork carefully before signing anything. Don’t sign anything that you don’t agree to.
6. Understand the type of liability your mover provides for loss or damage to your belongings. Be certain to purchase adequate insurance for your goods. Choose the best option for you through MoveInsure. For more information, see MoveInsure Coverage Options.
7. Agree on a pickup and delivery date with the mover. Make sure that the dates (or range, if applicable), appear on your Order for Service and Bill of Lading.
Documentation You Should Receive From Your Mover
1.“Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move,” a publication of the U.S. Department of Transportation. It can be found online at www.protectyourmove.gov.
2. Your mover must provide you with a written estimate. Be aware of whether it is a binding or non-binding estimate.
3. Information on their dispute settlement/arbitration program.
4. Contact information for the mover for inquiries and complaints.
5. A copy of the Order for Service that is signed and dated by both you and your mover. This authorizes the moving company to transport your belongings. It will list the estimated cost of your move, special services you requested, and estimated dates of pickup and delivery.
6. Bill of Lading: This is the contract between you and your mover. The driver must give this to you before he loads your belongings. Read it carefully, and sign only if everything written on it is correct. There should be no items that are left blank to be filled in later. When your belongings are delivered, the driver should give you a copy of the completed Bill of Lading. The freight bill should be attached with the scale weight tickets when the freight bill has been paid.
Some Important Numbers and Websites
You can check on this website if your mover is registered with FMCSA. Also, you can find other helpful consumer information including the complete publication “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.”
You can also file a complaint against a mover through www.protectyourmove.org, or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT.
The American Moving and Storage Organization’s website contains information about movers.
