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 not 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-binding) estimates from different
movers, you will be obligated to pay only the amount specified in the
tariff. Therefore, a non-binding estimate may have no effect on the
amount you will 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 entered on each form when
prepared by the mover.
If you are given a non-binding estimate, the mover cannot require you
to pay more than 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 TIME OF DELIVERY.
SPACE RESERVATIONS, EXPEDITED SERVICE, EXCLUSIVE USE OF A VEHICLE
AND GUARANTEED PICKUP AND DELIVERY
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
and 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.
TRANSPORT OF SHIPMENTS 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
may occur if the mover has 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.
ORDER FOR SERVICE
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 for service.
BILL OF LADING
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 loading your furniture.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE BILL OF LADING BEFORE YOU
ACCEPT 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.
INVENTORY
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 usually 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 your 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 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.
SHIPMENTS 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 of 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.
DETERMINING THE WEIGHT OF YOUR SHIPMENT
If charges are to be based upon the weight of the shipment, the mover
is required to weigh 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 will 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 (I.D.) 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 your 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 the 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 reweighing. If 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 reweigh 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 the shipment. If the automobile was not
weighed separately, its 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.
PICKING UP AND DELIVERING SHIPMENTS ON THE AGREED DATES
You and your mover must reach 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 mover's 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 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. If 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 service 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 the pickup of your shipment, you request the mover to change
the delivery date, most movers will agree to do so providing your
request will not result in unreasonable delay to their equipment or
interfere with another customer's 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.
This 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 your shipment what payment you can expect if the service is
delayed through the fault of the mover.
NOTIFICATION OF CHARGES
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 one 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.
RECEIPT FOR DELIVERY OF THE SHIPMENT
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.
THE MOVER'S LIABILITY FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE
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 consumers 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 tariffs 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 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 $5,000.00. 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 you $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 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 ($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
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.
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 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 vary by mover and may be further subject to
various deductible levels of liability which may reduce your 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 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 Orders 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 your 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 to its negligence.
COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIES ABOUT THE MOVER'S SERVICE
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 copies
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 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 mover's
representative for a description of the mover's procedure, the telephone
number to be used to contact the carrier and whether the mover will pay
for such telephone calls.
PAYMENTS
PAYMENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION CHARGES
At the time for payment of 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 movers to provide in their tariffs that 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 that 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 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 a refund made. If an
undercharge occurred, you will be billed for the additional charges due.
PAYMENT OF THE TRANSPORTATION CHARGES ON SHIPMENTS TRANSPORTED ON
TWO 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 the charges until the entire shipment is delivered. At the time
you make the arrangements for your move, you should ask the mover about
its policies in this respect.
PAYMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHARGES ON SHIPMENTS LOST OR DESTROYED
IN TRANSIT
Movers 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 your entire shipment be lost or destroyed while in the
mover's possession, the mover cannot require you to pay any of the
charges except 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.
FILING OF CLAIMS FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE OR DELAY AND DISPUTE
RESOLUTION PROGRAMS
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 have 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 those 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 and
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 shippers 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 the mover for the details of the program.
CONCLUSION
Should you have any questions about your move which are not answered
in this pamphlet, do not hesitate to ask the mover's representative who
handled the arrangements for your move, the driver who transports your
shipment, or the mover's main office for additional information.
For further advice or assistance, contact the Federal
Highway Administration:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Office of Public and Consumer Affairs (MC-PA)
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
To file a Household Goods Complaint or other
Commercial Complaint you may call, 1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT).
