Mover Liability – What you should know

If you break it – you fix it. Not true when it comes to local moving.

No one wants to see something broken while moving, not the person moving or the mover, but sometimes accidents happen.  The worst part about dealing with damages is when the client didn’t know their options and feels betrayed by the mover and  angry they are not taking responsibility for their actions. I help decipher the liability code language up front so that my clients are better informed and able to make the right decision for their situation.

Most people are not aware of what the moving company’s liability is for loss or damage until something gets broken, then they find out the hard way.  Most of us tend not to pay attention when the salesperson starts to go into the liability part of the order and we generally glaze over the details and fail to read the fine print when signing moving documents.  In any case, you find out too late that the mover’s liability is limited.

Here is how it works:

Standard Carrier Liability – All movers have this coverage and it is included in the rates you are being charged for moving services.  Standard liability coverage is limited to .60 per pound per article.  What that means to you is if the moving company damages your 100-pound dining room table, their liability is capped at .60 per pound or $60.00.  It does not matter if it was there fault by way of accident or negligence, .60 per pound per article is their liability.

There are additional liability coverage options available through the moving company, but you pay a premium for that extended coverage. The premium will vary depending on the size of your shipment and whether you have a deductible.  In the event there is loss or damage, the carrier is liable to repair or replace the item back to its former condition. There may be exceptions as to how the coverage is applied if you do your own packing or have high value articles in your shipment, so make sure to get the details from your moving company and understand what your coverage is.

Before taking out additional coverage and paying the added premiums, check with your own insurance carrier to see if you have coverage for loss or damage while moving.  If you are already covered there is no need to purchase additional coverage.

Other ways to ensure your belongings are protected and that you have a claims free move:

1. Photograph the condition of your furniture and your property prior to moving so that you have a record in the event there are damages.
2. Use only movers that are licensed and permitted in the state you live in. In Washington check the Washington Utilities and Transportation website for consumer tips and a list of legal movers. www.wutc.wa.gov
3. Ask your mover what their handling procedures are to protect your belongings against damages. They should be using shrink wrap and furniture moving pads to protect your furniture.
4. Find out what their claims process is if something is damaged.
5. Get referrals to movers from people that you know and have had good moving experiences.

When planning to move, do your homework, plan ahead and be prepared.  The more you know about moving and what to expect the better your experience is going to be. At NextStep Transitions we plan for the unexpected and make sure you have all the information you need to make the right decisions.