Keefe In Touch - May 2011: Protect Yourself If You Move

Greatings

Want to know more?

For more information on protecting your household goods when you move, go to the U.S. Dept. of Transporation Website

DID YOU KNOW?

What are US DOT numbers?

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin.) requires movers to register with the US Dept. of Transportation. All inter-state movers must have a DOT number. Though local movers aren't required to have one, 28 states do require them to have this identification. To maintain registration, movers must comply with strict standards. It is always a good idea to hire a mover with DOT registration.

What kind of assurance can I get that there won't be extra charges?

There are three types of estimates: non-binding, binding and binding not-to-exceed. Always ask for a binding not-to-exceed estimate. If the mover doesn't offer one, keep looking for one that does.

How should I do a background check on a potential mover?

1) Ask for customer references and call the people
2) Contact the Better Business Bureau and American Moving & Storage Association for background including any complaints
3) Check the US DOT Website to determine if the mover is registered.

For useful guides and important questions to ask potential movers go to Movers.com

Quick Links

Mass RMV online

Spring and summer are prime times for house hunting. If you and your family are considering a move, please review the information below. (If you have a friend or relative who is moving, you can forward this to them. The forwarding function is at the end.) Whether this is a first house, a larger place to accommodate a growing family, downsizing in anticipation of retirement, or relocation for a new job, the moving process can be one big headache. Careful and thoughtful pre-planning can save stress and possible financial loss!

Some basic points to consider

Moving from your house or apartment is a trying experience even under ideal conditions. Along with all the things you have to do to get ready and make the move go as smoothly as possible, make sure you have proper protection if your belongings are lost or damaged on the way to your new home.

Typically, homeowner policies, including those for condo unit-owners and renters, provide AUTOMATIC contents coverage while personal property is on the move or temporarily stored. But this isn't the whole story. There are some exceptions.

Coverage usually on a named-perils basis

Move truck What this means is that damages or losses caused only by certain instances are covered. For example, your property would be covered while in transit if there were a fire in the back of the moving van or there were vandalism. But what about other types of losses? As a recent article in The Standard insurance publication (by Allison Atkins) points out:

"What else could happen, though? A box could fall over in the truck breaking the china inside. The movers could put the box of art supplies on top of the white sofa and blue paint could seep through. The antique hutch could be scratched. The movers could drop the new iMac while loading it into the truck. None of these would be covered perils."

Doing the move yourself

Move If you decided to use a family vehicle to move the contents in your home, your personal auto policy would NOT pay for any damages to your property while it is being transported. Any coverage available would come from your homeowners policy. If you rented a van or truck to move, there would likely be coverage for damage to the van or another car if there is an accident during the move. You should ask the truck rental company if they offer any third party insurance options for contents and at what extra cost.

Using a moving company

Movebox Generally, there is a minimum amount of coverage automatically available from moving companies. This is called "Full Value Protection" in the literature. But movers are allowed to limit their liability for loss or damage of valuable objects unless these are specifically listed on the shipping documents. You would have to consider buying additional coverage through the mover, and make sure you carefully read the contract and understand its provisions for damage or loss payments. You may be offered a "Released Value" option for free. Do not select this option as it is determined by the weight of the object damaged and not by its value.

The rules vary by state depending on whether you are moving out of state or more than 50 to 100 miles or you are making a local move that doesn't meet the 50-100 mile threshold. Federal rules govern long-distance moves, while state regulations govern local moves. These rules affect the coverage. Check into what you are being offered by the mover before you sign any contracts. Be sure you have enough coverage to replace your belongings, especially high value items such as jewelry, art objects or antiques, which must be reported to the mover in advance for special coverage.

How to avoid moving company scams

Horror stories abound. Some common moving scams include: increase in money demanded on delivery based on "hidden fees", holding your goods hostage, and insurance fraud. Some illegal movers will offer you a "blanket insurance policy" covering all your goods. Even the most reputable companies only offer minimal coverage and you have to buy the additional insurance from a third party. Any company offering complete coverage is just looking to make extra money and most likely will not honor any claims made.

Some other "tip offs" that the mover contacting you may not be legitimate include:

Asks for a large cash deposit upfront
Does not offer you the Federally required booklet "Your Rights & Responsibilities When You Move"
Refuses to provide you with information such as their State/Federal licensure information, their insurance information or their physical office address
They arrive in a rental truck rather than one with a company logo.

Some steps you can take to protect yourself include:

Check the company's track record with the Better Business Bureau
Get a written in-home estimate. Ask about any and all added fees or tariffs not in the estimate
Make sure everything is documented
Ask for their state and Federal (FMCSA) registration numbers and then check them out online athttp://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Ask them to explain their claims process in detail in case of damage or accident.

For maximum protection, call us. We'd be glad to review your options and also provide you with a quote for your new house, condo or apartment.

If you have both a car and homeowners or renters insurance, we can save you some money with our account program. Call or email us for coverage details and a quote. Call 508-528-3310 or 888-528-3310.

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Disclaimer: It is understood that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional service. If legal or other expert advice is required, the services of a professional should be sought. Insurance information is general in nature; for specific coverage provisions, review contractual policy provisions.