Filing a Claim

Obviously, your movers will do everything in there power to protect your goods, they will disassemble your furniture, wrap it in blankets and other packing materials. However, despite their best efforts the items are sometimes get lost or destroyed during a move.

You should file a claim as soon as possible. If you file to file a claim within 9 months, your mover may not be required to accept your claim. If you institute a court action and win, you may be entitled to attorney's fees. If you submitted your claim to the mover within 120 days after delivery or the date delivery is scheduled (whichever is later); and (1) the mover did not advise you of the availability of arbitration program as a means of resolving disputes; (2) a decision was not rendered through arbitration within the time required by law; or (3) you are instituting a court option to enforce an arbitration decision with which the mover has not complied.

In addition to any money you can recover from your mover to compensate for lost or destroyed articles, you may also recover the transportation charges represented by the portion of the shipment lost or destroyed. Your mover may disregard this paragraph if loss or damage was due an act or omission by you. Your mover may require you to pay any specific valuation charge due.

Your mover is forbidden from collecting, or requiring you to pay, any freight charges when your household goods shipment is totally lost or destroyed in transit, unless the loss or destruction was due to an act or omission by you.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions of a contract between the mover and the customer are most vital information that every customer must be familiar with. However, terms and conditions are located on the back of the bill of lading and is printed in hard to see small print. Even though movers provide their customers with a copy of bill of lading, majority of customers don't check the back side and actually don't read the terms and conditions section.

Terms and Conditions describe:

• Moving Company's liability over the shipment,
• Shipper's rights and responsibilities.

Below we have a copy of the Terms and Conditions, scanned from the bill of lading.

Please ZOOM IN for normal size font.

Moving Motorcycles

There are three ways to transport motorcycles

1. Ride it to your new destination

 

2. Rent a specialized motorcycle trailer

 

3. Let your movers handle it, transporting it inside with your household goods

Riding your motorcycle is the preferred way of transportation. Especially, if your destination does not involve any off-road or the destination is not too far from your original location. When moving out of state or to destinations of over 250 miles, riding a motorcycle may not be the easiest way of transportation.

Transportation inside of a specialty trailer is the second best choice for moving your motorcycle. You can rent a good quality motorcycle trailer from a number of places, one of which is uhaul, or you can purchase a good quality trailer for just under $1,000 and have it customized for your bike.

When using a trailer to transport your motorcycle you must follow some basic directions. 1) Load your bike onto the trailer front-end first. 2) Tie it down with special straps. 3) Have the front wheel pressed tight to the front tire locator. 4) Crisscross tie-down straps placing cloth underneath the place where straps hold your motorcycle. 5) The tension applied by your tie-downs by lowering front suspension down 25% to 33% of the available travel. This will keep your motorcycle secure, while your trailer is going over any pot holes or bumps. 6) Strap the back wheel of your motorcycle in the similar manner as front, preventing it from swaying the back end of the motorcycle while the trailer is making turns.

Movers will transport your motorcycle in a regular box truck or trailer designed to transport household goods. Make sure that your movers have experience transporting motorcycles, as well as the insurance options they may offer, for any motorcycle related damages. An experienced mover will place your motorcycle at the very end of the load for two reasons. 1st your furniture and boxes will not surround your bike and keep it independently secured inside the box or trailer. 2nd the movers will have to stop after first 10 to 15 minutes of the ride to adjust the straps securing your motorcycle in place.

Inside a regular box or trailer your motorcycle will be secured to the side of the box. This means that one side of your motorcycle will be next to the wall of the box. The movers should create a thick padding between your bike and the wall, usually they use regular moving blankets. As many as half a dozen for the front and the back end.

Inventory

Movers are required to take inventory of the customers goods at any time the delivery will not be made the same day. During local moves with a distance of under 100 miles, and delivery to be made on the same day as pick up, the movers are not required to inventory customer's items. The customer can request movers to inventory their shipment, however local moves are charge hourly and inventorying shipment will add extra time which will be added to the total cost of relocation. Most customer choose to simply follow the moving truck in route to their new location. Some customers have asked us if they can lock the gate of the truck with their own locks. This option is not available, as the truck can be pulled over by highway patrol for a random inspection, and the driver must provide officers with access to the truck. If the driver can not open the truck's gates the officers can impound the truck for complete inspection. Once the truck is police's position, they will cut off the locks and can request movers to off load the entire shipment, and cite the driver for not complying with the officers request in the first place.

Movers will inventory the shipment as part of their job's requirement with out additional cost to the shipper, in case of long distance delivery which will be held on the truck for over day, or the shipment is taken to mover's warehouse for storage.

If your mover/driver refuses to inventory your shipment, you should report this to the moving company. In case the moving company refuses to inventory your shipment, consider finding a different mover. In case there is no other mover available to be hired, you need to take a detailed inventory of your shipment yourself. Your goal is to list every item and its condition before loading it on the truck.

Each inventory form must have your name, the name of the moving company, write down the trucks description and its license plate number, driver's information, your pickup and delivery addresses, every item of your shipment and description of the items condition. All forms must be signed by both you - the shipper and the mover/driver. Keep the original copies of the forms you created and give the copies to the driver. If the driver/mover writes the inventory, he get's to keep the original and will provide you with it's copies. Make sure that you agree with the movers description of your articles condition. If you disagree with it, make a note on the original forms.

At delivery

If there are items missing or damaged, your subsequent ability to dispute the items lost or damaged may depend on your notations on the inventory forms.

The copies of inventory forms must be attached together with bill of lading as an integral part of the moving contract.

Just having the notes on your inventory forms does not necessary guarantee receiving the disputed amount for damaged or lost items. The shipper/customer must file an official claim with the moving company. Do not take the word of the driver promising you "not to worry, that he will take care of everything himself". Make sure to take pictures of damaged items and the condition of the box they arrived in and amount of padding inside the box. If you packed the boxes yourself the burden of proving that the items were properly protected will fall on you.

Insurance companies prefer professional movers to protect your valuables. We recommend our customers (if they are on budget) to pack all the non-breakables, and items of lesser value and leave the most valuable articles to be packed by our movers.

Hazardous Materials

One of the first rules you need to know when preparing to move is to have a clear understanding of the items which movers are not allowed to transport with household goods.

To keep the shipment safe in transit, the state and federal laws have an number of items that are considered hazardous and are illegal to be transported.

Some of the materials most common to household use are indicated below:

A. Combustible Liquids:

    Alcohol (Rubbing);

    Lubricants (Motor Oil);

    Anti-Freeze Compounds.

B. Corrosives:

    Acid;

    Drain Cleaner;

    Photographic Acid (used in developing film);

    Bleach;

    Batteries (wet or dry);

    Water Purinfying Agents (used in swimming pools);

C. Exposives:

    Fire Works;

    Small Fire Arems Ammunition

    Flash Bulbs.

D. Flammables:

    Lighter Fluid;

    Matches;

    Wood Oil Stains;

    Petrol - Chemical Based Garden Spray;

    Paint or Varnish;

    Paint or Varnish Removers;

    Butane or Propane or Gasoline Garden Equipment;

    Signal Flares;

    Charcoal Briquettes.

E. Compressed Gasses:

    Aerosol Cans;

    Fire Extinguishers;

    Scuba Diving Tanks.

If you have any questions please contact mover's office. We would be happy to go over your options with you.

Moving Appliances

Appliances need to be cleaned and serviced before the move date to guarantee safe transportation.

Here are a few tips.

Moving appliances from one home to another requires a great deal of preparation.

Movers' responsibility

Movers are supposed to do the heavy work - the actual transporting of the appliances from client's home into the truck and then safely out of the truck into the new residence. Our movers will do anything possible to ensure that appliance gets to its destination safely.

However, the preparation of major appliances and other home furnishings is an important activity for you to schedule. Some of it needs to begin days before the actual move day.

Owners' Responsibility

These preparations must be done by the customer, a professional technician, or moving company can set up their partner (Reputable Appliance Tech.) who will do it, in any case let your mover know which of these options you prefer ahead of time.

Preparing appliances to withstand handling during transit or while in storage.

This process can include bracing a washer tub, disconnecting an ice maker, capping off a gas line, and special handling of satellite dish components.

Most Movers do not:

o Disconnect appliances (ice maker, washer, dryer, etc.) or reconnect them in the new residence;

o Disconnect utilities;

o Repair appliances;

o Remove or install window air conditioners or television and radio antennas;

o Perform wiring, plumbing, electrical or carpentry services.

REFRIGERATOR

Cleaning

• Use mild detergent to wipe off the exterior finish.

• Before cleaning the interior, dispose of perishables and unplug the power cord.

• Wash removable parts such as shelves and drawers with a mild detergent or in a solution of warm water and baking soda (about one tablespoon. of baking soda to one quart of water). Ice trays and ice storage bins should be washed in lukewarm water only.

• Wash the interior walls and any non-removable parts with a mild detergent or baking soda solution.

• Leave the door open for at least 24 hours. Allowing all moisture to evaporate. If your refrigerator is not a frost-free model, allow extra time to complete defrosting and drying.

• Secure all loose plastic parts.

• Glass shelves should be removed, cleaned and carefully packed in a carton for protection during transit.

• Be sure the appliance is totally empty and clean. A refrigerator which is not cleaned before transit can develop an unpleasant, permanent odor, making the appliance unusable at destination.

• After cleaning, place an odor and mildew preventative in your refrigerator.

• At the bottom of the refrigerator, remove the base covering and vacuum the condenser or compressor.

• Empty and clean the evaporator pan; allow time for it to dry.

Servicing

• Turn off the water and disconnect the water line if you have a cold water dispenser or automatic ice maker. You should also empty the water reservoir.

• If your refrigerator is an older model, you may need to have the motor or compressor bolted down. The majority of refrigerators now are sealed units that do not require this service.

• At destination, do not operate the refrigerator for at least 24 hours after delivery. This allows the oil time to settle, preventing possible damage to the compressor.

• Ice makers and water dispensers must be connected to a water line. Installation service or parts can be obtained from an authorized dealer. Copper tubing, a shut-off valve and fittings may be required. Once the ice maker is in service, dispose of the first few batches of ice because of possible impurities from opening a water line.

WASHER

Cleaning

• Use appliance cleaner to wipe off the exterior.

• On the inside, clean lint filter and tub.

• Leave the lid open so that any moisture will evaporate.

Servicing

• Turn off water faucets, disconnect and drain hoses.

• Wrap the metal connector ends of hoses in a towel and place inside the washer.

• To ensure the safe transport of the washer, it should be serviced to prevent swaying of the tub.

• All water should be drained from the tub because shipments can travel through a variety of climates and terrain.

• Ask our specialist about third-party appliance servicing. There are more than 20 different washer moving kits available from various appliance manufacturers. The cost for third-party servicing is nominal, especially for the protection it provides to your washer.

• After your move, be sure to have the washer connected by a qualified installer.

DRYER

Cleaning

• Unplug the dryer or turn off the electrical power to the appliance.

• Remove any debris from the lint screen with your fingers or a dry paper towel. Do not use water on the screen.

• Wipe off the exterior with an appliance cleaner and soft damp cloth.

• You can remove dust from the interior with a damp sponge.

• If the dryer drum is discolored, try a mild liquid household cleaner or a paste of laundry detergent and warm water. Rub the area until the discoloration is removed. Wipe thoroughly. Then reconnect to electricity and operate the dryer with a load of old rags to remove any soap residue and to thoroughly dry the drum. Remove the rags when finished.

Servicing

• Disconnect the electrical supply to the appliance.

• For a gas dryer, the appliance should be disconnected and the gas line capped off before moving day by a qualified service technician.

• At destination, use a qualified installer who is familiar with requirements for gas and or electricity, as well as the exhaust system.

Estimates

When choosing a moving company, you should request written estimates from two or more movers so you can compare prices. Written estimates are binding, which means once the services described on the estimate the price for those can not go up.

All written estimates must be based on visual inspection of your goods and location and must describe services and total charges. A verbal rate quotation (hourly rate or price per pound) is not an estimate.

Remember verbal estimates are not binding, to avoid problems in the long run, choose between written estimates.

In describing your wishes (required services) be as consistent as possible with each mover you talk to; this will make it easier to compare estimates. Be sure to tell prospective mover of all goods that need to be moved, any special services you require, and condition that may effect pickup and delivery (e.g. stairs, narrow road). It is especially important to tell movers everything about your new home that may effect your move. This ensures a more accurate estimate of cost, and reduces the chance of misunderstanding and/or unexpected charges on moving day.

A carrier's rates for long distance moves are based on constructive miles, which are miles accounting for driving conditions and the size or the weight of the shipment. If the move is over 100 constructive miles, it is considered a long distance move and in California must be charged on miles and weight basis. Any move crossing state boarders is also considered long distance moves, but those moves are governed by Federal agency called Department of Transportation. DOT allows carriers/movers to charge based on miles and weight or size of shipment. If your move is 100 constructive miles or less, and is with in California state, it is considered a local move and is usually charge by the hour. In local moves that may be completed just in a few hours, movers don't find it cost effective to send out an estimator to view your residence if it is smaller that a 2 bedroom house or 3 bedroom apartment. Movers will quote you an hourly rate. You should still try to find a mover willing to go out and give you a written estimate. If you are unsuccessful, in getting written estimate for a small move, hire the mover with better reputation, don't need to hire the mover with the lowest hourly rate.

Most movers have minimum charges. For example, on hourly moves, a carrier may charge a minimum of 3 hours, even if your move only takes 2 hours or less. Similarly, on long distance moves, a carrier may have a 5,000 lbs minimum weight. Even if your shipment weighs 4,000 lbs you will be charged for at least 5,000 lbs.

Movers will charge separately for packing services on long distance moves. There also will be a charge for elevators and stairs past first floor. If it is impossible for mover to park the truck with in 75 feet of front door of your residence, a long carry charge will apply.

If you add items, or require/request extra services that were not in the estimate, the mover will provide a Change of Order for Service form, either at time of pickup, or before performing service, and, of course, you pay for additional services. Make sure to keep a copy of that form for your record. Remember, the mover can not charge more than the written estimate, unless there were new services performed that were not on the initial estimate.