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Protect Your Move

Even the most reliable and professional NYC moving company is not immune to accidents. Unfortunately, moving mishaps are prone to happen, and your belongings are not always in mint condition when arriving at their final destination. It is up to you to take the necessary precautions, and protect your move and your possessions as much as possible.

Know your moving right

To begin with, learn as much as you can about your rights as a consumer of moving services, and thoroughly prepare yourself for the upcoming moving and relocation process. Your mover should provide you with informative pamphlets which specify your moving rights. If you're moving locally within New York, you should be given the New York State Department of Transportation's "Summary of Information for Shippers of Household Goods".

For moves which take you outside New York, read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move". Read these documents carefully and make sure you properly comprehend your rights before you embark upon the moving process.

Valuation

Next, make sure your belongings are protected by purchasing adequate insurance. Moving companies do not offer insurance, but rather valuation. Valuation is the extent of the liability coverage offered by your mover, as agreed upon and specified in the bill of lading.
Your mover typically offers you three types of valuation to choose from. Your decision should be based on the quantity and value of the items you are shipping.

1. Declared Value: This type of valuation is based on the total weight of the items you are shipping. Your reimbursement is calculated according to the depreciated value of the damaged property.
2. Lump Sum Value or Assessed Value: An alternative to the former option, based on value rather than on weight. If you own priceless and valuable items, this type of valuation may suit your needs.
3. Full Value Protection: Reimburses you for the repair or replacement of any lost or damaged items.

Whichever valuation you opt for, make sure its terms and conditions are explicitly specified in your bill of lading.

Additional insurance options

Valuation is usually quite low, and it is therefore recommended to purchase additional insurance. Here, too, you have various options. Primarily, you can obtain the insurance directly from your mover. Another solution is your homeowners insurance, which, although offers only partial coverage of your personal property, does include coverage for breakage and theft in transit. Yet another supplementary option is the "Goods in Transit" insurance, which is available from an insurance agent or directly from your moving company.

Before filling moving claims

Once you decide exactly which items you intend to ship, you should prepare a detailed inventory list, which not only lists the items in question but also specifies their condition prior to shipment. It is also highly advisable to take pictures of your belongings, before they are loaded onto the moving van.

If any of these items are damaged while in transit, both the inventory and the photos may be of assistance if you decide to file a claim with your mover. Remember that moving claims must be filed within nine months after shipment delivery.

True, you shouldn't expect accidents to happen, but sometimes they do… Protect yourself and your most precious possessions. Contact us to find out more about possible insurance and valuation options.

We would like to thank Mover New York for their professional guidance while building this site.

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