You Should Know This: Your Rights and Responsibilities when Moving

Relocation is a complex process which consists of many various activities. You have to do a lot of things. When you hire a moving company, the last thing you want to hear is “It’s not our job” or “Damages are out of our responsibility”.  That’s why the first thing you should do is to learn “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. It was created by the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration. If your movers don’t give it to you before start working, it’s the first sight that they are not reliable guys. The booklet is rather voluminous. Many clients are lazy to read it. That’s why different disputable situations often occur.

In order to avoid troubles and make the best out of moving, we offer you to get acquainted with the main rights and responsibilities during moving.

10 Main Rules

1. You must get a written estimate. It may be binding or non-binding. All lines must be filled in.
2. The movers can’t weight your shipment without you. If they do it, your right is to ask to re-weight it.
3. The movers prepare an inventory of your belongings.
4. If you have possibilities to accept your shipment within the established frameworks, your belongings can be placed for storage. However, you should pay extra money.
5. You are able to change the date of delivery. The moving company may accept changes if it doesn’t affect other people’s delivery.
6. You have the right for shipment claim.
7. You are to refuse to sign the delivery receipt if it has unclear points.
8. It’s up to you to purchase separate third party cargo liability.
9. You may refuse to accept the landing bill if it includes less than 14 points.
10. You can choose between Full (Replacement) or Partial Value Protection.

10 Main Responsibilities

1. The movers can list all damages they notice on your items. It’s up to you to check if everything is correct.
2. You determine the date when the crew arrives. Doing this, you have to consider the so-called “delivery spread”.
3. You have to pay a minimum weight charge for transporting a shipment even if the actual weight of your stuff is less than defined.
4. You must notice if you are going to move high-value items.
5. It is you who is able to ascertain what kind of company you are dealing with.
6. You must read the bill before you accept it.
7. You are to inform the relocation company if something changed within your previous agreements.
8. You have to fill in claims in case of loss, damage, or delay.
9. You have to pay for the provided services.
10. If your acts cause the damage to your belongings during the relocation, it’s your liability.

In conclusion, it should be noticed once more time – you must always read the documents you sign. It’s your right to refuse to do it if you don’t like the provided conditions.