MOVING COMPANIES INFORMATION
The Texas Realtor magazine addressed several moving issues in a November 2006 article that I found interesting. It addresses questions that I have been asked before by my clients. This is an excerpt from this article.
SEVEN THINGS CLIENTS DON’T KNOW ABOUT MOVERS
1. Beware of low estimates- a very low estimate could be a sign that you are dealing with a “rogue” mover. In this scenario, a mover usually gives you an estimate over the phone, loads your goods onto a truck and refuses to deliver until you come up with a much higher than quoted fee.
2. THE MOVING COMPANY SHOULD MAKE A HOUSE CALL – to make sure you get an accurate estimate, require the company respresentative to come to your home to assess your move. Most legitimate companies will do this.
3. MOVERS MUST TELL YOU YOUR RIGHTS- your mover must give you an information pamphlet when you hire them. For moves within Texas, you will get “Your Rights and Responsibilities When you Move in Texas”. For an interstate move, you should receive “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”. Interstate is defined as your goods crossing state lines at any point, even if they start and end in the same state.
4. MOVERS MUST BE REGISTERED SOMEWHERE- companies that transport goods within Texas must be registered with the Texas Department of Transportation. Call TxDOT at 800-299-1700 to verify whether the mover is properly registered and if there are any complaints. Interstate movers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and you can check this through www.protectyourmove.org.
5. IT MAY BE BETTER TO PAY FOR PACKING – packing your own boxes may safe money but if the articles you break get damaged, it might be more difficult to establish your claim against the mover.
6. INSURANCE IS USUALLY PAID BY THE POUND- the default insurance that movers carry -released value insurance – covers only 60 cents per pound per article. Any additional liability for intrastate movers is not regulated by TxDOT but is usally available for a fee. Interstate movers must offer full value protection for an additional fee. This coverage although regulated by the FMCSA, varies in cost and level of protection.
7. REPORT ANY LOSS AND DAMAGE PROMPTLY – for intrastate moves you have 90 days from the delivery date to get your written claim into the mover’s hands. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may file for mediation through TxDOT. Federal regulations give you nine months from the date of delivery. Similarily, you can file for mediation for an unresolved claim through FMCSA.