Moving Checklist

Pre-Move Preparation

1. Obtain the pamphlet describing your rights and responsibilities from the moving company.

2. Ask the people closest to you for advice about the moving company.

3. Consult with the Better Business Bureau about the moving company.

4. See if the moving company will responsible if any of your items are damaged.

5. Ask whether the moving company has set guidelines for handling disputes.

6. Get cost estimates from a minimum of 3 moving companies, and compare their services as well.

7. Verify if the moving company has been registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), and also find out it if has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number.

8. Document the times for both pickup and delivery of your items.

9. Get contact information from the moving company so that you know who to call before, during, and after the move.

10. Insure your items in case of damage or loss of your belongings.

On the Day of the Move

1. Make sure that you are present the entire time so that you can direct the movers and answer questions if needed.

2. Watch the movers as they go over the list of your possessions and clear up any confusion about the condition of the items to be moved.

3. Look over all documents carefully prior to signing them.

4. Hold onto the bill of lading until your items are finally delivered to you, all expenses are paid, and all disputes have been settled.

5. Scan your residence one last time before the movers depart to ensure that nothing has been left unpacked.

6. Write down the directions to your new residence and supply this to the driver.

7. Give the driver and the moving company details on how to contact you while your items are in transport.

On the Day of Delivery

1. Make sure that you are present, once again, to provide directions and answer questions.

2. Pay the driver the amount determined in your agreement with the moving company before anything gets moved.

3. Watch the movers as they unload and unpack your belongings.

4. List any items that were damaged in transit before placing your signature on any documents.

Kittens thrown from moving truck – animal cruelty

By NewsChief.com

LAKELAND – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an animal cruelty case that reportedly involved kittens being thrown from a moving truck.

The Sheriff’s Office was notified about the incident in north Lakeland at approximately 9:44 a.m. today, sheriff’s spokeswoman Donna Wood said.

Witnesses reported that the driver of a white GMC pickup truck had run over a kitten while traveling toward U.S. Highway 98. The witnesses followed the truck and saw another kitten being thrown from the passenger-side window, Wood said.

The witnesses followed the truck to the Tractor Farm Supply store on U.S. 98 and confronted the driver about what they had witnessed.

When deputies arrived, they found one dead kitten alongside the road on Rockridge Road, Wood said. A second kitten was found alive and has been transported to the sheriff’s Animal Control Section for medical evaluation. A third kitten is missing.

Once medically cleared, the surviving kitten will be placed for adoption, Wood said.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver of the truck as David Carl Arthur, 67, of 11221 Rockridge Road, Lakeland. Arthur was the only occupant of the truck, Wood said.

Inside the truck, she said, deputies found a sign that read, “Free Kittens – 1 Mile.”

Arthur complained of shortness of breath and chest pains, Wood said. Emergency medical personnel took him to Lakeland Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The investigation is ongoing, but Wood said Arthur faces three charges of animal cruelty.

Car Shipping – Know How

Shipping a car across the nation or even internationally is not an easy matter. Unlike mailing a letter there is a lot at stake. After all, a car is not only transportation to some but it can mean the ability to go to work or obtaining one’s essentials. This is a prime reason why, when shipping a car, you should choose your auto shipper confidently and without any second thoughts. The company you choose will be entrusted with the care and timely delivery of your car. To transport your car successfully, follow the steps below:

Preparing Your Car for it’s Journey-

1. Before you entrust your car to any transporting company you should make sure your car is in good, basic condition. It should be washed and cleaned thoroughly, ready for any inspection the company or state may require.

2. Remember to remove all of your belongings from the car –this includes accessories or any additional parts, such as the antenna or fog lights.

3. Double check the battery and radiator. The battery shouldn’t have any leaks and you should be careful to have anything connected to it that may drain its power, like an alarm system.

4. Ensure that the radiator has antifreeze. Lastly, leave the gas tank only a quarter full.

Leaving Your Car with the Auto Shipper-

When planning to hand your car over the shipping company, plan ahead. Like when moving or traveling, you should keep your schedule open and flexible, ready for any possible issues that may arise. Upon handing the car over to the company, make sure that you obtain the bill of lading. This document is of utmost importance, it should be signed by both yourself and the auto shipper. The bill will have a description of the condition the car was received in, and because of this, will allow you to file a claim should any discrepancies occur during the transport of the car. If a claim does need be made, file it within two weeks of the car’s delivery, but remember to pay the company in full as agreed until the claim is resolved.

Other Things to Consider-

1. Educate yourself with the auto shippers’ terms and insurance policies. It would be best to make sure that your car is properly insured.

2. Be aware, that although companies may offer services like pick up and delivery, this may not always occur. Theses services may be affected by any safety laws or inspections the DOT imposes on auto shipping companies.

3. Be prepared to make any deposit or payment in advance of any service. Preferably, ask ahead so that you are not surprised.

4. There are two options for car delivery: door-to-door or terminal delivery. If door-to-door is not available for you specific needs you can always choose to have the car shipped to a terminal delivery near you.

Valuation vs. insurance

It is a Federal Law that all interstate moving companies must offer a customer at least two liability options which are referred to as valuation coverage. The two different options are called (1) Full Value Protection and (2) Released Value.

(1) Full Value Protection

Unless you specifically ask for the other coverage option, the Released Value option, most moving companies will give you Full Value Protection. This is considered the more comprehensive option in which the moving company is responsible for the replacement value of any items that have been damaged, broken or lost. Should this happen, the movers will either simply repair the item, replace it with a similar item, or reimburse you for the cost to repair the item or the market value cost to replace it.

The Full Value Protection plan allows the moving company to adjust their liability for items of exceptionally high value unless the customer specifically lists these items on the shipping documents. Articles whose value is over $100 per pound are considered high value items. Some examples of these items are jewelry, antiques, china, furs, etc. It is recommended that you always ask for a written copy of the movers’ policy regarding high value items before hiring them.

Full Value Protection plans’ costs can vary depending on whether or not the mover offers different levels of deductibles. Again, ask your movers for written details on the cost for this particular plan.

(2) Released Value

Because it is offered at no additional cost, it may be tempting to choose this plan. But, keep in mind that this really provides no real coverage should something happen to your item(s). The way the Released Value plan works is this: the mover will not reimburse you for more than $0.60 per pound per item. So, for example, if you had a 10-pound antique statue worth $1,000.00 that was damaged by the movers, they would only have to give you $6.00 as compensation.

Keep in mind that with this plan, you are essentially insuring your items by their weight, not their value. There is no fee for the Release Value plan, but you will need to sign the contract or shipping documentation to confirm this as your plan choice, otherwise the moving company will default to the Full Protection Plan and you will be charged accordingly.

Remember that neither of these insurance options are controlled by State insurance laws. They are Federal contractual tariff plans authorized under Release Rates Orders of the Surface Transportation Board of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Third Party Insurance

If you choose the Released Value protection plan, the moving company may offer to sell you or help you obtain additional insurance through a third party. This insurance is not included in the basic plan and you would be responsible to purchase it separately. Third party insurances are governed by State law, not Federal law like the above mentioned valuation options. If you opt to purchase separate coverage from a third party, you are still entitled to receive the $0.60 per pound per item under the Release Value plan, but you would receive the rest of your reimbursement from the third party insurance company for up to the amount of insurance you purchased. If you hire a third party insurance policy through the moving company, they legally must provide you with a receipt or confirmation at the time of purchase.

You are also entitled to purchase additional insurance on your own. Before doing so, you may want to check into your homeowner’s policy as you may be covered during a move.

Always check with your state, county or local consumers affairs agencies or state moving association if you are moving within your current state as rules and regulations regarding moves aren’t always the same in every jurisdiction.

Another thing to note is that there are some things you can do to make sure any claims won’t be denied in the unfortunate event of a loss or breakage of any of your possessions:

-Do not pack perishables or hazardous materials without the movers’ consent.

-If you decide to do your own packing to save money, keep in mind that if something breaks, you may not be able to prove that the mover caused the damage. They may turn down your claim saying the items weren’t packaged correctly.

-Do not choose the Released Value protection plan if your possessions are valued at more than $0.60 per pound.

-Do not forget to notify the movers, or indicate on the bill of lading, any items of high value.

Read Additional information related to this topic:

Moving Insurance Into the 21st Century: NAIFA Launches New … – NAIFA supports insurance regulatory reform and modernization that helps American families and businesses achieve financial security.

NCOIL recoils from insurance bill moving through Congress – The National Conference of Insurance Legislators is pleading for help from governors and state attorneys general to defeat insurance legislation that is moving through Congress that would pre-empt some state insurance powers.

 

Tariff Requirements

Interstate movers must make their rates and charges public according to Federal guidelines. The United States Department of Transportation denotes a tariff code that will specify the service provided, the conditions of the services, and the prices to be charged the customer. Each moving company can determine its own rates and charges, but it must publish its tariff.

Tariffs should be in compliance with federal laws and regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ruled shipment documentation must be prepared according to predetermined and written guidelines. Shipments must be weighed and transported as noted in the regulations. Charges too must be collected according to specifications. The Surface Transportation Board will set tariff requirements for all household goods to be carried. A prescribed level of liability is also required for interstate household goods and shipments.

Federal Tariff Laws and Regulations
STB Tariff Regulations 49CFR1310
FMCSA Claims and Salvage 49CFR370
FMCSA Overcharges 49CFR378
FMCSA SAFTEA-LU Consumer provisions

The AMSA urges its members to seek legal counsel or advice in regard to individual tariff decisions. With myriad and complex household goods under regulation and with potential legal trouble for failure to comply, members should beware of failure to meet the guidelines. One recommendation states how members may benefit from a third-party tariff publisher to do this work. AMSA will not endorse any particular firm for this purpose.

Time to Move

As the housing market softens across the country, now is the time to relocate. National Relocation is a great tool to assist you in your move. With this tool, you can research schools and neighborhoods, find a realtor, get multiple quotes from movers, and find home inspectors, as well as many other services you may need when relocating. You can also research our huge inventory of foreclosures and get quotes for mortgages. With National Relocation, you can search for rentals, both houses and apartments, if you’re not quite sure you want to purchase a home at this particular time. You can find other information to assist you in your move, including information on insurance agents for your home, auto, life, and other insurance needs.

Space Estimator Widget

New widget we came up with will estimate the space of truck for your move

One Way Truck Rental

10 Things to know about One Way Truck Rental Services:

1. One-way truck rentals provide logistic moving and relocation services.

2. Pick up the truck at one rental location and return it at another.

3. The one-way moving truck rentals cost more than round-trip rentals. Price varies from one company to another.

4. One-way moving truck rentals cost more during the weekends as compared to rentals during weekdays. End of the month rentals are more expensive than middle of the month.

5. Moving pick season is during summer school break, therefore, it is difficult to find a one-way moving truck at a reasonable cost during peak season

6. The cost of one-way rentals are largely influenced by the availability of trucks at the place where the customer is going to pick it up, and the demand for trucks where the truck has to be dropped off (destination).

7. Most companies insist on a deposit before hand for a secured and better service. Some companies accept only cash deposits; but most accept credit cards.

8. Before you go for a one-way rental service, you must ensure that you have a valid driver’s license.

9. If it is a one way moving truck, you can afford to tow your car and ride together with the driver. But that might not be possible for long journeys.

10. Although One-Way truck rentals are expensive; they provide amazing service in a least amount of time. They also take full responsibility of the items being transported and do not tamper with the goods at all which makes this service highly secure and trustworthy

Moving Truck rental

A truck is a large vehicle used for transporting bulk goods, materials, or equipment. East Coast. West Coast. Uptown. Downtown. Wherever you want to go, just load your stuff in and, with over millions of vehicles and unlimited number of locations, you can always count on getting the truck you need and the service you deserve. They are basically divided into 2 categories- Household truck rentals and Business truck rentals. Household truck rentals: Moving in and out of a place is not a very easy job. It’s like shifting the whole house from one place to another. Trucks are the most sought-after vehicles for this purpose. They are clean, safe, meticulously maintained and are available in all sizes backed by the best support network in the industry. The transportation companies on a reasonable cost, which is fixed as per the load and the distance to be travelled, deploy the household rental trucks. The cost covers the loading and the transportation. Business truck rentals, the transportation of readymade goods is done over a large scale. These goods are not only to be distributed in the region where it is manufactured, but also to be deployed across many cities and countries. Cross-country transportation means is the ship, but ultimately where the goods are to be sold, in the markets, they are to be deported with the help of trucks. The trucks used for the transportation of such goods are solely for this purpose only. They run on a fixed route since they have to pick up the goods from the cargo and deport it to the markets, the customers do not directly approach the truck drivers, but instead they give their contracts to the transportation company. The transportation companies get hold of the truck drivers and are responsible for any damage or accident caused by the truck. The cost of running these trucks is very reasonable. Primary Liability Insurance coverage protects the truck from damage or injuries to other people as a result of a truck accident. Pricing is dependent on region, driving records, and history of the trucking operation.

Rental Trucks

Since inception of time and virtually since human race began its existence on this earth, needs of transportation of various forms have been in existence. It could have been transportation of goods, humans or even livestock, there has always been a demand and the laws of economics have pressurized the society for an incessant drive to evolve and invent various modes of transportation like for instance rental trucks . It may have started with the most primitive methods of loading goods or even riding on the back of animals, but human race has come a long way and today we have various state of the art methods available to us. Trading between various countries through water has been in existence right from days of Columbus or even earlier but transportation of goods on land has been very cumbersome and has posed a combative posture. Invention of automobiles in the early 1920 was a great break through for transportation on land, which truncated the whole ideology of carrying goods from one place to another. Primitive trucks were driven by steam and could carry a very limited load. It was only during the World War 2 when invention of diesel engine was made use of in carrying goods in a commercial way. Later in the century insatiable hunger for transportation of goods by trucks created a multi billion-dollar industry, and today we have come a long way from the primitive horse pulled wagons to the state of the art and various models and types of trucks, which can carry virtually any kind of goods. Since the invention of transportation of goods in commercial way, the business has proved to be very glamorous. The graph of economies of countries can go up or down but the need to transport of good never ends. It pays well and above all provides jobs for various kinds of people. The drivers who are responsible for driving the vehicles, the technicians who provide support in terms of maintenance, the loaders who are involved in loading and off loading the goods. In short it an industry, which in-houses and makes use of various abilities. While we enlist the glamor of this business it also has its dark side. Commercial pressures and competition has caused huge competitiveness in the business.

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