It can be stressful to move everything you own; from the pens and post-its in your junk drawer to your most valued possessions. Many people worry about the worst that could happen– an irreplaceable item getting damaged. At Master Movers, we share your concern for protecting all of the personal and household items you hold dear.
Below we’ll go over the options we offer for safeguarding your belongings and other steps you can take to insure your move.
Besides the legal end of things, Master Movers wants to be your movers for life. Things may change over your lifetime, so it is a great idea to review your choices every now and again. All household goods movers are liable for the damage or loss they cause. You get to choose the level of coverage based on your own personal preference or need. Your valuation options include:
Option 1: Released Value Protection
This option comes at no extra charge. We will pay up to 60 cents per pound per article for any lost or damaged item. For example, you would receive a maximum of $30.00 for the loss of a 50-pound table ($.60 x 50 lbs.). This is a standard coverage no matter where your move is located.
Option 2: Replacement Cost Protection
Under replacement cost protection you can declare a value $10,000 or more. This value should reflect the value of the goods that we are transporting. If you have a homeowners or renters policy, and we are transporting most/all of your things, the amounts should be similar. The amount would never be less than $6.00 per pound (based on the national average of 7 pounds per cubic foot). If the amount you declare is lower than the calculation per cubic foot, the greater figure of the two will be used to determine the amount you will pay for this coverage. If you determine a value that is not representative of the value of the goods we are carrying, your coverage may fall short as well. Depreciation for the age of the item will not apply when settling any claim. Ask us if a deductible is available for your move; rules and regulations vary.
If you are moving long distance, your shipment will be weighed to obtain these figures. For local moves on the other hand, scaled weights are not usually obtained and the national average will be used for this computation. The national average is 7 pounds per cubic foot of space the load occupies.
When choosing Replacement Cost Protection, we will always inventory your goods for the move (even for a local move) to make sure that the items are in the same condition when we deliver them as they were when at origin. Clear and concise documentation is important to keep our relationship working smoothly for life.
Also, if you have any “ready to assemble” furniture (which would include most things from Ikea) visit Oregon.gov to better understand the limitations of coverage no matter which coverage option you choose.
Additional Ways to Get Coverage
There’s a chance that your homeowners insurance coverage includes moving protection. Be sure to ask your agent whether your coverage applies when your things are moved by a for-hire carrier. If not, there are insurers that offer supplemental coverage for the transportation of household goods.
Be sure to indicate your chosen protection option on the bill of lading before the crew begins. If this section is left unchecked, the released value protection will be used by default.
More questions about our valuation process? Do you have a single piece that needs special care and coverage? Contact us today at 503-762-1288 or fill out our contact form.