The valuation of goods being trucked in any transfer of a person, family, or business from Colorado Springs to some other location – or from anywhere to anywhere – is strongly regulated by the federal government.
Yes, in most cases, your moving company is legally liable for any loss or destruction of your belongings at any time during the haul. It’s also liable for loss and damage while its crews are caring for your items in fulfillment of any other Colorado Springs moving services you chose. Such services should be noted on the bill of lading: packing, unpacking, disassembly and reassembly, for example.
That said, there are limits to your moving company’s liability. Those limits are determined by the federal Surface Transportation Board’s Released Rates Order. You can look at a current copy of it here.
The critical thing is, know what options are accessible to you for the safeguarding of your belongings. And know your Colorado Springs moving company. Just because a mover informs you his company is “fully insured and bonded” is no assurance that your goods themselves are automatically covered. Also, your local mover being related to a preeminent national van line is no promise that you’re protected either. In both events, you might find it necessary to purchase added third-party liability insurance. Your mover might offer to sell it to you, but he has no legal obligation to do that. Ask questions when you first talk in order to learn exactly what’s what.
Keep this in mind when you’re checking out your various avenues here in Colorado Springs: Two different degrees of moving-company liability are relevant to interstate moves – Full Replacement-Value Protection and Waiver of Full Replacement-Value Protection, or Released Value.
Six dollars per pound times the total weight of your shipment is the minimum level for apprising its Full Replacement Value. Some movers set the minimum value higher. Or you yourself could declare a higher value – if you’re not {{opposed to paying more. No matter what valuation you and your mover mutually consent to, it has to be included in your mover’s tariff. Note also that movers are authorized to limit their Full Replacement-Value liability for loss or damage of belongings valued exceedingly high. Those would be possessions valued at $100 or more per pound, such as jewelry, antiques, silverware, china, oriental rugs, and the like. Seek an explanation of all this from your mover. Ultimately, though, it falls on your shoulders to make the appropriate declaration.
If you choose to go with a Waiver of Full Replacement-Value Protection, or Released Value, you will, of course, get minimal liability protection. But it won’t cost you anything. What this degree of protection does is limit your mover’s liability to no more than 60 cents per pound, per article. Clearly, that’s not going to provide you with enough of a reimbursement to replace any piece valued at more than 60 cents per pound! Things like stereo equipment, gym equipment, computer hardware, and computer software are therefore significantly more at risk. That’s something to mull over before you sign a contract!
You might, though, have one more option: your current homeowner’s policy. Go over it and consult with your insurance agent to discover if there’s anything in it regarding coverage of belongings during a relocation. If so, you might find the minimum level of mover liability coverage – Released Value – satisfactory.
Just make sure you’re onboard with what measure of protection your moving company is including in his quote: Full Protection or Released Value. That way, there won’t be any surprises with your move – or at least no[[ne that you haven’t thing that’ll throw you into a loop!
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