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Licensing: For INTRASTATE Moving be sure the moving company being considered is licensed to operate in the county where the move will be performed (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties each have their own moving company licensing and regulations) and
with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture Consumer Services.
For INTERSTATE Moving you may contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) by calling (202) 366-9805 for licensing and (202) 385-2423 for insurance or you may visit they website at www.protectyourmove.gov
Written Estimates: Obtain written estimates from at least three licensed moving companies. Insist that the moving company come to your place to see your household goods before giving a written estimate. Phone estimates are of little value and we discourage
consumers from even requesting them of a moving company. The written estimate prepared by the moving company should include all the costs for packing and transporting your goods. It is your responsibility to fully disclose everything that is to be moved. Make sure you tell the mover if elevators or stairways are present at the old or new site.
Packing: Determine who will do the packing of boxes. The cost of the move will increase when the moving company packs your goods in boxes. Moving companies will not normally take responsibility for items broken in boxes they do not pack.
Valuation Coverage: Ask your moving company about Valuation Coverage. Unless you purchase additional Valuation Coverage (or insurance), the moving company is only obligated to reimburse or pay you sixty cents ($.60) for every pound of any item that is lost or damaged in transit. For example: If you own a television
set valued at $500 that weighs 10 pounds and it is damaged, the moving company is only obligated to pay you sixty-cents per pound or a total of $6. If you purchase additional Valuation Coverage (similar to insurance) insist that the moving company provide you with a complete written explanation of what is covered and how a damage claim will be processed. Determine who will decide the value of damaged or lost items. Many moving companies have a deductible for additional Valuation Coverage. If the deductible was $250 and you had damage of $300, you would only be eligible to receive $50 from the moving company. Check with your homeowner's insurance agent to see if your policy will cover repair and replacement of goods while being transported by a moving company.
Bill of Lading/Contract: Prior to doing any work, your moving company MUST provide a Bill of Lading (or written contract). If the move is totally within Palm Beach County your mover must also provide you with a Palm Beach County Disclosure Form. Both the Bill of Lading/Contract and the Disclosure Form must be signed by you AND the moving company representative. Take your time and read everything carefully. Ask questions and understand what you are signing. The total/bottom line cost and the specific delivery date are required to be clearly stated on the contract for your review and approval.
Unloading: The total amount you are required to pay should be no more than the written estimate (unless you did not meet your obligations- i.e., failed to fully disclose all the goods being moved, failed to reserve the freight elevator, etc.). Under Florida State Law 507, the moving company must unload your goods at the final destination point if you have paid the amount shown on the written estimate or Bill of Lading. It is a felony criminal offense for a moving company to refuse to unload the household goods if the amount of the estimate/Bill of Lading has been paid by the consumer. The moving company may legally refuse to unload your household goods if you do not pay the estimate/Bill of Lading amount. In such instances, the moving company is required to inform you where the goods are being
stored. You will likely also be charged an additional amount for storage.
Truck Signage: In PALM BEACH COUNTY when the moving vehicles arrives to pick-up your goods, be sure each truck has the name of the company, address, phone number and Palm Beach County moving
license number (it is preceded with PBC#) as signage on the vehicle. Each vehicle is also required to have a current year Consumer Affairs decal on the windshield.
Rental Trucks: Some moving companies on occasion must use rental trucks. If your company is using an obviously rented vehicle, look for a magnetic sign on the truck fully identifying the company and a Palm Beach County temporary use decal on that magnetic sign. The decal is a good indication and means the company planned for the possibility of using a rental vehicle.
Last Minutes Changes: If anything changes on moving day and additional charges are required, an addendum to your Bill of Lading should be completed. Your signature of approval is required on any changes.
Forms of Payment: Moving companies are required to accept two of the following forms of payment for services rendered:
1. Cash - which includes a cashier's check, money order or traveler's checks
2. Personal Check - which shows your name and address
3. Credit Card - which must include VISA or MasterCard
Damage: If your household goods are lost or damaged in the move, it is your responsibility to give written notification to the moving company within 30 days after delivery of your household goods that you wish to make a claim for compensation of lost or damaged goods. Normally, the moving company must notify you within 30 days of action that will be taken. For a justifiable reason, the moving company can take up to 90 days to provide a written plan/response for resolving the claim.
The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.