Licensed moving companies are carefully regulated in Washington, and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission specifies the protection options we can offer our customers.
While the basic option does not cover full replacement value in the event of damage, it does give you some protection at 60 cents per pound — and it costs you nothing. Options 2 and 3 provide replacement cost in the event of damage but incur an additional charge based on the declared value or weight of your goods. If you wish to purchase additional insurance please make a list of your goods, including the value of each item, prior to your move. In any case, rest assured that we work hard to ensure your move goes without a hitch.
The following is an excerpt from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Consumer Guide (Household Goods) which explains the three different protection options, in depth. Again, we don’t make up these rules, we just follow them.
LOSS AND DAMAGE PROTECTION
OPTION 1 – Basic Value Protection
Option 1 provides the minimum level of liability a mover may assume when moving your belongings. The mover’s maximum liability for the entire shipment is 60 cents per pound for the total shipment. Coverage: The mover will pay at 60 cents per pound for each lost or damaged article. Example: if a two-pound vase were broken, you would be paid $1.20.
Cost: You do not pay extra for this coverage.
OPTION 2 – Replacement Cost Coverage, with deductible
Option 2 provides full coverage, less a $300 deductible. The mover’s maximum liability is your declared value of the belongings, or $5.00 times the weight of the total shipment, whichever is greater (less the $300 deductible). Coverage: The mover will repair the damage to your satisfaction, pay you for the lost or damaged articles (less the $300 deductible), or replace the lost or damaged article for any amount over the $300 deductible. The $300 deductible applies to the entire shipment rather than each individual article.
Cost: The mover may charge minimum of 55 cents and a maximum of $1.15 per $100 of declared value. Declared value may not be less than $5.00 per pound of the total shipment weight.
OPTION 3 – Replacement Cost Coverage, with no deductible
Option 3 provides full value replacement coverage for your belongings. The mover’s maximum liability is your declared value, or $5.00 times the weight of the total shipment weight, whichever is greater. Coverage: The mover will repair damage to your satisfaction, reimburse you for the replacement cost, or replace lost or damaged articles.
Cost: The mover may charge a minimum of 66 cents and a maximum of $1.40 per $100 of your declared value. Declared value may not be less than $5.00 per pound of the total shipment weight.
Note: Option 2 and Option 3 do not apply to:
Antiques, fine arts, painting, statuary, and similar articles, that by their inherent nature cannot be replaced with new articles.
Articles whose age or history contributes substantially to their value. This includes, but is not limited to: memorabilia, souvenirs, and collector’s items.
Loss and Damage Exceptions
If the mover decides to reimburse you for, or replace, a lost or damaged item, the carrier may claim the item as it’s property. You may include the following items in a shipment however, the mover is not responsible for the condition or safe delivery of:
Coins, currency, deeds, notes, postage stamps, letters, drafts or valuable papers of any kind.
Jewelry, precious stones, or precious metals.
Items of extraordinary value.
Items requiring temperature control.
Household pets.
Live plants.
Perishable items.
Furniture or other items made of pressboard, particle board or similar pressed material.
The mover is not liable for the loss of or damage to any article for the following circumstances:
Breakage, when items are packed by you or your representative unless it can be proved that the breakage resulted from negligence by the mover in handling the articles.
Internal damage to electronics (radios, stereos, CD/DVD players, televisions, computers, printers, scanners, etc.) when no visible damage to the external packaging or contents exists or if the item was packed by you or your representative.
Loss or damage from insects, moths, vermin, mold, fungus or bacteria within your belongings or that develop therein due to conditions present before the mover picks up your belongings.
Loss or damage because the item was in an obvious state of disrepair at the time of shipment, provided that the mover noted the disrepair on the inventory form.
An act, omission, or order, or loss or damage resulting from your inclusion in the shipment of such articles as explosives, dangerous articles or dangerous goods.
Defective design of an article, including susceptibility to damage because of atmospheric conditions such as temperature or humidity changes.
Hostile or warlike action or use of any weapon of war (in time of peace or war), terrorism, insurrection, rebellion, revolution, civil war, usurped power, and action taken in hindering, combating, or defending against such occurrences: a) by any government or sovereign power, or by authority maintaining or using military forces; b) by military forces; or, c) by an agent of such government, power, authority or forces.
Seizure, confiscation or destruction under quarantine by order of any government or public authority.
Strikes, lockouts, labor disturbances, riots, civil commotions or the acts of any person or persons taking part in any such occurrence or disorder.
Acts of God.
Movers will not accept the following items for shipment:
Explosives;
Dangerous goods; or
Property liable to damage the mover’s equipment or other property.