www.protectyourmove.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

memories.

money.

move.

protect

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Understanding

Valuation and

Insurance Options

Protecting Your Household Good

What if Something Is Lost or Damage

Key Terms

■ Bill of Lading – The receipt for your household

goods and the contract for their transportation.

■ Extraordinary Value or High Value Article –

An article of high or extraordinary value is any

item whose value exceeds $100 per pound.

■ Hazardous Materials – Explosives, compressed

gases, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizers,

poisons, corrosives 

and radioactive 

materials.

Many common 

household items 

are considered 

hazardous materials.

These include nail polish 

remover, paints, paint thinners,

lighter fluid, gasoline, propane cylinders, and

automotive repair and maintenance chemicals.

■ Intrastate Move – A move in which goods are

transported from one point to another within

the same State; no State borders are crossed.

■ Interstate Move – A move in which goods are

transported from one State to another.

■ Tariff – A list of rules, regulations, available

services and resulting charges. Each mover

publishes its own tariffs and these must be

provided to you upon request.

■ Valuation – The designated dollar value of your

shipment.

Know your rights 

and responsibilities.

Protect Your Memories. Your Money. Your Move.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

1-800-832-5660 • TTY: 1-800-877-8339

www.protectyourmove.gov

Publication No: FMCSA-ESO-06-0010

Keep in Mind ...

Some of your actions may limit your mover’s

liability. These include:

■ Packing perishable, dangerous or hazardous

materials in your household goods without

your mover’s knowledge.

■ Packing your own boxes. You may consider

packing your own household goods articles to

reduce your costs, but if the articles you pack

are damaged, it may be more difficult to

establish your claim against the mover for the

boxes you pack.

■ Choosing Released Value coverage when your

household goods are valued at more than 60

cents per pound per article.

■ Failing to notify your mover in writing about

articles of extraordinary value.

Do not sign a delivery receipt for your household

goods if it contains any language about releasing

or discharging your mover or its agents from

liability. By law, you have nine (9) months to file a

written claim. Strike out this kind of language or

refuse delivery until a proper receipt is provided.

Report loss and damage promptly. You have nine

(9) months following either the date of delivery, or

the date on which the shipment should have been

delivered, to file a written claim.

Interstate movers are required to participate in a

dispute resolution or arbitration program to

address your loss and damage claims. If your

mover does not provide you with information on its

program, ask for it – movers are required to provide

a concise, easy-to-read summary.
your belongings. Unless you select the alternative

level of liability described below – Released Value –

your mover will transport your shipment under the

Full Value Protection level of liability. If any article is

lost, destroyed or damaged while in your mover’s

custody, your mover will, at its discretion, offer to do

one (1) of the following for each item:

■ Repair the item;

■ Replace with a similar item; or 

■ Make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair

or the current market replacement value.

Under this option, movers are permitted to limit their

liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary

value, unless you specifically list these

articles on the shipping documents.

An article of extraordinary value

is any item whose value exceeds

$100 per pound (i.e., jewelry,

silverware, china, furs, antiques,

etc.). Ask your mover for a

written explanation of this

limitation before your move.

The exact cost for Full Value

Protection varies by mover and may

be subject to various deductible levels of

liability that may reduce your cost. Ask your mover

for written details of their Full Value Protection plan.

(2) Released Value

The most economical protection available is

Released Value, since it is offered at no additional

charge. However, the protection is minimal. Under

this option, the mover assumes liability for no more

than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if

your mover lost or damaged a 10-pound stereo

component valued at $1,000, you would only receive

$6.00 in compensation (60 cents x 10 pounds).

There is no

additional charge

for Released

Value.

However, you

must sign a

specific

statement on the bill of lading or contract agreeing

to it. But remember, it compensates you according

to the weight of the item, not its actual value.

And, if you do not select Released Value, your

Are you moving?

There’s a lot at stake when you move. There’s the

money you’ll spend. The memories you’re taking

from one place to another. And, your treasured

possessions –

furniture, family

pictures and

children’s toys.

When you move,

your personal

property

(including

valuables) is

loaded onto a

moving truck.

And while most

moves go smoothly, accidents do happen and some

items may be lost or damaged during shipment.

Your mover is liable for the value of the goods you

ask them to transport. There are, however, different

levels of liability. The level you choose will determine

the type and amount of reimbursement you will

receive if an item is lost or damaged. Be aware of the

various types of protection available

and the charges for each option.

This brochure will serve as a tool to

assist you in making the right

choice for you.

The two different levels of liability

movers are required to provide are

explained below and in Your Rights

and Responsibilities When You Move,

a booklet movers are required by

Federal regulations to provide to interstate moving

customers. Be sure to read this information carefully

and follow the instructions provided to declare a

value on your shipment.

What are your options?

Under Federal law, interstate movers must offer two

different liability options referred to as valuation

coverage: (1) Full Value Protection and (2) Released Value.

(1) Full Value Protection

Under Full Value Protection, your mover is liable for

the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in

your entire shipment. This is the more

comprehensive plan available for the protection of

shipment will automatically be transported at t

Full Value Protection level of liability and you

will be assessed the applicable charge.

Full Value Protection and Released Value are not

insurance policies governed by State insurance law

instead, they are Federal contractual tariff levels o

liability authorized under Released Rates Orders 

the Surface Transportation Board of the U.S.

Department of Transportation.

Third-Party Insurance

If you select Released Value, some movers may

also offer to sell or obtain for you separate liabi

insurance. The cost of this insurance is not

included in the basic move and must be purcha

separately by you. This is not valuation coverag

governed by Federal law – it is optional insuran

regulated by State law.

If you purchase this coverage, the mover remains

liable for the amount up to 60 cents per pound per

article; but the

rest of the loss is

recoverable from

the insurance

company up to

the amount of

insurance you

purchased. Your

mover is required

to issue the policy

or other written

record of the

purchase and

provide you with

a copy at the time

of purchase.

You also have 

the option of

purchasing

insurance from a

third-party insurance company. Before purchasin

insurance, check your homeowner’s insurance pol

to see if you’re already covered.

Unless you select Released

Value, your mover will

automatically transport your

shipment under the Full Value

Protection level of liability.

If you’re moving

within your State ...

Each State may have its

own rules and regulation

governing moves within

the State. Check with

your State, county or loc

consumer affairs agency

or State moving

association if you’re

moving to a new locatio

within the same State.