Estimates: what you can be required to pay
| Estimate type | The most you must pay at delivery |
|---|---|
| Binding estimate | 100% of the binding estimate |
| Non-binding estimate | 110% of the non-binding estimate, if the mover tries to raise the price after loading |
Any additional charges must be billed to you within 30 days after delivery. If a mover refuses to deliver after you have paid 100% of a binding estimate or 110% of a non-binding estimate, the FMCSA treats that as a violation of federal regulations, and you should file a complaint.
Tip: compare estimates of the same type. A low non-binding estimate can end up costing more than a slightly higher binding one.
Liability: Full Value Protection vs. Released Value
Federal law requires interstate movers to offer two levels of liability. They are not insurance, but they decide how much the mover owes you if items are lost or damaged.
| Full Value Protection | Released Value Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| What the mover owes | Replacement value of lost or damaged goods across your whole shipment | No more than 60 cents per pound, per article |
| Extra cost | Yes; varies by mover, and deductibles may lower the price | No additional charge |
| When it applies | Automatically, unless you choose Released Value | Only if you sign a specific statement on the bill of lading agreeing to it |
The difference can be large. Under Released Value, a 25-pound television is worth at most $15 to the mover (60 cents × 25 pounds), whatever it actually cost.
Under Full Value Protection, the mover can repair a damaged item, replace it with a similar item, or pay the cost of repair or the current market replacement value. Movers may limit their liability for items worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry or fine china, unless you list them on the shipping documents. Ask for this policy in writing before you move.
After delivery
- You have nine months from delivery to file a written claim with your mover.
- Do not sign a delivery receipt that releases the mover from liability. Strike out that language before you sign.
- Moves within a single state may follow different state rules. Check with your state or local consumer affairs agency.