By Relocation.com Staff
How your move is regulated depends on whether you're moving to Columbus from another
city in Ohio, or you're moving to Columbus from another state.
If you're moving to Columbus from another state, the move is overseen by the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is a part of the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Make sure the moving company you select has been given a USDOT
number, is registered with FMCSA to transport household goods between states, and
has the proper level of insurance.
You can do that by visiting www.protectyourmove.gov, or
calling FMCSA at (202) 366-9805 for licensing and (202) 385-2423 for insurance. (This article
can take you step by step through
how
to check out a moving company on the FMCSA website.)
Also check with the Better Business Bureau to
ensure the company doesn't have a long history of unresolved complaints.
Moving to Columbus From Another Ohio City
If you're moving within Ohio, you have important rights guaranteed by state
law and enforced by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
-- the information contained in this story comes from PUCO.
Columbus
moving companies must register with the PUCO, give cost estimates, and provide
cargo insurance. Contact PUCO to verify a mover's license and insurance and check
any complaints that may have been filed.
Ask your mover for "Moving in Ohio" brochure, which is prepared by PUCO to explain
your options for Ohio intrastate moves.
Options on interstate moves are similar, but amounts differ. The time to make the decision
about this coverage is before your move begins.
Estimates
When selecting Columbus movers, you
will want the company to tell you how much it will cost to move you. This estimate must be in
writing unless your move is under $500 or less or if it's scheduled within 5 days. Be sure to
read your estimate carefully, and don't assume something is included in the estimate if it
is not written there.
You have three options for estimates:
Binding: The final cost must be the amount on the estimate.
Nonbinding: The final cost may be more or less than the estimate.
Guaranteed-not-to-exceed: The cost must be at or lower than the amount contained in the estimate.
Whichever you get, be sure you obtain estimates from at least 3 moving companies who do
a visual inspect of the items to be moved -- that's the only way to get a true comparison
of movers.
Bill of Lading
A bill of lading will be issued as well as an estimate. A bill of lading is
like a receipt that acknowledges the mover has taken possession of your goods to
be moved.
All estimates should be attached to the bill of lading. You may request an
inventory of your household goods when the moving company is loading them, but
a moving company may charge an additional fee for such service.
Lost or Damaged Goods
All movers are responsible for the value of the goods that are transported. As a
result, companies must have insurance in an amount equal to the declared value
of your shipment. Movers have the option of providing you with one of
three levels of insurance:
Minimal reimbursement: You get 60 cents per pound for anything lost or damaged during the move.
-
Depreciated value: You get the current value of your goods that you previously declared
or $2.25 per pound, whichever is greater. (This is the coverage you get if you do not choose a
different option.)
Replacement value: you are reimbursed for the replacement value you declared previously or $4.00 per pound, whichever is greater.
There will be a statement on the estimate that you will be required to initialize about the
level of coverage you choose.
Some moving companies might give only depreciated value coverage.
You may purchase moving insurance separately, and you should check your homeowners
policy to see if you have coverage that way.
A moving company may also reserve the right to repair any damaged items prior to
replacing them regardless of the level of coverage you selected, but this must be
stated in your written estimate.
Claims
If your stuff is damaged, file a written claim for loss or damage with your moving
company. The moving company must acknowledge receipt of your claim, in writing, within
15 days after they receive it. The moving company must then offer you a settlement, in
writing, within 60 days of receiving the claim. The time you have to file a claim is
in your estimate.
If you're unable to resolve the dispute, call the PUCO at (800) 686-PUCO (7826)
or file a complaint online.
For an interstate move, FMCSA has no authority to resolve claims. You can file a
complaint against the moving company by calling FMCSA's 24-hour toll-free hotline
at (888) 368-7238, or go to FMCSA's Web site. This complaint may spark a Federal
enforcement investigation against the mover.
