Glossary Of Self Storage Moving Terms

Additional Services

Added Services such as packing or unpacking that you request to be performed or that are necessary to be performed because of the moving company requirements or other special circumstances. Charges for these services are in addition to the regular transportation charges.

Advanced Charges

Charges for services performed by a third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to the charges on your Bill of Lading.

Agent

A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company. For example: Allied Van Lines Agent, Bekins Van Lines Agent, United Van Lines Agent or Atlas Van Lines Agent.

AMSA Certified Mover

An interstate carrier that transports your household goods shipment under its own operating authority, granted by the Federal Highway Administration. AMSA Certified Movers subscribe to the AMSA Code of Conduct and have pledged to conduct their business in the most efficient and professional manner possible.

AMSA Members

Movers that are a part of the American Moving and Storage Association. The association provides certification to moving companies that meet its requirements.

Appliance

The cost of a complete disconnect of an appliance at the originating residence and a reconnect of the appliance at the new residence. Covered appliances include washers, dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Certain movers charge a surcharge for this service while others simply charge the amount of time the actual service takes. If a particular mover does not perform this service or contracts with a third party, the field is marked "NA".

Appliance Dolly

Supplied by self-service movers to help you load and unload large items like appliances and oversized furniture.

Assessed Value Coverage

This specifies how much money per $1,000 of assessed value you will need to pay to cover your household items to their fully assessed value. Purchasing this protection requires that a cash value be assigned to the items you will be moving. If a deductible is applied, that value is stated next to the cost-per-$1,000 figure. For example, 8.00/100 means that the consumer must pay $8.00 per $1,000 of assessed value to cover the load against loss, and the first $100 of damage is not covered. Some valuation policies are calculated on a sliding scale, where the price per $1,000 of coverage will vary depending upon the total amount of coverage. In such cases, carriers are requested to quote valuation prices based on $25,000 of coverage.

Auto Transport

For car shipping you need to locate automobile movers. Click here: Auto Transport for car shipping quotes.

Bill of Lading

This is the contract between the mover and the customer. It also acts as a receipt. It is important to understand everything on the bill of lading before you sign it.

Binding Estimate

The mover quotes a flat price based upon a given inventory. No matter how long the job takes, the flat price is always paid. It is given only when an onsite estimate is performed.

Carrier

The company providing transportation of your household goods.

Certified Mover

An interstate carrier that transports your household goods shipment under its own operating authority, granted by the Federal Highway Administration. AMSA Certified Movers subscribe to the AMSA Code of Conduct and have pledged to conduct their business in the most efficient and professional manner possible.

C.O.D.

Cash on delivery - This is when payment is required at the time of delivery. Make sure to ask the mover if your payment should be in cash, cashier's check, money order, credit card or personal check.

Comments

Any additional information about a listed company.

Cost of Move

How much the move will cost, not including the various extra charges and insurance. All cost estimates are calculated based on information obtained from the listed moving companies during a signup interview. Although every effort is made to gather the most accurate information, customers should be aware of the fact that many factors affect the cost of a move. Make sure to ask about all of the movers involved costs, including things like flights of stairs, distance between your residence and the moving van.

Depreciated Value Coverage

This specifies how much money per $1,000 of assessed value you will need to pay to cover your household items to their fully assessed value. Purchasing this protection requires that a cash value be assigned to the items you will be moving. If a deductible is applied, that value is stated next to the cost-per-$1,000 figure. For example, 8.00/100 means that the consumer must pay $8.00 per $1,000 of assessed value to cover the load against loss, and the first $100 of damage is not covered. Some valuation policies are calculated on a sliding scale, where the price per $1,000 of coverage will vary depending upon the total amount of coverage. In such cases, carriers are requested to quote valuation prices based on $25,000 of coverage.

Dispute Settlement Program

Before moving your household goods, interstate movers are required to provide you with information regarding their dispute settlement program. Movers must offer a neutral arbitration program as a means of settling disputes that may arise concerning loss or damage of your household goods.

Divider

Many self-service movers will place commercial goods behind your household possessions on the trailer. A divider is installed between these separate shipments to keep them secure.

Divider Installation

This specifies how much extra it will cost a consumer to have a divider installed.

D.O.T Web Site

http://www.dot.gov/ .

Estimate

The estimate should clearly describe, in writing, all charges for services the mover will perform. Make sure the estimate is signed by the mover.

Expedited Service

This is an agreement to transport goods by a set date in exchange for a higher rate.

Filing a Complaint

FMCSAdoes not have authority to resolve claims against the company. However, you can file a complaint against the mover by calling FMCSA at 888-368-7238, or by going to FMCSA’s Web site.

Flight of Stairs

This tells you the additional cost, if any, of a flight of stairs either at the point of origin or the destination. Please note that a third-floor walkup counts as two flights since you are starting on the first floor. You don't need to pay this fee If you have a service elevator that is large enough to transport the household goods.

FMCSA official Web site

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov .

Freight-Service

A low-cost alternative to a full-service move, freight-service movers will move all of your household goods from your old address to your new address but will deliver the items only to the doorstep of your new home. Your items must all be boxed in advance, and your individual pieces of furniture will not be wrapped in blankets, as distinguished from full-service movers.

Full Replacement Value Coverage

This specifies how much money per $1,000 of value, you will need to pay to protect your household items for their full replacement value. Full replacement value is the amount of money it will cost to purchase a new replacement for a damaged item, regardless of how old the damaged item was. If a deductible is applied, that value is stated next to the cost-per-$1,000 figure. For example, 8.00/100 means that the consumer must pay $8.00 per $1,000 of declared replacement value to cover the load against loss, and the first $100 of damage is not covered. Some valuation policies are calculated on a sliding scale, where the price per $1,000 of coverage will vary depending upon the total amount of coverage. In such cases, carriers were requested to quote valuation prices based on $25,000 of coverage.

Full Service Mover

The most common form of mover, the full service mover, will move all of your household goods from your old address to your new address. The items are picked up from every room in your old home and delivered to the appropriate rooms in your new home. Individual pieces of furniture are wrapped in blankets to protect them during shipment. Full service movers will also provide, at additional cost, full packing and unpacking services as well as appliance service.

Guaranteed Pick-up and Delivery Service

A premium service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This type of service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

High Value Article

These are items in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound.

Hourly Rates

The Customer is charged by the hour per man, per truck.

Household Goods Carrier

One that transports Household Goods.

Inventory

The detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the quantity and condition of each item.

Interstate Move

Any move that crosses a state boundary, regardless of the number of miles. Distinguished from a Local Move and Intrastate Move.

Interstate Mover

Any mover which across a state boundary, typically over 40 miles.

License

Movers are required by law to obtain certifications necessary to transport household goods within state boundaries or across state lines. The license numbers shown are used to identify the status of the mover's operating authority and insurance coverage. Individual states may require additional license information based on the type of move performed.

Linehaul Charges

Basic method of billing for long distance service. Linehaul charges are calculated by mileage and the weight of your shipment. Linehaul charges may not include fees for charges such as the ones noted in Additional charges.

Loading Ramp

Provided by self service movers to help you load your household goods onto the trailer.

Local Move

A move within a state, typically 40 miles or less. Click here: Local to obtain free quotes for local move.

Local Moving

Local moving usually refers to moves of less than 100 miles within the same state. This type of move is based on hourly rates and is regulated by the states DOT or other regulatory body.

Long Carry Charge

An additional charge incurred when articles must be carried an excessive distance to the movers truck.

Long Distance Moving

Transfer of furnishings from one state to another. Click here: Long Distance to obtain free quotes for long distance move.

Loss or Damage of Goods

If your goods are damaged or missing at delivery, request a company claim form from the mover. Complete the claim form to the best of your ability. The mover will tell you where to mail the completed form. You must file a written claim with the mover within 9 months of delivery. Your claim must be in writing but does not have to be submitted on a mover’s claim form. It is suggested that you send the claims information to the mover by certified mail. If you are not satisfied with the settlement offer made by the mover, you have the option of submitting a loss and damage claim with the carrier’s dispute settlement program or of seeking other legal remedies.

Move

One that transports household or office goods from one location to another as an occupation.

Moving Company

A Moving Company is the business offering your move program and that is in charge of transporting your belongings. Moving Insurance Coverage by a contract binding a party to indemnify another against specified loss or damage during the moving process. For more information about the insurance please click here: Moving Insurance Tips.

Non-Binding Estimate

These estimates are based upon the movers previous experience of jobs that were similar to your job.

Order for Service

The authorizing document allowing companies to move your goods.

Order Number

The number used to identify and track your shipment.

Price

Cost of move, not including extra charges and moving insurance. All cost estimates are calculated based on information obtained from the listed Moving Companies during a signup interview. Although every effort is made to gather the most accurate information, customers should be aware of the fact that many factors affect the cost of a move.

Packing Service

Most movers provide customers the option of having all of their possessions packed before the move and later unpacked at the destination.

Peak Season Rates

A premium rate that is charged at certain times of the year. This rate is generally applied in the summer months.

Piano

This specifies the additional cost to move a single 42-inch piano as part of the total household. This is not the cost to move the piano if that is the only item being moved.

Pickup and Delivery Charges

This is an additional charge that is applied when you have to transport your shipment between the Storage in Transit warehouse and your residence.

Pick-up Date

The Time stated for the company to come and take on your possessions.

Registered Movers

The mover has been assigned a USDOT number, is licensed by FMCSA to engage in interstate transportation of household goods, and has proper insurance. .

Rights and Responsibilities When You Move

A document prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to inform consumers of their rights and responsibilities as a shipper of household goods.

Self-Service Mover

The company provides a trailer for you at your old house. You need to load the trailer yourself and the company returns to move the trailer to your new destination. At the new destination you unload the trailer yourself and call the mover to remove the empty trailer. This type of move is becoming increasingly popular with consumers because it saves money in two ways. First, you do not pay for any of the loading/unloading labor. Second, the self-service mover will often load commercial goods on the trailer behind your household goods, to help defer the cost of the total shipment.

Services Provided

List of variety of work done for customers in response to thier need.

Shuttle Service

Occurs when a smaller vehicle is used to haul goods to a location that is not accessible to large moving trailers.

Stair-Carry Charge

An extra charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs.

Standard Coverage

The movers are required to provide a minimum amount of insurance. This minimum amount of insurance is usually 60 cents per pound. That refers to the amount of money you will receive per pound of damaged goods. For example: If you have an item which weighs 10 pounds, you would only be entitled to $6 of compensation in case of damage.

Storage In Transit (SIT)

Temporary storage. Temporary warehousing of your household goods in pending further transportation. The need for storage in transit arises when customers move from their home, apartment, or office, while not being able to move into their new property right away.

Transport Type

Self-service companies may transport your household goods using few transport methods. Transport types: 1. Truck. 2. Trailer. 3. Truck and Trailer. 4. Mobile Container.

Valuation

A tariff level of carrier liability based on the weight of your goods. Valuation covers your property by assessing value in three different ways: Assessed Value Coverage, Full Replacement Value Coverage and Standard Coverage. Valuation only covers your goods for damage or loss that you can prove negligence on the part of the carrier. Valuation does not cover any loss or damage due to Acts of God. Please note: Valuation is not insurance.

Warehouse Handling

An additional charge that can be applied each time storage in transit service is provided.