Welcome to the Bell Air Movers Insurance Options page. Everyone’s belongings have value, whether monetary or sentimental, no one wants anything to be damaged during the course of a move. We take great measures to ensure our movers handle your household furnishings with care, while protecting the properties where work is occurring. Unfortunately, damages or “cargo claims” are a part of the transportation industry, thus we’ve created this page to address coverage options and exposures consumers face when hiring a moving company.
The common assumption is that full coverage is included when a moving company lists itself as a licensed and insured carrier. The reality is, that is only a statement indicating the company has the sufficient auto, general liability, and cargo coverage that the DOT requires. Most companies offer a 60¢ per lb. limits of liability waiver for their standard rates packages. This is not full coverage or replacement insurance; however is the most standard coverage in the moving industry because no additional fees, descriptive inventory or value needs to be assigned to the shipment. Movers use these contracts to offset the huge amount of liability a company has when handling household items.
Movers generally provide three types of protection for your goods in case they are lost or damaged: limited liability, added valuation and full value.
| OPTION 1 | Released Value Protection |
Limited Liability
This is the basic coverage required by law, and it does not cost the consumer anything. Under limited liability, the mover is responsible for sixty cents ($.60) per pound per item for an interstate move.
This option pays up to 60 cents per pound per article for any lost or damaged article. For example, it would pay a maximum of $60.00 for a 100-pound dresser ($.60 x 100 lbs.).There is no extra charge for this option.
| OPTION 2 | Replacement Cost Protection |
Full Value
This insurance costs the most and covers the actual cost of an item’s replacement or repair, without any deduction for depreciation. Before purchasing coverage from the moving company, you may want to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it will cover your goods during a move. Call your insurance company to find out how much they would charge to insure your goods during a move, and compare the options and prices they offer to the moving company’s.
The additional coverage through the Carrier ( $45 per $1000 liability, no deductible). Declared value of entire household goods must be $10,000 or more. Carrier is liable for repair or replacement costs for items damaged in the move.
Hourly rated shipments are not usually weighed, so a lump sum value must be declared if you wish to purchase depreciated value or replacement cost protection.
Be sure the bill of lading indicates the option you have chosen before you sign it.
If NO option is chosen, and you sign the bill of lading, the mover will assign released value protection (Option 1, above).
EXCLUSIONS
The following items are subject to exclusion from claims under all options:
• Items of extraordinary value not listed on the High Value Inventory form
• Lamps, lampshades, artwork, pictures, mirrors, antiques and statues.
• Live or artificial plants.
• Any marble, granite, natural stone or glass.
• Any damaged item found in boxes not packed by Bell Air Moving Co.
• Missing hardware for items not disassembled by Bell Air Moving Co.
• Pressboard, particleboard, or ready-to-assemble furniture.
• Previously damaged or repaired items.
• Mechanical or electrical derangement or breakdown of any mechanical, electrical or electromechanical equipment or devices unless there is physical evidence of external damage to such property
• Inevitable loss(es) caused by inherent defect or vices including but not limited to wear and tear, loose veneer, dried glue, gold leaf plaster frames.
