What happens if you are moving from one place to another and your property is damaged in the process? With professional companies like Excel Moving and Storage, it is a rare occurrence that an item is damaged as we move customers to and from the Triangle and Triad areas of North Carolina.
We’ve got years of experience and expertise that allows us to maneuver the toughest corners with the most fragile items intact and unharmed. But, realistically, it’s inevitable that mistakes will happen from time to time, and items can somehow be harmed in the move.
Moving companies must be insured. It’s the law.
If you are dealing with a legitimate moving company that has been in business for more than a week, they will be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This organization serves to protect everyone with some common sense rules–especially when it pertains to the moving industry.
For example, due to the nature of a moving company, these businesses need to move goods across state lines. As soon as that happens, it becomes a federal duty to keep an eye on those belongings and the company keeping them in their care. If you have any interest in looking over the exact details of these rules, you can see them on their website here.
One important rule though is that all who want to operate in this industry have to have liability insurance that covers items broken in their care. It protects the company, it provides support for our customers, and it ensures everyone is cognizant of the responsibilities during a move.
Look for Basic Liability Protection
We know that not all coverage is created equal so as you get your quotes from professional movers be sure to work with companies that provide basic liability protection as a part of every job like Excel Moving offers every customer. This provides coverage should your goods get damaged or lost with a maximum of $0.60 per pound per article.
If you know that your total shipment weight requires an upgrade in the level of protection you need, be sure to ask about additional coverage. Think about any high-value items you will be moving and triple-check that your agreed upon level of coverage is sufficient to protect your belongings.
To make the process easier, stay organized
For items you want to make sure do not get damaged or those that are important for your health (like medicine) plan ahead by hand-carrying them yourselves. This goes for cash as well. From there, you can label which items are high value and fragile for the packers to handle more carefully. You can even take pictures of the space and item before they are moved to keep track of it all.
Every moving company is required to give a “bill of lading” that includes details on insurance and other contractual details. Attached to this bill of lading is an inventory that will have their best estimate of what items are packed and in what condition they are in. Let us know about any items of high value because that could involve more paperwork. It also ensures that we will be extra sure to protect the safety of these items.
If you get to the other end of the move and something is damaged, the moving company is legally liable for what happened while the goods were in their possession. Simply let the company know as soon as you are aware, and they will walk you through how to file a claim to repair or replace the damaged belongings.
To lower risk of accidents, hire a reputable mover like Excel
Everybody makes mistakes, but mistakes are more likely when you trust your move to your friends who are only in it for the free pizza. And, as some homeowners will tell you, the budget moving companies aren’t much better. To get the best chance of getting your beloved belongings from point A to point B safely, trust an experienced local mover. Excel Moving and Storage is an Allied Van Lines affiliate. We are experienced, insured, and always professional.
Those in the Triangle area, whether in Cary, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, or beyond, call 919-213-6694. If you are in the Triad area, including Greensboro, Burlington, High Point, or Winston-Salem, call 336-939-6450.