New Mover Rules

Offer More Consumer Protection

Consumers should be aware that “movers” are now required to adhere to new regulations for interstate household goods moves.  Movers must do the following, according to the American Moving and Storage Association under the new Federal mandates: 

1.       Movers  must  provide an in-home written estimate to the customer if its office is within 50 miles of the customer’s residence unless the customer waives this right.    A visual inspection of your household goods is important in getting an accurate estimate.  Movers further than 50 miles away can provide a telephone estimate or use an Internet survey to estimate.

2.       If  an interstate  shipment  is  moving  under  a  "non-binding estimate", your charges  must   be based on actual weight, not on cubic feet, volume or some other method.  Under a binding estimate the mover is not required to weigh the goods and can use a method other than weight to price the shipment (although most professional movers still use the estimated weight).

3.       An interstate mover must provide the “Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet to the customer before the shipment is tendered.  The mover  must   also provide a brochure entitled “Ready to Move” when you receive your estimate.  Be sure to get your estimate in writing and to ask the mover for these important documents.

Also to keep in mind… Yellow Pages Ads and the Internet.  Anyone can advertise in the Yellow Pages and on the Internet, it doesn’t mean that they are licensed or insured… so, don’t believe everything that you read.  If a mover includes his license (DOT or ICC) number in its ad or on its website, check it out first.

For interstate movers, you can find this information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at the www.protectyourmove.gov website.  Some movers even display the logo of the BBB or AMSA without authorization… so check first.