Make Sure Your Shipment is Properly Protected When Moving

Ensuring that your shipment is adequately covered with the proper level of valuation protection is critical. Despite the best handling and care of our customer’s possessions, accidents happen and in some cases it is catastrophic where an entire shipment may be destroyed due to an accident, fire, flood or other catastrophic event. No one thinks it will happen to them but each year a few of these events occur. 

The industry standard for full value protection is $6.00 per pound. In many cases this is sufficient but all shipments are unique and in some cases that is not an adequate amount. As a guide, it is good for the customer to review their home-owner’s coverage for the level of insurance they have for their personal property. 

Another important resource is the carrier’s High Value Inventory form. Customers should complete this form prior to packing by listing all their high value items and their approximate value. This helps identify those unique items that may need some special care with specialized handling and it also helps provide a better understanding of the shipment’s value. 

It is recommended that the customer’s valuation level for a shipment be calculated as follows: (estimated weight x $6.00) + (total value of items declared on the High Value Inventory form).

If it is determined that the value of the shipment exceeds the standard $6.00 per pound, a lump sum valuation level can be declared. It’s also recommended that the customer not cancel their home owner’s coverage until the move is complete, because home owner’s coverage may cover items in the case of an Act of God or accident. These are important practices to ensure the customer’s possessions are adequately covered during a move.