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moving relocation Houston the process of transfer relocate household goods from one residence to another, moving to Houston Texas. Whether a self-move or using a moving company this can be challenging. Moving you are intrusting your most precious possession to others, the end result should be a transfer of everything from one place and situate at another. From the point of origin the transportation of your furniture and belongings that came in a box from the store to your home, is now going on a truck with everything else you own.

Houston Texas moving seeing all your worldly possessions stuffed into a truck and you waving goodbye as it pulls onto the road headed to your new residence. Naturally, a small part of you wonders if you'll ever see your life again and, if so, what shape it will be in. This is where moving insurance can help you sleep at night until everything is safely delivered and in its proper place. Accidents happen even to the most careful of people or moving companies. houston apartment by zip code 

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Moving Tip: From the start think of moving everything in one move at one time! Piecemeal moving across town will turn three trips into thirty trips or more. From your previous residence transport all of your furniture and belongings, on one truck one time.

Moving Tip: Insurance Get some. Your apartment community's or landlord's insurance policy does not cover your personal belongings when they are damaged or stolen. You can be liable for damage done to the apartment or house as a result of a fire due to your negligence. If someone is hurt while on the property you rent, you may be legally responsible for that person's medical expenses. Renters Insurance can even cover you for personal possessions that don't happen to be in the apartment or house at the time of the loss.

Some estimates have stated that 20 percent of all consumers have some kind of issue during a move resulting in damage to their possessions. While large-scale moving companies are federally required by law to offer at least some insurance, it is done by the pound and anyone with an iPod knows that your possessions are often worth more than their weight indicates.

Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover your household goods while in transit. Be sure to check with your insurance company to know what coverage you have and assess if additional insurance is necessary.

By law, movers are required to provide basic coverage for every move at no charge. This coverage is based on weight and the value of items lost or damaged is evaluated solely on the weight regardless of the actual value. This coverage is $.30 or $.60 per pound depending the state you are moving from or within. The coverage for all interstate moves is $.60 per pound.
For example, a night table that weighs 10 pounds was damaged during a move from Houston to Greenwich, Connecticut. Regardless of the actual value, if you carried the basic coverage that was provided to you  compensation for replacement or repair of this item would be $.60 per pound totaling $6.00.

In the state of Texas only license insurance agents can sell insurance not movers. $500 fine for acting as an insurance agent without a license. 

What is valuation Valuation Is NOT Insurance. Valuation is the amount of liability a moving company will accept for the value of your goods if damaged or lost while in their possession. Valuation is limited to the moving company own coverage, and in many cases is as low as $0.30 per lb. per item.

Aren't we covered by our moving company. No, your items are not automatically covered by your moving company. The basic coverage the moving company is responsible for is $0.30 or $0.60 per pound per item depending if your goods are shipped within the state or across state lines. You can purchase valuation from your moving company, yet the cost for that valuation is often higher than real insurance with full coverage

Doesn't my homeowner/renters' policy cover my items for the move. Most homeowners' insurance policies do not provide coverage for your household goods for moving purposes. However, you should check with your own insurance agent to see if your existing homeowner/ renters' policy covers your goods while in transit. Be sure you have a written statement from your insurance company stating that your goods are covered while in transit. Often, you will find that your goods are covered against damages while the movers are in your home packing, but not while the goods are in the movers' possession.

Do you compensate for an entire set or pair if only one or a few items of this set or pair are damaged or lost . The basic insurance option does not offer this coverage. However, we offer an additional coverage called Pairs and Sets which will compensate you based on the value of an entire set or pair, even in the case of only one item or a few items damaged or lost. This coverage is available only with the All Risk Insurance option and you can add this coverage when completing the application for moving insurance on our website.

What is the Total Loss Only insurance type. A Total Loss Only (TLO) is an insurance type that will compensate for damages only in case of 100% damage or loss to the shipment. This type of insurance will not compensate for individual items damaged or lost.

How soon before my move do I need to purchase my moving insurance. To purchase one of our All Risk insurance types we request that you obtain coverage for your goods no later than 2 days prior to your Packing Date. We define the Packing Date as the first date the movers will pack and handle your goods, and it could be the same as your moving date. Purchase of the Total Loss Only insurance can be done at any time up to the time the movers arrive at your home (the packing date).

In any case, insurance must be purchased prior to the packing date, performed by the movers.

What if I change my moving date. If your moving date has changed, please contact us, via phone or email, indicate the correct date, and we will make the necessary change. Changes can be made only in the case that the move has not occurred yet. Additional coverage called Pairs and Sets which will compensate you based on the value of an entire set or pair, even in the case of only one item or a few items damaged or lost. This coverage is available only with the All Risk Insurance option and you can add this coverage when completing the application for moving insurance on our website.

What is the Total Loss Only insurance type. A Total Loss Only (TLO) is an insurance type that will compensate for damages only in case of 100% damage or loss to the shipment. This type of insurance will not compensate for individual items damaged or lost.

Yes. The Pairs and Sets, as well as Mechanical and Electrical Derangement options, require that items covered be listed on the basic insurance application as well. This is allowed for All Risk types of insurance, and is made available via our online application.

What are the minimum and maximum insurance coverage amounts allowed. There is no specific minimum amount of coverage. However, our minimum premium is typically based on $10,000 worth of coverage. In other words, for any declared value lower than $10,000, your premium will be determined as the minimum premium available. Also, with some insurance applications, you may need to contact us should you desire to purchase insurance in excess of $150,000 worth of goods loaded onto one truck.

If I pack my own boxes, are the contents covered. Boxes, cartons, or containers that are not packed by a Moving Insurance, LLC approved and listed affiliate are considered Packed By Owner (PBO). Any damages incurred to Packed By Owner items will not be compensated for in the event of a claim. Any loss for an inventoried box, carton or container MUST be noted on the paperwork, and signed by both the customer and the driver at the time of delivery for such a loss to be considered. Proof of ownership may be required, and compensation would be no more than $250 for the contents of that missing box, carton, or container.

Will my items be insured if my shipment goes into storage at a moving company's facility. Your goods will be covered if delivered to a professional moving and storage facility. The costs are at a premium and will vary depending on the length of time in the facility.

When does coverage to my household goods start and when does it end. Coverage of your goods starts when the movers arrive at your home, whether it is for packing or for the actual move. Your goods are covered for a period of 90 days if stored at the moving company's storage facility (SIT - Storage In Transit), as well as for the move out of storage. Additional stay at the storage facility requires additional coverage. The coverage ceases when your move is complete and when the goods are delivered to your new home.

If my goods remain in storage for longer than 90 days, can I get the coverage extended. Yes. You can extend your insurance on a monthly basis, for as long as you need. Please remember that it is your responsibility to extend your coverage. Insurance will not be extended automatically. You can extend your coverage by choosing the "Purchase Storage Extension" option.

Can I purchase coverage for my goods if they are being moved out of storage. Yes. However, please keep in mind that if no previous coverage was provided by us for these goods, unless the items and boxes are being re-inspected by the movers and a new inventory is provided, this insurance will be limited in coverage since it will consider all items to be either Packed By Owner (PBO), or as Condition Unknown.

Can I purchase coverage for my goods if I am loading and unloading my goods into and out of a rented container, using a mobile storage service company. Yes. However, please remember that should your goods be loaded and unloaded by yourself and not by a professional moving company or service, this insurance will be considered a Total Loss Only insurance.

How long do I have to file a claim. You have 45 days from the delivery date on the signed delivery documents to submit a claim.

In case of a claim settlement, am I being paid by both the insurance company and the mover. No. In case of a claim settlement, you can collect payment only from one source, the insurance company or the moving company.

Do I need to take pictures of my items. It is not required to take pictures of your insured items, but is recommended, as it will establish proof of ownership, as well as proof of condition to the items. If you take pictures, we suggest you take pictures from different angles to cover all aspects of an item.

Do I need to produce receipts in order to prove the value of the items. You do not need to produce receipts in regards to the value of the items when you purchase your policy. However, in case of a claim, proof of value is required on all items valued at $5,000 or more. Acceptable proof of value is either a purchase receipt or a certified appraisal.

Self Storage Insurance. Many people involved with a move or relocation will need the use of a self-storage facility to store their goods. In most cases, the renter is typically responsible for loss or damage to the property stored at a self-storage facility, not the storage facility owner.

Full Replacement Value - Valued Inventory is offered for Interstate (moving from state to state), Intrastate (moving within the same state) and International shipments. It provides coverage based on an itemized and valued inventory prepared by the assured (the customer buying the policy) prior to the shipment date. Please note that the value assigned to the articles should be the cost of replacement at your new destination. Any settlement based on this type of coverage would be the lesser of repair costs or the amount declared on the valued inventory.

Example: You have purchased a sofa in 1999 for $400. The current replacement value to purchase a like/kind sofa is $900. You should list the sofa's value at $900. If you list the value at the $400 purchase price, and the sofa is damaged or destroyed during the move, you would be limited to a maximum repair or replacement settlement at the amount you declared on the high value inventory.

This option is the most comprehensive and is the best coverage available, as it does not reduce the settlement amount for depreciation or a co-insurance penalty. This completed inventory could also act as a base for your Homeowners' or Renters' insurance policy at the new location.

Any items you wish to insure MUST BE SPECIFICALLY DECLARED AND VALUED. Failure to comply will result in a settlement denial of the claimed item.

Full Replacement Value - Lump Sum is offered for Interstate (from one state to another) and International shipments only. This option provides coverage based on the total declared value/lump sum of the shipment. To avoid being under insured, it is required you declare a value equal to at least $6.00 times the total weight of your shipment and that high value items be specifically declared and valued. In other words, if your shipment weighs 3,000 pounds, you need to insure it for a minimum of $18,000 and indicate the individual value of your high value items.

If you declare a lump sum amount, any shipped item valued at over $500.00 per item or set MUST BE SPECIFICALLY DECLARED AND VALUED. High value items are defined as any shipped item valued at over $500.00 per item. Failure to comply will limit recovery to a maximum of $500.00 per item or set. The amount shown on the high value inventory will be part of the total declared value and not in addition to it. Items may be categorized as a group, such as "living room set, 7 pieces". However, please remember that in the event a claim is filed for any of the items in that category, the settlement amount may reflect the average value of the declared grouped items in that category.

Items valued at less than $500.00 per item do not need to be specifically declared and listed on the inventory list, however, to be sure that these items are covered, you MUST include their value in your total Declared Value.

Example: You purchased a sofa in 1999 for $400. If this item were lost or destroyed, the cost to replace the same like/kind sofa today would be approximately $900. You must list the current replacement value of $900 on the High Value inventory form for proper coverage. If the sofa is lost or destroyed, and you have not listed the current replacement value on the high value inventory form, you are limited to a maximum of $500 for this item.

In the above example, assuming that you also own other items but individually none of them are valued at over $500, these items do not need to be listed. However, their value must be included in the total Declared Value. So, if you own $5,000 worth of small items AND the sofa, your policy’s declared value would be $5,900. If you do not allow enough coverage to be included in your policy’s declared value for the smaller items included in your shipment, you run the risk of underinsuring your shipment and may not be compensated appropriately in case of a claim.

Advantage: By providing a detailed inventory, you are specifying all individual items that you want insured. All items listed are insured up to the replacement value based on the Terms and Conditions.

This insurance option can be purchased for Domestic Intrastate (within the state), Interstate (from state to state) and International shipments.

Disadvantage: Items not listed and valued are not insured. If you do not list ALL of your personal effects, you are not insuring your entire shipment.

Advantage: Declare a total lump sum of your shipment and list (with values) only items that are $500 or greater in individual value. Items below $500 in individual value do not have to be listed and are covered at their declared or replacement value and at a maximum of $500 each. Your total lump sum value must include the value of both listed, as well as non-listed items.

Disadvantage: If you declare a total lump sum value lower than the actual total value of your shipment, or lower than $6.00 times the weight of your shipment, you may be underinsured and subject to the Co-Insurance clause.

Household goods, personal effects and private passenger automobiles shipped under deck or by air are insured against "All Risks" of physical loss or damage from any external cause, subject to the American Institute Cargo Clauses. These clauses include Warehouse to Warehouse Transit Clauses, Marine Extension Clauses, Strikes, Riots and Civil Commotion, and "War Risk" insurance. Containerized shipments, whether shipped on deck or under deck are insured per "All Risks" conditions. Non-Containerized shipments on deck, subject to an "On Deck" bill of lading, are insured "Free of Particular Average" unless the vessel or craft be stranded, sunk, burnt, on fire, in collision or by the shipment being jettisoned or lost overboard.

Insurance purchased as Full Replacement Value - Valued Inventory can be purchased for Domestic Intrastate and Interstate and International shipments and must specify covered item(s) by item name and declare a value for each item(s). Items not listed are not covered. Item(s) cannot be marked as "Miscellaneous" ("Misc").

Insurance purchased as Full Replacement Value - Lump Sum can be purchased for Domestic Interstate and International shipments only and must be purchased for a minimum $6.00 per pound for Replacement Value coverage. Coverage requires that high value items be specifically declared and valued. Failure to purchase the insurance under this term may cause the shipment to become underinsured and will place in effect the Co-Insurance Clause. Co-Insurance, or Underinsuring, determines the settlement compensation amount in case of a claim. Co-Insurance is a situation in which a shipment or an item is insured for less than its replacement value. Settlement will be proportional to the declared value versus the replacement value of the shipment or item.

The settlement based on Full Value Replacement insurance and Replacement insurance will be the lesser of repair costs, replacement value or as stated on the valued inventory. In the event that an item or its parts cannot be restored to its original condition through repair or replacement, subsequent loss of value is not covered beyond the repair or replacement cost of the item or its parts.

The Insurance Carrier reserves the right to replace the damaged or missing items with items of like kind and quality. If any item of a "set" is lost or damaged, payment is only made for proportionate value of the item damaged, not the entire set. (Request the set and pair policy.)

This insurance includes coverage while in storage at origin and/or destination within an approved warehouse for a total of 90 days starting from the packing date. Mini storages, self lock areas, garages and other like facilities are not considered approved warehouses. In case of a shipment being held in storage for a period of over 90 days starting from the packing date, the assured must promptly notify the moving insurance company, of the delay and pay an additional premium.

If the origin pick up location is a self storage facility, coverage will not be in effect for any boxes which have not been re-packed by the mover. Miscellaneous packed articles claimed missing are not covered even when cartons have been re-packed by the mover. If the shipment delivers into a self storage facility, specific written exceptions must be noted on the mover’s documents for any claims to be considered. Any written exceptions for loss and / or damages must also be acknowledged by the signature of the driver in order for coverage to apply.

The amount of insurance purchased must be not less than the Replacement Value of the property. If it is, the Insurance Carrier will not pay for the full value of any item lost or damaged. The insured shall, to the extent of such deficit, bear his, her or their proportion of the loss. If a valued inventory has been submitted with the insurance document, the maximum liability shall not exceed the indicated amount. In no instance shall the Insurance Carrier’s total liability exceed the insured value declared on this document.

PERILS: Touching the adventures and perils which the Insurance Carrier is contented to bear, and take upon itself, they are of the seas, fires, assailing thieves, jettisons, barratry of the Master and Mariners, and all other like perils, losses and misfortunes that have or shall come to the hurt, detriment or damage of the said goods and merchandise, or any part thereof, except as may be otherwise provided for herein or endorsed hereon.

DUTY OF ASSURED: It is the duty of the Assured and their Agents, in all cases, to take such measures as may be reasonable for the purpose of averting or minimizing a loss and to ensure that all rights against carriers, bailees or other third parties are properly preserved and exercised. IMMEDIATELY notify, in writing, the air or ocean carrier and the delivering carrier advising them that damage has occurred to your shipment. A copy must be included with your claim form.
 

When renting a truck, check the overall quality and condition of the rental company's vehicles.
Find out where to pick up and drop off the rental truck, and try to make the drop-off point as close as possible to your actual destination. (Be sure to ask in advance if there is a drop-off fee, which can often be substantial.)

Don't get a truck that is too small for your needs or one that is larger than you need; the larger the truck, the more it costs - and the more likely your household goods may shift and become damaged as you drive. Tie everything down. Make sure you have insurance to cover the value of the goods you are moving.

According to the Self Storage Association, as of the first quarter of 2007 there are 51,223 "primary" self storage facilities in the United States. In addition to the 51,223 "primary" self storage facilities, there are another 8,434 small business "secondary" mini storage facilities in the US.

Nearly 10% of America's 113.3 million households currently rent a self storage unit. Get a Limited Coverage Policy to cover your goods while they are in storage and or in transit.

The policy coverage is limited in the same way that Contents Insurance or Renter's Insurance. What does this mean. When you rent an apartment or own a condo where the building and common areas are insured under a separate policy. In order to protect the contents of your dwelling, you may purchase Contents Insurance or Renter's Insurance.

Such a policy only pays when there is an "incident". An incident may be the result of a reported burglary, fire, windstorm, or other reported accident. So, if you called the insurance company and claimed for a large scratch on your dining room table but could not produce any evidence of a reportable incident, some accident or occurrence that caused the claim; the claim may be denied. However, if you have a police report of a burglary in which an insured camera is stolen, you have the basis for a documented claim. A valid claim must be paid in a timely manner, and to the extent of the liability. Unnecessarily delaying payment, cancelling the policy, or requiring the insured to submit multiple proofs of claim can be deemed unfair settlement practices.
 

Moving Tip: At Minimum you called a moving company, the truck shows up! Who exactly is this person? Ask to see his/her drivers license and insurance card this is only prudent on your part.

Motor carriers of property operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce must have at least the minimum amount of insurance required by the Motor Carrier Act of 1980. The MCS-90 endorsement provides proof of compliance with this law. The financial responsibility law in each state requires proof of financial responsibility if in an accident.  Failure to provide proof may result in loss of license and or vehicle registration. Each state requires a minimum limit and property damage per accident.
 

Estimates on moving. First, check to see whether you've been offered a binding or non-binding estimate. If it's a non-binding estimate, it's just a guess. The amount you'll be charged will be based on actual weight, distance and services performed, NOT the amount of the estimate.

Even if the low estimate proves to be a binding, or "best price" estimate, the difference might lie in what are known as "accessorial services." This is a whole array of additional services, ranging from extra pickups, to stair carries, to special crating. If one or more of these appear on the other estimates but not on the low one and you choose the low-price mover, you're likely to be asked to sign an addendum before the movers start unloading your possessions. The addendum provides for these services, but raises the cost of your move.  Other info at  http://www.movingscam.com/ 

Do not sign a delivery receipt for your household goods if it contains any language about releasing or discharging your mover or its agents from liability. By law, you have nine months to file a claim. Strike out this kind of language or refuse delivery until a proper receipt is provided.

Moving information provided as a tip for a successful move a help for our customers. We do not buy sell or make lists any information you provide is private. No one will hassle / call you from our company.