Requirements For
Interstate Household Goods Movers
Insurance (supplier/vender mall)
Process (Statutory) agents
Tariff (notice of tariff availability) & Released rates.
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Tariff
Inspection And Incorporation Notice
Federal law requires
that movers advise shippers that they may inspect the tariffs that govern
your shipment. Carriers’ tariff, by this reference, are made a part of
contract of carriage (bill of lading) between you and the carrier and may be
inspected at carrier’s facility; or, on request, carrier will furnish a copy
of any tariff provision containing carrier’s rates, rules or charges
governing your shipment, the terms of which cannot be varied.
Incorporated tariff
provisions include but are not limited to those:
- Establishing
limitation of carrier’s liability, the principal features of which are
described in the valuation declaration section of the bill of lading.
- setting the time
periods for filing claims, the principal features of which are described
in Section 6 of the bill of lading; and
- Reserving the
carrier’s right to assess additional charges for additional services
performed and, on non-binding estimates, to base charges upon the exact
weight of the goods transported.
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“Ready to move” brochure or link:
http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/tips/ReadyToMove-2006-april.htm
“Rights and Responsibilities” brochure or
link:
http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/rights/rights.htm
Distribute Arbitration Program information
Summary of Complaint & Inquiry Procedure
An easy way to do this is to
print something on your letterhead and include it in your pre-move materials.
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Customer
complaint & Inquiry Handling
To Our Valued Customers:
The department of
Transportation, in 49 CFR 375.213, requires that each household good carrier
must furnish to each of its prospective individually shipper customers a
written description of the customer and inquiry handling procedure
established and maintained by the carrier.
You may communicate in
writing directly with the Main Street Movers agent that booked your shipment
or you may contact Main Street Movers at its corporate office at the address
shown below. If you choose to write to your local Main Street Movers agent,
you need to provide us with a photocopy of your communication, either by
mail or by fax. And include your Customer Order Number.
Main Street Movers
Attention: Customer
Service Department
Post Office Box 123
Pothole Nebraska 55234
Fax- 308-456-7890
E-mail –
Info@mainstreetmovers.com
Or call – 1-800-999-1234 |
Required Documentation
Written estimate – binding or non-binding, before order for
Service is executed.
Must observe 110% Rule – no hostage shipments.
Some provide customers “hybrid” estimates.
Must be based on physical survey if goods
are located within 50 miles of place of business (Shipper
may waive requirement but must do so in writing)
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Waiver Of
Physical Survey Requirement
I
understand that under Section 14101 of Title 49 USC,
I am entitled to receive a written estimate for
Transporting my
household good shipment. I further understand that my mover must conduct a
physical survey of articles I intend to move and must provide the estimate
of charges based on the physical survey. I also understand that I may waive
my right to the physical survey of my goods by signing this waiver.
Understanding my rights,
my signature below indicates my desire to waive my right to receive an
estimate based on physical survey of my shipment.
__________________________________
__________________
(Signature)
(Date)
NOTE- Sample only;
waiver language may differ by carrier |
Charges on shipment rated under non-binding
estimates must be based on weight NOT volume or hours.
Order For Service – written agreement between the COD shippers and
the mover that authorizes the carrier to move the shipper’s goods.
Must include basic shipment information, including pickup &
delivery dates and form of payment honored at delivery.
Not a contract, but a supporting document to the Bill of Lading.
Inventory – detailed listing of the count and condition of the
goods to be shipped.
Prepared at loading & shipper must have opportunity to verify
count & condition both at origin & destination.
Used as receipt of acceptance of the goods by the carrier /
shipper.
Bill of Lading – the receipt for the goods and contract for their
transportation.
Lists the dates, services and charges that will apply for the
shipment.
Contains the valuation options for shippers selection (may be
contained on Order for service as option).
Required Procedures
Weighing & Weights – performed at Certified Scale by Weight
Master; weight tickets to accompany final invoice; shipper may request re-weight
& must waive his right to observe the re-weight weighing in writing.
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Waiver of
Re-weight Requirement
I Understand that under
part 375 of Title 49 USC, I may request a re-weight of my shipment before it
is delivered and that I have the right to observe the re-weight process. If
I elect to waive my right to observe the re-weight, I must do so in writing.
Understanding my rights,
my signature below indicates my desire to waive my right to observe the
re-weight of my shipment.
_________________________________
________________________
(Signature)
(Date)
The waiver of my right
observes the weighing or re-weighing of my shipment dose not affect any of
my other rights regarding my shipment.
NOTE- Sample only;
waiver language may differ by carrier |
Claims – acknowledge within 30 days & provide disposition with 120
days.
Released Rates – Valuation
All movers are required to assume liability for the value of the
goods they transport.
The levels of liability are prescribed by the released Rate
Orders.
Valuation is NOT insurance
Contractual limit of liability
Subject to Carmack conditions
Prescribes nature and extent of carrier liability
Governed by federal Released Rates Order – not by state insurance
board.
FVP level of liability “automatically” applies subject to the
tariff valuation charges.
If shipper wishes to avoid these charges, he must specifically
release shipment to 60-cent level of liability.
Shipper failure to declare alternative level means FVP level and
valuation charges apply.
The high Value Option also remains.
STB has proposed changes in Amendment 5 to RRO MC-999
o
Initial Cost Estimate must include FVP level of protection.
Can provide a second estimate based on 60 cents
if you choose to do so.
o
Any waiver of FVP liability must be accomplished on separate
document.
o
Amounts ($4.90/$5,000) be adjusted for inflation.
Bureau Filed Comments in July
Agreed with spirit of revisions to reduce shipper confusion & to
provide cost estimates that include FVP as standard level.
Did not support mandatory separate Valuation Statement for
released rates shipments; instead suggested simplified Valuation Statement (for
O/S. B/L or optional separate document).
Also recommended resetting the Valuation Levels and associated
charges ($4.90 to $6.00 and $5000 to $6000).
NO MORE COLLECTIVE IMMUNITY
Household goods carrier must publish their rates in a tariff (ICCTA
§ 13702).
Longstanding Ratemaking Agreement terminated as of December 31,
2007.
Will Need to Make Two Choices
How you want to publish your tariff
o
Use AMSA 400 or 600
o
Use another tariff basis
o
Develop your custom tariff
o
Publish yourself
What Rules and Rates you want to put in your
tariff
o
Adopt a version of an HGB Bureau tariff customized for your
operation
o
Develop
your own
Dr Mover New Tool will do that all in a click of a
button.
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