Insurance and Damage Claims
What is a moving insurance?
Moving insurance helps protect you and your belongings from damage and loss.
What are my insurance moving options?
Your Moving Insurance Options
With any move, you have three moving insurance options. These options are: standard valuation, full replacement coverage, or going through your homeowners insurance. This is what you should know about each of them.
Option 1: Standard Valuation Every move comes with standard liability, which is ubiquitous throughout the Texas moving industry. This value is $0.60 per pound per article, which typically covers the costs of repairing damaged items, but not replacing them. Take note that this option may not completely cover some of your items.
While Ameritex Movers has less than a 1% damage claim rate, we do recommend you purchase additional insurance to cover very valuable or delicate items. Another alternative is (if easily movable) to move the valuable or delicate items yourself instead of buying insurance to protect those few items.
Option 2: Full Coverage
If you opt for full replacement coverage for your valuables, we recommend Bakers International or MovingInsurance.
To prevent complications, contact either company at least 48 hours before your move date to obtain and bind coverage. Both companies offer a quote for 100% replacement cost coverage. Bakers International and Moving Insurance are independent insurance agencies, and are not associated with Ameritex Movers.
Bakers International
Toll-Free – (800) 356-0093
www.bakerintl.com
OR
Moving Insurance
www.movinginsurance.com
Option 3: Homeowners' Insurance
Your current homeowners’ insurance may already cover your move and your furniture if it is in storage. It never hurts to check with your policy to see if you already have this coverage. It is a great way to reduce an added expense that you’ve paid for through your premiums.
If your current provider doesn’t offer moving insurance, he or she may be able to refer you to other companies for third-party coverage.
Why is it important to have a moving insurance?
Having moving insurance is important for several reasons:
Protection of Belongings: Moving insurance provides coverage for your belongings in case they are damaged, lost, or stolen during the move. Without insurance, you would have to bear the cost of replacing or repairing damaged items yourself.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your belongings are protected can give you peace of mind during the moving process. Moving can be stressful, and having insurance can alleviate some of that stress.
Legal Requirement: Some moving companies are required by law to provide basic liability coverage to their customers. This coverage may not be sufficient to fully protect your belongings, so purchasing additional insurance is advisable.
Additional Coverage Options: Moving insurance allows you to choose the level of coverage that best suits your needs. You can opt for full value protection, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing items, or released value protection, which provides minimal coverage at no additional cost.
Unforeseen Events: Despite careful planning, accidents can happen during a move. Having insurance ensures that you are financially protected in case of unexpected events.
When do I need to get a moving insurance?
It's generally advisable to arrange moving insurance before booking a move, especially if you're transporting valuable or fragile items.
Getting moving insurance before booking a move ensures that your belongings are adequately protected throughout the entire process. It gives you peace of mind knowing that you have coverage in case of unforeseen accidents or damages during transportation.
What is a Bill of Lading?
A bill of lading is an important document in the shipping and transportation industry. It serves as a receipt of goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. Essentially, it outlines the terms and conditions of the transportation agreement between the shipper and the carrier.
How can I file a claim for loss and damages?
To file a claim for loss or damages, kindly submit a written request to our claims department. Our company's protocol involves a thorough inspection of furniture by both our movers and customers, with the final inspection falling under the customer's responsibility. Upon completion of the move, all customers sign a bill of lading confirming their inspection of goods and premises, with damages noted, if any. While we maintain a low rate of damage claims, occasional accidents may occur.
In adherence to state regulations, you have 90 days post-completion of your move to file a claim. Upon receipt of your claim, we'll send an acknowledgment letter within 20 days and have 90 days to settle, deny, or repair the damages. It's important to include your name, job number, clear description of damages, photographs, and a summary of events, if known, to avoid processing delays. Please note, Ameritex reserves the right to personally inspect damages, and failure to provide required information may result in processing delays, as our Claims department won't contact you for missing details.
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