• Accessorial (Additional) Services —These are services such as packing, appliance servicing, unpacking, or piano stair carries that you request to be performed (or that are necessary because of building requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the line haul charges.
• Additional Transportation Charges (ATCs) —These charges are a component of the overall transportation charge that vary according to the city and state the move is originating from and terminating in.
• Advanced (Third Party) Charges -- These are charges for services performed by someone other than the mover for things such as the specialty preparation of a Grandfather Clock. A professional or craftsman may perform these services at your request. The charges will be added to your bill.
• Agent -- A local moving company authorized to act on behalf of a larger, national company.
• Appliance charge —The cost of a complete disconnect of an appliance at the origin residence and a reconnect of the appliance at the new residence. Covered appliances include washers, dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Certain movers may charge a flat rate, others may charge based on the time it takes to disconnect the appliance. In some cases a third party specialist is required to perform this service.
• Appliance dolly —A wheeled dolly used to assist in loading large items such as appliances and oversized furniture.
• Bill of Lading —This is the contract between the mover and the customer. It also acts as a receipt. It is important to make sure you understand everything on the bill of lading before you sign it.
• Carrier —This is the mover with whom you are working.
• C .O.D.—(Cash on delivery) This means payment is required at the time of delivery at the destination residence or warehouse. Payment should be in cash or certified funds unless arrangements were made in advance for payment by credit card.
• Certified scale —Any scale designed for weighing motor vehicles, including household goods trailers, and certified by an authorized scale inspection and licensing authority. A certified scale may also be a platform or warehouse type scale that is properly inspected and certified.
• Cost of Move —This addresses how much your move will cost. All cost estimates are calculated based on information obtained from the onsite survey and the information you provide about your new home. Although every effort is made to gather the most accurate information, customers should be aware of the many factors that affect the cost of the move. Destination stairs, long carries, and shuttle service may result in additional charges.
• Estimates—
  • A binding estimate is a written agreement made in advance with your mover. It guarantees the total cost of the move based on the items indicated to be moved at the onsite survey and the services requested. Note that if you request that the mover provide more services than those included in the estimate, the cost for those services will be due on delivery. If you add items to your shipment that were not indicated as moving when the survey was performed, your charges will be based on the actual weight.
  • A non-binding estimate is what your mover believes the cost will be, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services performed. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the mover. The final charges will be based upon the actual weight of your shipment, the services provided, and the tariff provisions in effect.
• Expedited Service-- This is an agreement with the mover to perform transportation by a set date in exchange for charges based upon a higher minimum weight.
• Flight Charge— A charge for carrying items up or down flights of stairs. Charges for these services are in addition to the line haul charges.
• Full Replacement Value Coverage or Full Value Protection (FVP)— This is the most comprehensive option available for the protection of your goods. If any article is lost, destroyed, or damaged while in the mover’s custody, your mover will, at their option, either repair the article and restore it to the same condition as when it was received, replace the article with an article of like kind, or pay you for the cost of a replacement article at the current market replacement value regardless of the age of the lost or damaged article. It is important to note that movers are permitted to limit their liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value if you fail to list them on the shipping documents. In addition, if you waive the right to check off your inventory the mover’s liability for lost items may be limited. It is important to check off the inventory and note missing items on delivery.
• High Value Article— This refers to items that are of extraordinary value, meaning, they are not necessarily large, but are valuable. Some examples would be valuable paintings, figurines, or oriental rugs. These items must be declared on a high value inventory form.
• Inventory— A detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the item number and condition of each item.
• Linehaul Charges— The charges for the transportation portion of your move. Linehaul charges are calculated based on the mileage and weight of your shipment.
• Local moving— Local moving usually refers to a move within the same state under a certain mileage, typically 40 or less. This type of move is based on hourly rates and is regulated by that state’s Department of Transportation.
• Long Carry- A charge for carrying articles for excessive distances between the mover’s vehicle and your residence. Charges for these services may be in addition to the linehaul charges.
• Order for Service— The document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods and provide the services you have requested.
• Order Number (or Bill of Lading Number)— The number used to identify and track your shipment, usually found in the corner of your Order for Service. You should have this number handy when you call your mover to inquire about your shipment.
• Peak Season Rate— A premium rate that is charged at certain times of the year. This rate is generally applied in the summer months.
• Pickup and Delivery Charges— These charges apply when a shipment is transported between a Storage in Transit warehouse and the residence.
• Released Value-- This is a minimum amount of coverage that movers, by law, are required to provide at no cost. It is calculated at $0.60 per pound per article, and this refers to the amount of money you would receive if you had a damaged item. For example, if you had a priceless vase that weighed two pounds, you would only be entitled to $1.20 if the vase was damaged in transit. This coverage is a bare minimum and you should not rely on it to adequately compensate you in the event of damage.
• Shuttle Service— When a residence is not accessible by tractor trailer, a smaller truck may be employed to load or deliver the household goods from the truck to the residence.
• Storage in Transit— Temporary warehousing of your goods pending further transportation and delivery to your new home. When storage is utilized you will be assessed charges for storage, warehouse handling, and pickup or delivery charges.
• Valuation— Valuation is not insurance. The valuation protection offered by your moving company is a tariff level of carrier liability based on the weight of your goods. Valuation only covers your goods for damage or loss if you can prove negligence on the part of the carrier. It does not cover any loss or damage due to acts of God, riots, strikes, etc., and all claims are settled by the carrier.
• Warehouse Handling— An additional charge applicable each time SIT service is provided. This charge compensates the mover for the physical placement of items in the warehouse.