ROSSITER RELOCATION SERVICES

For questions or assistance, call us at (800) 272-0786

PROTECTING YOUR BELONGINGS

Preventing Claims

You've worked hard to buy the furniture, artwork and other collectibles that make your home unique. When the time comes to move these valued possessions, you want them handled carefully to reduce any risk of damage.  By selecting a quality carrier and pre-planning your move, you can help prevent claims and ensure a smooth relocation.

Before Moving Day

• Click here to access the MOVING APPLIANCES & OTHER HOME FURNISHINGS booklet on-line.

• Prepare major appliances and electronic equipment; click here (& scroll to bottom of page) for our list of 3rd party companies that can provide this service for you.

• Determine if you want any packing services. If not, use appropriate materials and packing methods.  Click here to access United's DOING YOUR OWN PACKING brochure on-line, which details proper packing techniques and lists flammable items that should never be part of a shipment.

Other precautions to decrease the risk of damage include selecting a carrier like United which uses air-ride vans to absorb road shock and, if possible, avoiding the placement of your goods in storage to reduce handling.

You may also select a valuation option from the carrier that provides protection from loss or damage to your property.  United offers various valuation options for your belongings. 

Full-Value Coverage

United's Full-Value Coverage program provides protection for your household belongings, up to the amount of coverage you declare.  The Full-Value Coverage program has three options:

• Full coverage (no deductible)

• $250 deductible

• $500 deductible

With a deductible, you assume the first $250 or $500 of loss or damage.  Regardless of the Full-Value Coverage option selected, depreciation is not a factor in determining the replacement value of the lost or damaged item.  When you choose a Full-Value Coverage option, claims are settled via United's choice by:

A) Paying full cost of repairs (minus any deductible);

B) Replacing with a like article, (minus any deductible); or

C) Paying the current market replacement value of the item (minus any deductible).

NOTE: Keep in mind that when an article is replaced or the carrier pays you the full current market replacement value, you must relinquish the damaged item to United for salvage.

The carrier's total liability for loss or damage will be up to the amount you declare as the value of the shipment. However, the minimum value declared must be at least $5 multiplied by the weight of the shipment. There is an additional charge for Full-Value Coverage options.  The charge is based upon the value you declared and the deductible option you selected.  Ask us for price information on Full-Value Coverage.

Comparison Chart

To illustrate the carrier's liability under the various protection plan programs, United created the chart shown on the following page based on a 7,000-pound shipment.

Comparison of Carrier Liability for Various Protection Plan Programs

(Example: 7,000 lb. shipment)

* This reflects the minimum amount of coverage required in the example of a 7,000 lb. shipment.

We can help you calculate price information for the option you select.  Your minimum declared value and cost may change when the actual weight is determined.

High-Value Inventory

If your shipment will contain any articles of "extraordinary value," notify Rossiter Relocation before packing or moving day.  In the moving industry, items worth more than $100 per pound are considered to be articles of extraordinary value.  Although you may have other articles of extraordinary value, this list should help you identify some of your belongings which might fall into this classification.

To assure that these articles are not limited to minimal liability, complete the High-Value Inventory form.  (If you don't have one, contact your United sales representative.)  Be sure to document any signatures, serial numbers or manufacturer marks.  Once you have filled out the High-Value Inventory form, you need to sign it.  The form should be completed on all shipments even though there may be no articles of extraordinary value.

When United provides packing services, give the High-Value Inventory form to the lead packer.  If you are doing your own packing, properly wrap and place items in cartons, but do not tape any boxes closed which contain articles of extraordinary value.  On moving day, the van operator will inspect the articles and seal these boxes in your presence. 

Be sure the inventory numbers for cartons containing high-value items are transferred to the High-Value Inventory form.  This will help you identify the boxes during delivery when you inspect them with the van operator.  In addition, you might want to record high-value items on videotape or take photographs. 

In the event of a claim, any settlement is limited to the value of the article - not to exceed the declared value of the entire shipment.  Claims are still settled based on the type of valuation selected.  If you choose a coverage program which has a deductible or depreciation, this would still apply for articles of extraordinary value.  It's important to note that verification of ownership and proof of value will be required for such articles prior to settlement.

When articles of extraordinary value in your shipment are not listed on the High-Value Inventory form, the carrier's liability is limited to $100 per pound per article - provided the shipment was released at a value greater than 60 cents per pound per article.  Shipments for which the declared value is 60 cents per pound per article are not covered by the provisions applicable to articles of extraordinary value.

Declaring Your Valuation

United's Full-Value Coverage programs discussed here are valuation coverage.

To obtain the valuation coverage for your shipment, you must:

• Select the Full-Value Coverage program you desire and the declared value for your shipment

• Complete and sign the box marked "Valuation" on the Bill of Lading prior to the loading of your shipment.

• Sign the "Extraordinary (Unusual) Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading, if applicable to your shipment.

Remember, you cannot change the valuation coverage you selected once the loading process has begun.

You must select the valuation coverage, and you must write your choice on the Bill of Lading in your own handwriting.

What Valuation Is Not

Valuation is not insurance.

Valuation is a tariff level of carrier liability in the event of the loss or damage to your goods while they are part of an interstate shipment.  The tariffs may contain other conditions regarding the valuation coverage discussed in this brochure.  Valuation as a means of determining liability is unique to carriers.  Valuation does not cover:

• Acts of God (earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, etc.).

• Hostile or warlike actions.

• Defects or inherent nature of the property (changes in atmospheric conditions such as temperature or humidity).

• Acts or omissions of the shipper such as neglecting to prepare an item for shipment.

• Acts arising from riots, civil commotion, strikes, labor disturbances, or lockouts.  If you want coverage for the kinds of liability valuation does not cover, contact your own insurance representative about transit/storage insurance coverage.

Valuation & Storage

Temporary Storage (storage-in-transit)

Storage-In-Transit, or SIT, is the temporary storage of your household goods in a warehouse, pending further transportation.  Your belongings may be placed in SIT at either the origin or the destination location.  While your belongings are in SIT, they remain part of the interstate shipment. For shipments in SIT:

• The SIT storage period cannot exceed 180 days.

• The Full-Value Coverage option you selected and the declared value applicable to your shipment during interstate transportation remain the same while your belongings are in SIT.  However, there is an additional charge for the extended valuation coverage while the goods are in SIT.

Permanent Storage (long-term)

Your belongings may be held in permanent storage at a warehouse.  Typically, your belongings would be placed in permanent (or long-term) storage after the expiration of the 180-day period of SIT storage.  Permanent storage also would apply at the conclusion of the interstate transportation when storage of all or part of your shipment is expected to be lengthy, and there will be no further interstate transportation of your shipment.  For shipments in permanent storage:

• The shipment of your belongings under the Bill of Lading terminates, and a new storage contract is entered into with the warehouse company where your goods are to be stored.

• Liability for loss or damage to the goods shifts from the carrier to the warehouse company for the period your belongings are in permanent storage.

• Generally, the coverage available for goods in permanent storage contains exclusions for articles of extraordinary value.  Additional exclusions or limitations may apply to the coverage for your belongings while in permanent storage.  Ask a representative of the warehouse company for an explanation of the coverage available and any applicable exclusions or limitations.

Before your belongings are stored, you'll need to pay the transportation costs at destination.  Please remember that you 're also responsible for storage costs and the final delivery charges, whether your belongings were placed in Storage-In-Transit or permanent storage.

Checking Your Shipment

When your shipment is delivered, follow these suggestions while the van operator is at your home:

• Verify the delivery of all items by checking against the completed inventory lists, including the High-Value Inventory and Inventory control forms.  This is your responsibility.

• Examine the outside condition of cartons.

• Open any cartons that appear damaged or have tape broken before the van operator leaves.

• Sign the inventory and the Bill of Lading.  This indicates that the shipment meets your satisfaction, except for any notations made for damaged or missing items.

A Missing Item

• Be careful when unpacking.  Unfold each piece of packing material.

• Check to see if related items have been placed in different boxes.

• Gather your order number (from the Bill of Lading) and the inventory number of the missing item, and check the color of your inventory tags.

• Call the Claims Department at Rossiter Relocations - (800) 272-0786 - as soon as possible but no later than nine months from the date of delivery.

If Damage Occurs

• After delivery, contact Rossiter Relocations - (800) 272-0786. 

• Ask that a claim form be mailed to you.

• Submit the completed claim form as soon as possible, but it must be received no later than nine months from the date of delivery.  It can be mailed to us at Rossiter Relocation, 6475 Las Positas Road, Livermore, CA  94551.  If your belongings are placed in permanent storage, the deadline for filing a claim for loss or damage during the interstate shipment or while in SIT is within nine months of the date permanent storage began.

• Retain carton, packing materials and damaged item; arrange for our Claims Department to have inspected the items claimed to be damaged.

If you need further assistance, contact the United Van Lines Customer Claims Department at (800) 325-9970.

Arbitration

If a mutually acceptable settlement of your claim cannot be reached, you may choose to have your dispute arbitrated.  Under arbitration procedures, two parties unable to resolve their differences submit their dispute to an impartial third person for a final determination.  The arbitration system is a less costly alternative to the court system.

United Van Lines participates in a moving industry Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program sponsored by the American Moving & Storage Association and administered by the American Arbitration Association.  The AAA is a non-governmental organization not affiliated with either the AMSA or its member household goods carriers.  The AAA was chosen to oversee the program because it is recognized as the leading independent arbitration authority in the country.  It is a public service, non-profit agency with offices nationwide.

The Household Goods Dispute Settlement Program:

• Remains a voluntary process for the customer and carrier.

• Is legally binding.

• Limits the carrier's liability to the valuation coverage in the Bill of Lading.

• Is not available to resolve disputes over transportation charges.

• Is usually cost-free for the customer.

To obtain information about the arbitration program, contact us or the association which sponsors the program:

American Moving & Storage Association

ATTN: Dispute Settlement Program

1611 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA  22314-3482

(703) 683-7410

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