|
General Information For Moving Household
Goods In Oregon
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
requires Cross Town Movers to give you this bulletin to provide
information about purchasing the services of a motor carrier
moving company. It tells you about your rights and responsibilities
when having household goods moved within Oregon. Moving company
rates and services are regulated by ODOT when the origin and
destination of a move are within Oregon. If, after discussing
your move with the mover, you still need information or assistance,
you may obtain help by contacting: ODOT, 550 Capitol St. NE,
Salem, Oregon 97310-1380, (503) 378-5987.
ESTIMATES
(a) Estimates are free of charge. You may obtain
more than one estimate in order to compare movers and service.
Be sure to tell each estimator the same information in order
to compare service and quality of estimates;
(b) Estimates must be in writing. An estimate
of charges may only be given after a visual inspection of
the goods by the mover. Oral or telephone estimates are not
permitted;
(c) You should NOT select a mover based solely
on the lowest estimate provided because estimates are not
binding and may differ from the final cost;
(d) Be cautious if you receive a very low estimate
as compared to other estimates. All services may not have
been included or it may not be accurate;
(e) BINDING ESTIMATES OR GUARANTEES OF ACTUAL
CHARGES ARE ILLEGAL ON INTRASTATE TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD
GOODS IN OREGON; (f) FINAL CHARGES FOR MOVES MUST BE BASED
UPON RATES PUBLISHED IN THE MOVER'S TARIFF AND APPROVED BY
THE PUC OR ODOT, REGARDLESS OF ANY ESTIMATE GIVEN BY THE MOVER
PRIOR TO THE MOVE
.CHANGES/ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUIRES AN ADDENDUM
ESTIMATE:
When a written estimate of cost for services
has been given to you but additional services (not included
on the first estimate) are needed, an addendum estimate must
be prepared. This means that if you ask for additional materials
or service, or an unforeseen circumstance arises, a second
estimate must be given to you. An addendum estimate must clearly
show you any extra estimated costs, and be signed by you as
authorized.
ESTIMATES FOR DELIVERY INTO STORAGE:
(a) If your shipment will be put into storage,
be sure to look at the origin and destination address(es)
on the estimate. This will tell you if the estimate is for
one-way transportation only (into the warehouse), or for the
complete trip to the final destination;
(b) If needed, ask for a second estimate of
charges for removing your goods from storage and delivering
them to the final site;
(c) Be sure the estimate includes the warehouse
handling and storage charges. Generally, new storage charges
are added monthly.
UNDERESTIMATES:
(a) ODOT rules do not allow movers to provide
underestimates for service. It is an underestimate if the
final charge is higher than 10 percent of the original estimate,
and addendum estimate (if any);
(b) ODOT requests that you contact them if this
happens, so that the situation may be investigated. ODOT may
file a formal complaint against a mover for underestimating;
(c) If an underestimate does occur, you must
still pay the total tariff charges because estimates are not
binding;
(d) If payment is due upon delivery, the amount
that must be paid is the estimated (and addendum estimate
amount, if any) amount plus 10 percent. The excess amount
is the amount above that. You may request deferred payment
of the excess amount for 15 days. The 15-day extension does
not include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.
HOURLY RATED Residential Moves:
(a) Residential Moves are generally within an area
of 30 air-miles and are charged for on an hourly basis. Hourly
rates depend upon the number of persons and vehicles employed
on the job and whether overtime is involved;
(b) No inventory listing is required to be made
by the mover on local hourly moves. You may wish to prepare
your own inventory and count the items and boxes as they are
loaded and unloaded. Discuss this with the mover in advance
because a successful loss or damage claim settlement may depend
on it.
INTERCITY MOVES; RATED ON WEIGHT AND MILEAGE:
(a) An intercity move is generally between cities
more than 30 air-miles apart. The rate is published in cents
per 100 pounds. The charges increase in relation to the weight
of the shipment and the distance moved. Accessorial services
are charged separately;
(b) An inventory of items must be prepared by
the mover for an intercity shipment prior to loading. The
inventory document will be coded to list any pre-existing
damage of your goods. This is so that the condition of your
goods may be established at origin in case of a later claim;
(c) After completing the inventory, the driver
and you should sign each page of the inventory. You have a
right to note any disagreement with entries regarding damage
or unusual wear noted by the mover. Your ability to recover
from the mover for any loss or damage may depend on the notations
made;
(d) The driver must give you a copy of each
page of the inventory. You should attach your copy of the
inventory to your copy of the bill of lading. It is your receipt
for the goods.
PACKING YOURSELF:
(a) Caution: Generally, a moving company will
NOT accept liability for items you pack yourself (unless the
mover is negligent in handling the items). Any items you pack
must be able to withstand the normal rigors (shaking) of transportation.
Discuss this with the mover. Consider asking the mover to
pack any fragile items for you;
(b) Do not pack jewelry, money, or valuable
papers with your belongings. Never pack matches, flammables,
or other dangerous articles.
VALUATION OPTIONS:
(a) Notice: A household goods mover's liability
for loss or damage caused by the mover is limited in Oregon
to 60 cents per pound per article based upon the actual weight
of each article;
(b) Additional valuation protection may be purchased
from the mover or an insurance company of your own choosing;
(c) You may want to check with your own insurance company
first. Ask whether your insurance coverage applies when your
goods are transported by a for-hire carrier;
(d) YOU ARE FREE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR YOUR
GOODS FROM SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MOVER;
(e) Valuation protection options are available
from the mover depending on your declared value of the goods.
Movers shall include in their information bulletin the valuation
protection option(s) they offer, which may include:
(A) Option 1. Released Value Protection/Almost
No Coverage. This type of valuation pays up to 60 cents per
pound per article for any lost or damaged article. For example,
it would pay a maximum of $30.00 for a 50-pound table ($.60
x 50 lbs.). You are not required to pay an extra charge for
this option;
(B) Option 2. Depreciated Value Protection.
The weight of your goods is multiplied by $1.25 per pound
to figure the value of your goods, or you may declare a lump
sum value of your goods. The greater of the two value figures
will be used to calculate the amount you must pay for this
protection. Ask your mover for the current price of this option.
Any items lost or damaged are subject to depreciation under
this option;
(C) Option 3. Replacement Cost Protection. The
weight of your goods is multiplied by $3.50 per pound to figure
the value of your goods, or you may declare a value of $10,000
or more. The greater of the two value figures will be used
to calculate the amount you must pay for this protection.
Ask your mover for the current price of this option. Depreciation
does not apply under this option.
ADDITIONAL VALUATION INFORMATION:
(a) Hourly rated shipments are not usually weighed,
so a lump sum value must be declared if you wish to purchase
depreciated value or replacement cost protection;
(b) If NO option is chosen and signed by you
on the bill of lading, the mover will assign depreciated value
protection (Option 2 under VALUATION OPTIONS (e)(B) of this
rule). You will be required to pay the valuation charge for
this protection; (c) Be sure the bill of lading has the option
you have chosen before you sign it;
(d) Caution: If the actual value of your goods
is higher than the amount you declare on the bill of lading,
you may NOT be fully covered. If you are unsure of the value
of your goods, you should check your homeowner's policy or
call your insurance agent.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
(a) Bill of Lading Contract: The bill of lading
is a contract between you and the mover. The mover is required
by law to prepare a bill of lading for every shipment it transports;
(b) Get a copy of the bill of lading from the
driver who loads the shipment before your goods leave the
point of origin. It must show the mover's name, address, and
telephone number, the address and telephone number furnished
by you to which the mover can send messages regarding your
shipment, the location to which your goods are moving, the
date of loading, the preferred delivery date and the declared
value of your goods;
(c) It is your responsibility to read the bill
of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something
on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied
that the bill of lading shows what service you want;
(d) The bill of lading requires the mover to
provide the service you have requested, and requires you to
pay the mover the charges for those services. The bill of
lading is an important document. Do not lose or misplace your
copy. Have it available until your shipment is delivered.
Keep it until all charges are paid and all claims, if any,
are settled;
(e) Weights: The transportation charge for an
intercity move is based on the actual weight of the shipment
and distance moved, plus the charge for any accessorial services
provided. If you question the weight reported by a mover,
you may request that the shipment be re-weighed prior to delivery
when scales are available. You may be assessed an extra charge
for re-weighing.
AT DELIVERY, CHECK FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE:
(a) At the time of delivery, check for missing
items and for damage. If an inventory was prepared, it is
your responsibility to check the items delivered against the
items listed on the inventory;
(b) If any item is missing, or new damage is
discovered, discuss it with the driver. Make a record of the
missing or damaged goods on the driver's copy and your copy
of the bill of lading or inventory;
(c) After the shipment is unloaded, the driver
will request that you sign the bill of lading and/or inventory
sheets to show that you received the items listed. Do not
sign these documents until your notations have been made if
any items are missing or damaged;
(d) A claim settlement may depend on whether
these notations were made by you at the time of delivery.
Keep any evidence, such as crushed cartons, until the claim
is settled.
LOSS OR DAMAGE CLAIMS:
(a) Should your move result in the loss or damage
to any of your property, you have the right to file a claim
with the mover to recover for such loss or damage. Claims
must be filed with the moving company in writing within three
(3) months from the date of delivery. You should, however,
file a claim as soon as possible. Claim forms may be obtained
from the mover;
(b) After receipt of your claim, the mover must:
(A) Acknowledge receipt of your claim by notifying you in
writing within 30 days; (B) Pay, decline, or offer a firm
compromise settlement in writing within 120 days of receipt
of your claim; (C) Notify you in writing of the reasons for
any delay in settling your claim beyond 120 days; (D) Continue
to notify you in writing of the reason for the delay each
60 days thereafter until the claim is settled.
(c) ODOT does NOT have the authority to settle
claims but does enforce these time limits. The mover must
send a copy of any delayed claim letter to ODOT. Contact ODOT
if the mover does not adhere to these time limits;
(d) The time limit to file suit against the
mover is within two years and one day from the date of any
claim disallowance received in writing. This (Form TR-37)
is a copyrighted form produced by Willamette Traffic Bureau,
LLC. However, for the purposes of this website, the general
public may download and print the text of this form. To inquire
about any other forms and products sold by WTB,
please call 800-727-7293 or visit them on the
web at www.wtbtraffic.com.
|
