Quality moving and storage companies rarely cause significant damage to goods that are placed into their care and custody. However, it is in your best interest to know what protection options are available so that you can make an informed decision about the liability you want your moving company to accept. Here are the options that are available to you...

Automatic Transportation Protection

• For hourly basis moves, protection up to but not exceeding 30 cents per pound per article is included at no extra cost. This ordinarily does not provide adequate protection for your goods. For example, if a lamp weighing four pounds is lost or damaged, you will not be able to collect more than $1.20 no matter how valuable the lamp was. If you wish to choose this option, you must write “30 cents per pound” on the mover’s bill of lading.
• For weight basis moves, protection up to but not exceeding 60 cents per pound per article is included at no extra cost. Again, this ordinarily does not provide adequate protection. For example, if a lamp weighing four pounds is lost or damaged, you will not be able to collect more than $2.40 no matter how valuable the lamp was. If you wish to choose this option, you must write “60 cents per pound” on the mover’s bill of lading.

Actual Cash (Depreciated) Value Transportation Protection

If you wish to be paid actual cash value for lost or damaged items, you must declare a lump sum value for the entire shipment and pay an extra charge (50 cents per $100 of valuation) depending on the value you declare. To obtain depreciated value coverage you simply enter the lump sum valuation which you consider adequate to cover your shipment (but not less than $5,000 or $1.25 times the estimated weight of your shipment - whichever is greater) on the bill of lading. You will be charged 50 cents per $100 for this option.

Full Replacement Value Transportation Protection

If you wish to be paid full replacement value for lost or damaged items you simply enter in the appropriate part of the bill of lading a valuation which you consider adequate to cover your shipment (but not less than $15,000 or $3.50 times the estimated weight of your shipment - whichever is greater) and write the words “Full Replacement Value” next to the value you are declaring. This option costs you 85 cents per $100 of valuation depending on the value you are declaring. Please note that Avatar Moving Systems, Inc.’s full replacement value option carries a $250 deductible.

Storage - Protection Options

If your goods are being placed into permanent storage you will be presented with a “Declaration of Valuation Amount” form that you must sign and on which you select one of three options; (1) that you do not want coverage for your goods, (2) that you have obtained your own insurance coverage for your goods, or (3) you simply enter a declared lump sum value for your shipment. Should you choose to declare a value for your shipment the costs are as follows..

• For actual cash (depreciated) valuation your cost is 15 cents per $100 of declared value, per month.
• For full replacement value (a $250 deductible applies) your cost is 25 cents per $100 of declared value, per month.

If you have any questions about your choices, please contact Avatar’s customer service team.

In addition, please be sure to read the document "Insurance versus Valuation - It pays to know the difference!".