Moving Checklist Keep the bill of lading until your goods are delivered,

the charges are paid, and any claims are settled.

Q.
A.
Where may I file a complaint against a mover?
Visit www.protectyourmove.gov or call 1-888-DOT-
SAFT (1-888-368-7238) Monday – Friday between
Before You Move Before the moving van leaves, take one final look
the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.
throughout the house to make certain nothing has
Obtain the brochure Ready to Move? and the booklet
been left behind.
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move Q. In addition to FMCSA, are there other authorities I
from the mover. Give the driver directions to your new home. should contact to report a mover?
A. Yes. State attorneys general and consumer affairs
Ask for recommendations from neighbors, friends, Inform the driver and the moving company of where agencies are responsible for pursuing suspected
and relatives regarding the mover. you can be reached during the move. moving fraud.
Check with the Better Business Bureau regarding
Delivery Day Q. How can I learn more about movers and transporta-
the mover.
tion of household goods?
Be present to answer any questions and give direc-
Find out what the mover’s responsibilities are for A. Visit www.protectyourmove.gov and
tions.
damages that may occur to your belongings. www.moving.org.
Pay the driver, according to the term of your
Ask if the mover has a dispute settlement program.
agreement,before your goods are unloaded.
Obtain estimates from at least three movers, and
Supervise unloading and unpacking of your goods. FMCSA develops, maintains, and enforces federal regulations
compare cost and all other services to be provided
that establish safe operating requirements for commercial
by the mover. Note on the inventory list all boxes or other items vehicle drivers, carriers, vehicles, and vehicle equipment. FMCSA
that are damaged before you sign any documents. regulates interstate household goods movers and requires them
Check to determine whether the interstate mover is to register with the agency. Its regulations assist consumers on
registered with FMCSA, and has a USDOT number. interstate moves and define the rights and responsibilities of
Questions?
Ready To Move?
consumers and household goods carriers.
Find out how and when pickup and delivery of your
Q. Where can I get a copy of “Your Rights and
household goods will occur.
Responsibilities When You Move” and other helpful Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
consumer information? 1-800-832-5660 • TTY: 1-800-877-8339
Ask the mover how they can be contacted before the
move, during the move, and after the move. A. Visit www.protectyourmove.gov www.protectyourmove.gov www.protectyourmove.gov

Adequately insure your belongings. Q. Where can I find out whether a mover is registered FMCSA-ESA-03-005 Revised April 2006
with FMCSA?
Moving Day A. Visit www.protectyourmove.gov

Be present to answer questions and give directions Q. Where can I obtain information about a mover, Tips for a successful
to the movers. Stay until they finish. broker or freight forwarder’s insurance and process
interstate move...
agent?
Accompany the movers as they inventory your
A. Visit http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov or call (202) 385-2423.
household goods and resolve any questions
regarding the condition of materials being moved.
Q. How do I get assistance to determine if a mover has
Carefully read the information on the estimate, order assessed the correct transportation charges? www.unitedvanlines.com
for service, bill of lading, inventory, and all other A. Visit http://www.stb.dot.gov or call the Surface U. S. Department of Transportation
completed documents before you sign them. Transportation Board at 1-866-254-1792. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
76OCE-500 US DOT #077969
Rev. 9/10 Furnished by United Van Lines, LLC, as required by Federal Law
Ready to Move? Know Your Rights and Order for Service
The order for service is a list of all the services the mover
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Responsibilities Before will perform and shows the dates your household goods
of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) wants
to make sure you have the information you need to
Selecting a Mover will be picked up and delivered.

“Protect Your Memories. Your Money. Your Move.” from Before moving your household goods, movers are Bill of Lading
moving fraud. required to give you this brochure and a booklet entitled The bill of lading is a contract between you and the
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. They mover and a receipt of your belongings. You should be
The best defense against moving fraud is to be informed given a partially completed copy of the bill of lading
provide basic information that will help you understand
and aware of your options when choosing a reputable before the mover leaves the residence at origin.
the documents that a mover will ask you to sign. The
moving company. While most household moves go
smoothly, there are dishonest or “rogue” movers you booklet also explains your rights if your household goods Inventory List
should be aware of. are lost or damaged. Copies of this brochure and booklet The inventory is the receipt showing each item you
can be downloaded from the Web site shipped and its condition. Be sure you receive a written
For more information on interstate moves, visit the www.protectyourmove.gov, which has additional copy of the inventory after your household goods are
FMCSA Web site at: www.protectyourmove.gov helpful consumer information. loaded, and that you agree with its description of your
household goods’ condition.
You can also use this site to link to other government, law
enforcement and moving industry information sources. Use Only Registered Movers
This is very important if you’re looking for more detailed What if There Is a Problem?
State and local information, including how to file a complaint. Make sure the mover you select has been assigned a Applicable Transportation Charges
USDOT number, is registered with FMCSA to engage in Dispute Settlement Program The charges that a mover assesses for its services must
interstate transportation of household goods, and has Before moving your household goods, interstate movers be contained in a published tariff, which must be made
the proper level of insurance. are required to provide you with information regarding available to you upon request. If you feel that a mover
Key Definitions their dispute settlement program. Movers must offer a has overcharged you, you can contact the Surface
You can determine if a mover is registered with FMCSA neutral dispute settlement program as a means of set- Transportation Board at 1-866-254-1792 to obtain
Broker: by accessing www.protectyourmove.gov, or calling tling disputes that may arise concerning loss or damage further assistance.
A company that arranges for the truck transportation FMCSA at (202) 366-9805 for licensing and (202) 385-2423 of your household goods.
of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to for insurance. Filing a Complaint
provide the actual truck transportation. A broker does Loss or Damage of Goods FMCSA does not have the authority to resolve claims
If your goods are damaged or missing at delivery, re-
not assume responsibility for the cargo and usually
does not take possession of the cargo.
Read and Understand All quest a company claim form from the mover. Complete
against a moving company. However, you may file a complaint
against a mover by visiting www.protectyourmove.gov
Tariff:
Information Provided by the claim form to the best of your ability. The mover will
or calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238)
tell you where to mail the completed form. You must
A list of rates, rules, regulations, and available services. the Mover file a written claim with the mover within 9 months of
Monday — Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to
9:00 p.m. EST. Your complaint may trigger a federal
Each mover publishes its own tariffs and these must be delivery. Your claim must be in writing but does not have
provided to you upon request. The mover should provide you with the following basic enforcement investigation against the mover.
to be submitted on a mover’s claim form. It is suggested
documents as part of your move:
that you send the claims information to the mover by
certified mail.
Estimates
The estimate should clearly describe, in writing, all If you are not satisfied with the settlement offer made
charges for services the mover will perform. Make by the mover, you have the option of submitting a loss
sure the estimate is signed by the mover. Do not accept and damage claim with the mover’s dispute settlement
oral estimates. program or to seek other legal remedies.

THE BEST WAY TO AVOID PROBLEMS IS TO BE INFORMED AND PLAN AHEAD.

DO NOT SIGN BLANK DOCUMENTS.