When Is The Best Time To Move?
How Long
Does It Take To Move?
When Should I Call A
Moving Company?
Do I Need An Estimate?
What Is A Binding Estimate?
How Much Will My Move
Cost?
What Is A Tariff?
Am I Protected
Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods Are In Transit?
Can My Possessions Be
Stored Temporarily?
Will My Furnishings
Remain Clean?
Can I Pack My Clothes
In A Chest Or Dresser Drawers?
Can I Move Jewelry
And Other Valuables?
 When Is The Best Time To Move?
If
there is a choice, most moving companies suggest you select a time other than summer, the
end of the month or the end-of-year holidays. The heaviest demands are placed on vans,
equipment and personnel during these periods. However, United Van Lines believes that you
should move when it is most convenient for you. Factors involved in the decision may
include:
- Whether the move must be made immediately
- Transferring children during the school term
- Separation of the family while the move is under way
If the move can be scheduled for a time
when vans and trained personnel are more readily available, we'll be better able to meet
your preferred delivery schedule.
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How Long Does It Take To Move?
This depends on many factors, such as the
time of year, weather conditions, size of your shipment, time required to load and unload,
and the direction and distance your shipment is traveling.
Because the furnishings of the average
household will not fill a van, it is often necessary for two or more shipments to be
loaded on the same van. Each shipment is carefully inventoried to insure that you get all
of your goods at delivery. If your origin and destination are within 50 miles of our
warehouse, there is no need for us to mix shipments.
With the help of United's
computer-assisted dispatching system, pickup and delivery dates are scheduled according to
the origins and destinations of individual shipments on the van, as well as shipment
weight.
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When Should I Call A Moving
Company?
The earlier, the better. Although
the actual van assignment may not be made until a few days before your move, it's wise to
give your moving company from four to six weeks' notice, if possible. The more lead time
you can give, the more likely we will be able to meet your delivery schedule.
All moving companies, for their usual
type of service, require alternate pickup and delivery dates. We'll do our best, of
course, to comply with the dates you prefer or the nearest possible alternative. You will
be notified in advance of the loading date of your goods and of the estimated date of
arrival.
If your pickup and delivery dates are
critical, due to such factors as a lease expiration or a real estate closing, you may
choose an extra-cost service which will enable us to accommodate a reasonable schedule.
You should discuss your specific pickup and delivery requirements with our sales agent,
who can advise you of the types and costs of service available.
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Do I Need An Estimate?
One or our sales agents will make a
pre-move survey of your household goods to be transported. A pre-move survey is needed to
determine the approximate cost of a move and the amount of van space your goods will
occupy. Your sales agent will compute the approximate cost and give you a written
Estimate/Order for Service. An accurate estimate cannot be given without a visual survey
of the goods to be moved. There is no charge for the estimate.
Keep in mind that estimates (household
goods surveys) are only guidelines. On interstate shipments, you must pay the total
charges as determined by the actual weight of your shipment, the distance it travels, and
the services which you authorize or which become necessary to handle your shipment.
Charges for local shipments are generally
calculated on an hourly basis. There may be a minimum number of hours required. These
shipments are handled by the local moving authority, not the interstate carrier.
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What Is A Binding Estimate?
A binding estimate or binding cost of
service specifies in advance the precise cost of the move based on the services requested
or deemed necessary at the time of the estimate. If additional services are requested or
required at either origin or destination (such as a shuttle or long carry), the total cost
will increase. Binding estimates are valid for the time period specified, up to 60 days.
If you add items to be moved or require
additional services, such as packing, between the time of the estimate and the time of
your move, there will be additional charges. An addendum providing for these additional
charges will be prepared for your signature.
If you are interested in obtaining a
binding estimate, please discuss it with our sales agent.
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How Much Will My Move Cost?
Unless you have been given a binding
estimate, the exact cost of your move cannot be determined until after your shipment has
been loaded on the van and weighed. If additional services are requested or become
necessary after loading and weighing, additional charges will be incurred. Basic
transportation charges depend on the actual weight of your goods and the distance they
will travel. The total cost will include transportation costs, any charges for Full-Value
Coverage or Depreciated Coverage (see "Am I Protected Against Loss
Or Damage?"), plus charges for any "accessorial" services (such as
packing and unpacking) performed by the United agent at your request. These charges are
based on "tariff" rate schedules (see below).
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What Is A Tariff?
This is the list of rules, regulations,
available services and resulting charges used by all motor carriers which provide
interstate transportation of household goods. The tariffs are published by each household
goods motor carrier and include its various services. The tariffs are available for your
inspection upon request.
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Am I Protected Against Loss Or Damage While My Goods
Are In Transit?
Yes, but how much protection you have and
its cost to you depend upon the United "valuation" program you choose --
Full-Value Coverage or Depreciated Coverage. The following is an overview of the
coverages, If you have any other questions please contact us.
Under this plan, if your articles are
lost or damaged while in United's care, they will be repaired or replaced with like items,
or a cash settlement will be made for the current market replacement value, regardless of
the age of the item. United will decide on the settlement method. Unlike other United
valuation programs, depreciation is not a factor in determining replacement value.
Full-Value Coverage and deductible
options are available in dollar increments to fit your needs at very attractive rates.
United's total liability for loss or damage will be the amount you declare as the value of
your shipment. However, the minimum total declared value must be at least equal to the
weight of your shipment multiplied by $3.50.
Both of the Depreciated Coverage options
consider depreciation in the settlement of claims. Claims are settled by repairing damaged
articles or by making a cash settlement at the depreciated value, whichever costs less.
The options are as follows:
- Lump-Sum Value The amount you declare as the value of your shipment. The value declared
must be at least $1.25 times the weight of your shipment. There is a charge for this
option
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- Pound-Weight Value The maximum value of your shipment is $1.25 times the weight of the
shipment. There is a charge for this option.
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Can My Possessions Be Stored
Temporarily?
If you
are unable to take immediate possession of your new residence, your belongings can be
stored in a local United agent's warehouse. United agents throughout the world provide
safe storage facilities for holding your goods until you're ready for them. However, you
are responsible for the storage charges, as well as warehouse handling and final delivery
charges from the warehouse.
If your goods are placed in storage,
there will also be an additional charge for the valuation or insurance coverage provided
for your shipment. The type of coverage and cost will depend upon whether the shipment is
held in storage-in-transit or in permanent (long-term) storage. Please ask your United
agent for information regarding storage arrangements.
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Will My Furnishings Remain Clean?
United's
exclusive Sanitized® -treated, air-ride vans provide a clean, safe move. The Sanitized®
feature, which inhibits mildew growth and controls insects, is an extra measure of
hygienic safety for your belongings. In addition to this service, United protects your
upholstered furniture pieces with ClearGuard®, a clear plastic material, before they are
wrapped with furniture pads.
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Can I Pack My Clothes In A Chest Or Dresser Drawers?
Lightweight
clothing -- sweaters, shirts, blouses, lingerie -- may be left in the drawers. Do not fill
drawers with heavy items such as books, table linens or sheets, which can damage the piece
of furniture during transit. Be careful NOT to leave fragile items, money, jewelry,
watches or other valuables in the drawers, as well as anything that might spill or leak.
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Can I Move Jewelry And Other
Valuables?
Items
of extraordinary value such as jewelry, money, antiques and stamp collections can be
included in your shipment, provided you notify your United agent of these items before
packing or moving day. However, we strongly recommend that you carry irreplaceable and
expensive articles with you, or make other arrangements for their transport.
In the moving industry, items worth more
than $100 per pound are considered to be articles of "extraordinary" value. To
be assured that a claim involving these articles is not limited to minimal liability,
complete and sign the High-Value Inventory form and sign the "Extraordinary (Unusual)
Value Article Declaration" box on the Bill of Lading. If no articles of extraordinary
value are included in your shipment, simply write "none" on the High-Value
Inventory form and sign it.
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