Moving companies in Santa Barbara typically offer various levels of protection for damaged or missing items during a move, including limited liability coverage, full value protection, and specific provisions for items of extraordinary value.
Limited liability coverage, often the most basic level of protection, provides minimal compensation and is usually included at no additional cost. However, this coverage may not be sufficient for more valuable items, as federal law only requires moving companies to compensate 60 cents per pound per item lost or damaged during the move. This means that if your 50 lb flatscreen TV were damaged during your move under Limited Liability Coverage, your moving company would only have to compensate you $30 despite the actual value of the flatscreen.
For more comprehensive protection, many moving companies offer Full Value Protection. This level of coverage is more extensive and ensures that the moving company is responsible for the repair, replacement, or compensation of the current market value of lost or damaged goods in the entire shipment. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) explains, “Under Full Value Protection, your mover is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment.” This option provides greater peace of mind as it covers the cost of repairing or replacing any damaged or lost items.
Additionally, special considerations are often required for items of extraordinary value, such as antiques, jewelry, or art. Customers are usually advised to declare these items separately as “Items of Extraordinary Value” to ensure they receive adequate coverage. Failure to do so can result in limited compensation, as standard liability coverage may not reflect the high value of these items. The Surface Transportation Board highlights a key limitation of this coverage: “If a customer fails to list high-value items on the form, and if these items are lost or damaged during the move, the mover is only liable for $100 per pound.” If expensive items are not specifically declared, the compensation may not reflect their true value.
At Lompoc Van & Storage, we offer the following valuation plans to cater to the varied needs of our customers and the values of their belongings:
Limited Liability Coverage
Full Value Protection
Items of Extraordinary Value
We understand the importance of providing adequate coverage and work closely with our clients to ensure they choose the most appropriate protection level for their move. “Our goal is to offer a moving experience that is efficient and provides the security and assurance needed when handling valuable personal belongings,” says Owner Chris DiJulio.
