Moving Liability and Valuation

Protect your belongings

Placing value on your possessions

When the moving crew arrives on move day, they will ask you to place a value on your possessions. Olympia’s liability for loss or damage varies depending on how you release the shipment. Your goods are not automatically fully covered for loss or damage during the move. You must select the type of protection you desire and indicate your choice, in writing, on the Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is the moving contract between Olympia Moving & Storage and you. The purpose of this information is to help you clearly understand the two choices available to you. A selection must be made prior to the start of any packing or moving services.

Valuation programs

Option 1: Replacement Cost Valuation (Recommended). This option covers repairs, replacement, or full reimbursement with no depreciation, minus the deductible you have selected. The mover will pay for the full cost of repairs if damage occurs while in our care and custody, up to the dollar amount of valuation selected. If the item cannot be repaired, we will replace it or replace it with a like item if the exact item is no longer available. If the item cannot be repaired or replaced we will pay you the cash value based on the current replacement cost (pending proof of value).

Option 2: 60 cents per pound per article. This is the minimum coverage required by the government and is provided free of charge. If your goods are damaged or lost, the mover’s maximum liability is 60 cents per pound per article. If your goods are damaged or lost, you will be entitled to recover the depreciated value of the item damaged or lost, or 60 cents multiplied by the weight of the damaged or lost article (whichever is less).

Example: A 10-pound chair is damaged or lost. You would be entitled to: 10 (lbs.) x 0.60 (cents per lb.) = $6.00. You would be allowed a maximum of $6.00 for that particular chair.

For more information, please download our valuation program brochure (.pdf).