Users' questions

Can a moving company be an interstate household goods broker?

Can a moving company be an interstate household goods broker?

An interstate household goods moving broker is not a moving company and is not held to the same legal standards as a moving company. An interstate household goods broker is any person or company who, for compensation, arranges, or offers to arrange the transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier.

What happens if a mover steals your stuff?

Todd Ulrich contacted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that oversees interstate moves. After federal regulators reviewed the company’s estimates, and the final bill, the agency took action. It ordered the company to honor the $1,200 estimate and return her belongings or face a possible $10,000 fine.

Is the moving company liable for your possessions?

The moving company is liable for damaging your possessions, but only up to a certain amount. Federal law requires all moving companies to provide liability insurance. However, their liability covers cents on the dollar.

What to do if a moving company breaks your stuff?

This organization can assist you by obtaining information on your move, advising you as to your options and, in some hostage situations, working with the moving company to get your goods released. Plus, they’re vetted by United and Mayflower, two of the larger Full-Service moving companies in the industry.

An interstate household goods moving broker is not a moving company and is not held to the same legal standards as a moving company. An interstate household goods broker is any person or company who, for compensation, arranges, or offers to arrange the transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier.

What kind of company is a moving broker?

A moving broker is a company that arranges for the transportation of your cargo, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation.

Todd Ulrich contacted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that oversees interstate moves. After federal regulators reviewed the company’s estimates, and the final bill, the agency took action. It ordered the company to honor the $1,200 estimate and return her belongings or face a possible $10,000 fine.

The moving company is liable for damaging your possessions, but only up to a certain amount. Federal law requires all moving companies to provide liability insurance. However, their liability covers cents on the dollar.

What does a broker do for a moving company?

A broker merely provides an estimated cost of services to a potential consumer shipper. The broker is not a party to the shipping contract (bill of lading) entered into between the consumer shipper and the motor carrier. The United States Supreme Court has described interstate brokers as middlemen between motor carriers and the shipping public.

Can a broker be held liable as a motor carrier?

Under the federal law brokers are not motor carriers and cannot be held liable as if they were a moving company. The legal and contractual role of a broker and/or shipper’s agent is to negotiate, arrange, or coordinate the interstate transportation. As a broker’s role in the interstate transportation is limited; so too is their liability.

Can a federal court put a moving company out of business?

Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is engaged to cope with hostage situations and to put rogue movers out of business, it has no authority to enforce a court judgment, or act as your advocate against the moving company.