TR-37

General Information
For Moving Household Goods In Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) requires the mover to give you this bulletin to provide information about purchasing the services of a motor carrier moving company. It tells you about your rights and responsibilities when having household goods moved within Oregon.

Moving company rates and services are regulated by ODOT when the origin and destination of a move are within Oregon.

If, after discussing your move with the mover, you still need information or assistance, you may obtain help by contacting:

ODOT, 550 Capitol St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97310-1380, (503) 378-5987.

(a) Estimates are free of charge. You may obtain more than one estimate in order to compare movers and service. Be sure to tell each estimator the same information in order to compare service and quality of estimates;

(b) Estimates must be in writing. An estimate of charges may only be given after a visual inspection of the goods by the mover. Oral or telephone estimates are not permitted;

(c) You should NOT select a mover based solely on the lowest estimate provided because estimates are not binding and may differ from the final cost;

(d) Be cautious if you receive a very low estimate as compared to other estimates. All services may not have been included or it may not be accurate;

(e) BINDING ESTIMATES OR GUARANTEES OF ACTUAL CHARGES ARE ILLEGAL ON INTRASTATE TRANSPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN OREGON;

(f) FINAL CHARGES FOR MOVES MUST BE BASED UPON RATES PUBLISHED IN THE MOVER’S TARIFF AND APPROVED BY THE PUC OR ODOT, REGARDLESS OF ANY ESTIMATE GIVEN BY THE MOVER PRIOR TO THE MOVE.

(a) If your shipment will be put into storage, be sure to look at the origin and destination address(es) on the estimate. This will tell you if the estimate is for one-way transportation only (into the warehouse), or for the complete trip to the final destination;

(b) If needed, ask for a second estimate of charges for removing your goods from storage and delivering them to the final site;

(c) Be sure the estimate includes the warehouse handling and storage charges. Generally, new storage charges are added monthly.

UNDERESTIMATES:

(a) ODOT rules do not allow movers to provide underestimates for service. It is an underestimate if the final charge is higher than 10 percent of the original estimate, and addendum estimate (if any);

(b) ODOT requests that you contact them if this happens, so that the situation may be investigated. ODOT may file a formal complaint against a mover for underestimating;

(c) If an underestimate does occur, you must still pay the total tariff charges because estimates are not binding;

(d) If payment is due upon delivery, the amount that must be paid is the estimated (and addendum estimate amount, if any) amount plus 10 percent. The excess amount is the amount above that. You may request deferred payment of the excess amount for 15 days. The 15-day extension does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.

(a) Local moves are generally within an area of 30 air-miles and are charged for on an hourly basis. Hourly rates depend upon the number of persons and vehicles employed on the job and whether overtime is involved;

(b) No inventory listing is required to be made by the mover on local hourly moves. You may wish to prepare your own inventory and count the items and boxes as they are loaded and unloaded. Discuss this with the mover in advance because a successful loss or damage claim settlement may depend on it.

(a) An intercity move is generally between cities more than 30 air-miles apart. The rate is published in cents per 100 pounds. The charges increase in relation to the weight of the shipment and the distance moved. Accessorial services are charged separately;

(b) An inventory of items must be prepared by the mover for an intercity shipment prior to loading. The inventory document will be coded to list any pre-existing damage of your goods. This is so that the condition of your goods may be established at origin in case of a later claim;

(c) After completing the inventory, the driver and you should sign each page of the inventory. You have a right to note any disagreement with entries regarding damage or unusual wear noted by the mover. Your ability to recover from the mover for any loss or damage may depend on the notations made;

(d) The driver must give you a copy of each page of the inventory. You should attach your copy of the inventory to your copy of the bill of lading. It is your receipt for the goods.

(a) Caution: Generally, a moving company will NOT accept liability for items you pack yourself (unless the mover is negligent in handling the items). Any items you pack must be able to withstand the normal rigors (shaking) of transportation. Discuss this with the mover. Consider asking the mover to pack any fragile items for you;

(b) Do not pack jewelry, money, or valuable papers with your belongings. Never pack matches, flammables, or other dangerous articles.

VALUATION OPTIONS:

(a) Notice: A household goods mover's liability for loss or damage caused by the mover is limited in Oregon to 60 cents per pound per article based upon the actual weight of each article;

(b) Additional valuation protection may be purchased from the mover or an insurance company of your own choosing;

(c) You may want to check with your own insurance company first. Ask whether your insurance coverage applies when your goods are transported by a for-hire carrier;

(d) YOU ARE FREE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE FOR YOUR GOODS FROM SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MOVER;

(e) Valuation protection options are available from the mover depending on your declared value of the goods. Movers shall include in their information bulletin the valuation protection option(s) they offer, which may include:

(A) Option 1. Released Value Protection/Almost No Coverage. This type of valuation pays up to 60 cents per pound per article for any lost or damaged article. For example, it would pay a maximum of $30.00 for a 50-pound table ($.60 x 50 lbs.). You are not required to pay an extra charge for this option;

(B) Option 2. Depreciated Value Protection. The weight of your goods is multiplied by $1.25 per pound to figure the value of your goods, or you may declare a lump sum value of your goods. The greater of the two value figures will be used to calculate the amount you must pay for this protection. Ask your mover for the current price of this option. Any items lost or damaged are subject to depreciation under this option;

(C) Option 3. Replacement Cost Protection. The weight of your goods is multiplied by $3.50 per pound to figure the value of your goods, or you may declare a value of $10,000 or more. The greater of the two value figures will be used to calculate the amount you must pay for this protection. Ask your mover for the current price of this option. Depreciation does not apply under this option.

ADDITIONAL VALUATION INFORMATION:

(a) Hourly rated shipments are not usually weighed, so a lump sum value must be declared if you wish to purchase depreciated value or replacement cost protection;

(b) If NO option is chosen and signed by you on the bill of lading, the mover will assign depreciated value protection (Option 2 under VALUATION OPTIONS (e)(B) of this rule). You will be required to pay the valuation charge for this protection;

(c) Be sure the bill of lading has the option you have chosen before you sign it;

(d) Caution: If the actual value of your goods is higher than the amount you declare on the bill of lading, you may NOT be fully covered. If you are unsure of the value of your goods, you should check your homeowner's policy or call your insurance agent.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

(a) Bill of Lading Contract: The bill of lading is a contract between you and the mover. The mover is required by law to prepare a bill of lading for every shipment it transports;

(b) Get a copy of the bill of lading from the driver who loads the shipment before your goods leave the point of origin. It must show the mover's name, address, and telephone number, the address and telephone number furnished by you to which the mover can send messages regarding your shipment, the location to which your goods are moving, the date of loading, the preferred delivery date and the declared value of your goods;

(c) It is your responsibility to read the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied that the bill of lading shows what service you want;

(d) The bill of lading requires the mover to provide the service you have requested, and requires you to pay the mover the charges for those services. The bill of lading is an important document. Do not lose or misplace your copy. Have it available until your shipment is delivered. Keep it until all charges are paid and all claims, if any, are settled;

(e) Weights: The transportation charge for an intercity move is based on the actual weight of the shipment and distance moved, plus the charge for any accessorial services provided. If you question the weight reported by a mover, you may request that the shipment be re-weighed prior to delivery when scales are available. You may be assessed an extra charge for re-weighing.

AT DELIVERY, CHECK FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE:

(a) At the time of delivery, check for missing items and for damage. If an inventory was prepared, it is your responsibility to check the items delivered against the items listed on the inventory;

(b) If any item is missing, or new damage is discovered, discuss it with the driver. Make a record of the missing or damaged goods on the driver's copy and your copy of the bill of lading or inventory;

(c) After the shipment is unloaded, the driver will request that you sign the bill of lading and/or inventory sheets to show that you received the items listed. Do not sign these documents until your notations have been made if any items are missing or damaged;

(d) A claim settlement may depend on whether these notations were made by you at the time of delivery. Keep any evidence, such as crushed cartons, until the claim is settled.

(a) Should your move result in the loss or damage to any of your property, you have the right to file a claim with the mover to recover for such loss or damage. Claims must be filed with the moving company in writing within three (3) months  from the date of delivery. You should, however, file a claim as soon as possible. Claim forms may be obtained from the mover;

(b) After receipt of your claim, the mover must:

(A) Acknowledge receipt of your claim by notifying you in writing within 30 days;

(B) Pay, decline, or offer a firm compromise settlement in writing within 120 days of receipt of your claim;

(C) Notify you in writing of the reasons for any delay in settling your claim beyond 120 days;

(D) Continue to notify you in writing of the reason for the delay each 60 days thereafter until the claim is settled.

(c) ODOT does NOT have the authority to settle claims but does enforce these time limits. The mover must send a copy of any delayed claim letter to ODOT. Contact ODOT if the mover does not adhere to these time limits;

(d) The time limit to file suit against the mover is within two years and one day from the date of any claim disallowance received in writing.

This (Form TR-37) is a copyrighted form produced by Willamette Traffic Bureau, LLC.  However, for the purposes of this website, the general public may download and print the text of this form.  To inquire about any other forms and products sold by WTB, please call 800-727-7293 or visit them on the web at www.wtbtraffic.com. 
 

DATED

(SHIPPER)

(MOTOR CARRIER)