Released value versus full value protection
Released value generally provides limited carrier liability calculated under the applicable shipment terms; it is not based automatically on an item’s purchase price or replacement cost. Full-value protection generally requires the carrier to address a covered loss through repair, replacement, or another settlement method allowed by the agreement. The label alone is not enough to compare options. Request the valuation document and estimate together, then identify the declared shipment value, any added charge, the carrier’s settlement choices, and whether articles of extraordinary value require separate disclosure. Use the written tariff, bill of lading, or contract that governs your move rather than relying on a verbal summary.
Valuation is not the same as insurance
Carrier valuation establishes the mover’s contractual liability for covered loss or damage. Insurance is a separate product governed by an insurance policy, with its own insurer, coverage terms, exclusions, and claim process. Ask who is financially responsible under each option and whether any third-party policy is actually being offered. For a move entirely within North Carolina, review carrier and consumer information from the North Carolina Utilities Commission at https://www.ncuc.gov/industries/transportation/transportation.html, then confirm which state tariff and documents apply. For an interstate move, use FMCSA’s mover-search tool at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/search-mover to verify the registered carrier and USDOT number before reviewing its paperwork.
Compare exclusions, deductibles, and limits
Build a side-by-side comparison before choosing. Record the cost of each option; any deductible; per-item, per-category, or total limits; and the treatment of owner-packed boxes, internal damage without visible carton damage, mechanical or electrical failure, pre-existing wear, natural materials, jewelry, collectibles, documents, and other high-value goods. Determine whether storage, temporary custody, or work performed by another party changes the protection. Ask how pairs and sets are valued, whether repair can be selected instead of replacement, and how depreciation or salvage may affect a settlement. If a term is unclear, request a written explanation and keep it with the final shipping documents.
Document the shipment and preserve claim rights
Create an inventory before pickup, prioritizing valuable, fragile, electronic, and difficult-to-replace property. Photograph each item from multiple angles in good light, capture serial or model numbers, and record existing scratches or defects. Save receipts, appraisals, manuals, and prior repair records when available, but do not create unsupported values. At delivery, compare the shipment with the inventory, note visible loss or damage on the delivery paperwork, and photograph packaging before discarding it. Promptly give notice using the method required by the governing documents. Ask for the claim deadline, required evidence, inspection process, response procedure, and appeal or dispute options before the move; deadlines and requirements can differ by shipment and agreement. Keep copies of the estimate, valuation selection, inventory, bill of lading, payment record, delivery receipt, correspondence, photographs, and submitted claim. For estimate planning, visit the Morrisville Movers home page at / and provide the route classification, inventory, property access, packing scope, and any unusually valuable items requiring written discussion.