This section covers the basics of moving whether your move is local or long distance. It will help you prepare a checklist of things to do so that you approach your relocation with organized confidence. Knowledge and proper preparation will make your move a breeze.
Moving Calendar
Download our Moving Calendar PDF
Protection for your Possessions
You’ve spent a lifetime collecting personal possessions and furnishings that have both intrinsic and sentimental value. American Red Ball pledges to handle them with the care they deserve. We offer two levels of protection for your goods during the move. The one you select sets the limits of your mover’s lability for any loss or damage to your belongings. Please take time to review and understand your options.
Option 1 – Full Replacement Valuation provides the most comprehensive valuation coverage available.
You will be asked to:
- Disclose the lump sum value of your shipment.
- Select $0, $250 or $500 deductible.
The price for this plan varies with the total value you place on your goods and level of deduction you select.
Option 2 – Release Rate Valuation is the most economical option available, but it offers the least protection against loss or damage during the move, as required by the F.M.C.S.A. It should be used only if your goods have a very low replacement value.
Under this option, your mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. This means that claims will be settled based upon the individual weight of the aritcle(s) being moved. For example: If a 5 pound laptop were lost or destroyed, your mover’s liability would be no more than $3.00 (5 pounds multiplied by 60 cents).
There is no charge for this minimum coverage.
For complete details ask your American Red Ball salesperson to provide you with a copy of American Red Ball’sValuation Plans brochure.
What Have I Forgotten?
With all the details to remember during the move process, it’s not surprising that some things do not get done simply because they have been forgotten. Here’s a short list of commonly forgotten tasks.
- Children and Pets – While you certainly won’t forget about your childen and pets, they will require special consideration during the move. Please visit our section on children, pets and plants.
- Out of Sight, Out of Mind – Don’t forget to empty safe deposit boxes; lockers at gym, school, work; items stored with relatives like the list and pictures of possessions you store off property for insurance purposes, etc.
- Lag Time – On a pre-move visit to your new home, take time to open a safe depsoit box and deposit your valuables and paperwork before the move so they’ll be waiting safely at your new location. While you’re opening that safe deposit box, open new checking and savings accounts or transfer to your bank’s local office. That way, you’ll have easy access to funds at your new location and a smooth financial transition of direct deposit, automatic payments, etc.
- Attics, Sheds, Crawlspaces, Commercial Storage – All those holiday decorations and old records you pull out only once each year are easy to forget about during a move. Make sure they are moved to a main area and packed properly for the move. What about all those boxes you inherited, shoved into storage and forgot? Do you keep furs in special storage during the summer?
- Cleaning and Repair – You’ve been busy. Is there anything at the cleaner you need to collect? What about the tailor and shoe repair? Does the upholsterer still have that rocker you sent to them two months ago? Think about items like these that you need to claim prior to the move.
- Paperwork – Many people pack their files for the move and pack their paperwork about the move and their new home with them! Be sure to keep these important papers and phone numbers with you throughout the move.
- Personal Identity – Documentation you rarely look at or even think about should not be forgotten. Make sure you locate your social security card, credit cards, passport, visa, birth certificate or other important papers. Carry them with you; do not pack them.
- Hazardous Materials – It’s easy to start packing and forget about the many things in your home that the mover cannot accept for safety reasons. Take a moment now to review our list of What Not to Ship so you may properly dispose of such items before your schedule becomes too hectic.
- Security – The new owners of your home will appreciate your efforts to properly transfer security items like alarm codes, garage door openers (don’t leave them in the car or on your keychain), keys (don’t forget keys to outbuildings and “emergency” keys left with relatives and neighbors or hidden under the fake rock), etc. Be sure to check with your home security company to make sure service is transferred to the new owners or disconnected. Remind the previous owners of your new home to do the same for you.