After unloading, you have up to 30 days to submit a damage claim.  Our claim policy is as follows:

If the customer, hereafter referred to as shipper, has followed the moving instructions and guidelines given to them in person, via fax, postal service, email, or web site and it is determined that the damages are due to the negligence or carelessness of the SECC moving department, the item will be replaced or repaired.  The decision for replacement or repair will be at the discretion of the Southeastern California Conference Moving Department.

Written notification of damages incurred must be received in our office no later than 30 days after the household goods have been unloaded.  This can be done either by filling out the damage report of the Bill of Lading provided by the driver or by letter.  Verifying pictures must accompany this notification.

If it is determined that the item is to be repaired, we recommend the shipper get three written estimates.  The shipper then chooses which estimate they wish to use and sends it to our office by mail or fax for approval.

We will supply the shipper with written approval.  When the approval is received by the shipper, the repair must be completed immediately and the paid receipt mailed to our office for reimbursement.  The receipt must be sent to our office no later than 60 days from the date the shipper receives approval notification from our office.

We will send a refund check up to the amount approved.  Anything over the approved amount will be the shipper’s expense.

We do not give cash settlements.

Hazardous Materials

It is important that you understand which items we are not allowed to carry because they represent a hazard.  Following are some common non-allowable items that you must attend to before your move, examples include:

Sterno Fuel                                                   

Matches                                                   

Kerosene                                             

Gasoline                                                       

Propane or Butane Tanks                  

Fireworks                                            

Fire Extinguishers                      

Charcoal Lighter Fluid  

Charcoal

Flamable Cleaning Fluids

Ammunition

Oil Filled Lamps

Aerosols

Cleaning Solvents 

Oil Based Paints

 Paint/Lacquer Thinner 

Chemistry Sets

Darkroom Chemicals

Pool Chemicals

 Motor Oil

Uninstalled Car Batteries

Pesticides

 Poisons (such as weed killers)

Plants

Some states, such as California, have very stringent guidelines for transport of live plants.  If you are moving to California, we strongly encourage you to leave your plants behind.  California law states that “House plants must have been grown in an indoor setting only, such as in a home or enclosed greenhouse, and planted in sterile, packaged, commercial potting mix.  They should not have been grown or maintained outdoors, even during the warmer time of the year, or planted in soil taken from outdoor or backyard sources.”  In the event that your house plants meet all these requirements and we agree to carry them, inspection officers may reject and confiscate your plants at the state inspection facility.   Please see the PDF Transporting Plants CA for further information.  If your plants are accepted for transport, we cannot guarantee their condition when they arrive at your new home.

Illegal Items or Substances

Illegal items packed into your belongings may subject you to charges against you should these items be found during a law enforcement search en route to your new home.  We are subject to law enforcement inspection of our cargo.

Firewood and Unmilled Wood

Firewood or other unmilled wood carries the possibility of infestation by any number of insects.  In order to prevent infestation of our equipment, your goods, or other shipper’s goods that may also be on our trailer, we cannot transport these items.

Household Cleaning Chemicals

While not illegal, many household chemicals can become hazardous in the environment of a closed, hot van, and can leak, causing damage to your goods, as well as others goods that may also be on the trailer.  We strongly encourage you to leave household cleaning chemicals behind.  You will be responsible for damage caused to your goods and any other items on the trailer.

Make sure any damage claims are submitted to our office in compliance with our claims policy.Check with your new post office to see if you have any mail that has been held and arrange for delivery to begin.  Verify that your forwarding request was correctly processed.Check the state and local requirements for transferring your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Some states allow a very short time for this to occur without penalty.Update your voter registration information.You may want to consult an attorney regarding laws in your new state that cover matters such as wills, transfers of property, investments, insurance regulations, inheritance laws, taxes, etc.

The following document outlines the events of both moving days, the load and unload.  Your responsibilities during that day are also explained.  Please make sure that your duties are fulfilled and all preparations are made prior to the driver’s arrival.  If you have further questions, please call, we are here to assist you.

Moving Day - Loading

• An adult from your household must be present during the entire loading process.  Our driver or other person may have questions or need access that only you can provide.  If you are unable to be there, please designate someone who will be present and responsible for making decisions. Please provide us with their name and contact number.
• If items are being loaded out of storage, you or your designated representative must be present at the time of loading to verify the condition of your goods prior to loading unto the truck.
• Our driver will provide a crew to load your household goods.
• Strip all beds prior to mover’s arrival.
• Clear a wide path of travel through all hallways.  Make sure stairways, doors, porches and driveways are clear.
• Remove potted plants, door mats, low hanging items and throw rugs.
• Give the moving crew a tour of your home, pointing out items to be taken or left, and extra fragile items needing special attention.
• With the driver, make a final check of your entire house to assure no goods are left.
• Sign the paperwork given to you by our driver.
• Set a time for your unload to begin.
• Make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked, all lights off, air conditioner or heat off, and keys and automatic openers are surrendered.

Moving Day – Unloading

• An adult from your household must be present during the entire unloading process.  Our driver or other persons will have questions or need access that only you can provide.  If you are unable to be there, please designate someone who will be present and responsible for making decisions. Please provide us with their name and contact number.
• If items are being unloaded into storage, you or your designated representative must be present at the time of unloading to verify the condition of your goods when placed into storage.
• If you are moving into a building with an elevator, secure use of the elevator for the move.
• If you are moving into an apartment or condo complex, secure management approval for the entry of a large semi tractor.
• Our driver will provide a crew to unload your household goods.
• Give the moving crew a tour of your home, providing them with a diagram of the rooms and furniture location, and verbally describing where furniture and boxes should be located.
• Our driver will make sure that your items are located where you want them.  We understand that things don’t always fit the way you had planned, and will, within reason, move them to accommodate your needs.  However, in order to maintain efficiency and meet our other move obligations, we cannot rearrange furniture more than two times.
• The moving crew will reassemble beds, mirrors, and other furniture they disassembled during the loading process.
• With the driver, make a final check of your household  seeing that furniture is in place and noting any damage that may have occurred during loading, transit, or unloading.
• To prevent damage, televisions and other electronic devices should not be used for 24 hours after arrival in their new location.  This will allow them time to adjust to room temperature.
• Sign the paperwork provided by the driver and retain a copy for your records.