American Van Service - North American Lines

Household Move North American Van Lines will do everything we can to make this move a pleasant experience for you and your family. A successful move revolves around thorough planning and communication. Your North American Agent Service Counselor and the North American Home to Home moving process are here to guide you and to help take the stress of moving off your shoulders. Delivery As your household goods are being delivered to your new home, you must check off each item on the check off sheet provided by the van operator. If any items are missing or damaged, you need to note the missing or damaged items on the check off sheet or inventory form next to the item. This is known as taking an exception at delivery and is for your protection in the event of damage or a missing item. Signing the item check-off sheet or inventory form is a declaration that all items were received and in the same condition as they were shipped, unless exceptions were taken at delivery. We do not expect you to unpack every carton before signing the inventory. However, you must inspect any cartons for external damage at the time of delivery and note exceptions to such cartons. On cartons where security seals were used, be certain seals are intact at delivery. If not, make sure exceptions are noted at delivery. North American may need to inspect any damaged items to determine if the item should be repaired or replaced. Items must be inspected at the location where they were delivered, this includes to a mini storage unit. If the goods are moved by you or another company prior to our inspection, it is likely that portion of your claim will not be paid. Don’t throw away damaged items, cartons, or other packing materials prior to our inspection – we may need to view them as part of the settlement process. It is in your best interest to file any damage or missing claim quickly, while circumstances are still fresh in everyone’s mind. And, in the event of a missing item, our ability to locate it is greatly enhanced. You must submit your claim in writing. For a claim form, contact your Home to Home Agent Service Counselor or call North American Customer Service at 1.800.348.2111. Personal Computers Be sure to back up your PC hard drive, and carry the backup discs and other software with you. Pack software licensing agreements with other important papers and carry these with you. The hard drive of a PC is sensitive to climatic changes and needs adequate time to acclimate to room temperature. If the PC is not allowed to acclimate, there is a possibility that the hard drive will fail, causing problems with your personal computer. Let the PC acclimate in your new home for approximately 12 hours before starting the system. It is best to have your PC packed in its original carton. Ink cartridges must be removed from printers. Special Items Swing sets, skyforts, storage sheds, and other items of a similar nature must be disassembled for shipment. If you are unable to do this or prefer not to, ask your Home to Home Agent Service Counselor to arrange this extra labor service for disassembly and /or assembly. Certain items require special servicing prior to loading. These services must be performed by a certified technician. The van operator cannot do these things for you. Your Home to Home Agent Service Counselor can help you arrange for services in advance, including: Disconnesting and hooking up of ice maker water lines Disconnesting and hooking up of gas lines to gas stoves, barbecues, dryers, heaters, and fireplace logs Disconnesting and hooking up of electricity or water lines to washers, hot tubs, and other items Disassembly and assembly of slate pool tables Proper draining and folding of waterbed mattresses to prevent damage to baffles Emptying and cleaning toner from copy machines Securing and preparing the working of grandfather clocks High Value Items Certain high-value items cannot move as part of your household goods shipment and will not be covered by North American’s Possession Protection. Do not pack them to be carried on the moving van, take them with you. Examples include, but are not limited to: appraisals, coin, stamp, baseball collections, currency/money, computer backup discs, deeds, jewelry/watches, legal documents, manuscripts, medications, negotiable instruments, passports, precious stones, receipts, securities, stocks/bonds, software licenses, tax records. Other high-value items such as antiques, painting, objects of art, furs, and large collections may require special preparation prior to shipment. You must specifically identify these items to your van operator prior to loading. In addition, you and your van operator must specifically list and identify high-value items on the inventory at origin. The van operator will specially place these high-value items in the truck for easy confirmation of your receipt at unloading/delivery. To protect yourself in the event of loss or damage, you must support the value of these articles with appraisals, photos, original receipts, etc. Also make sure your Possession Protection is adequate to cover the value of these special items and all other belongings. Loading Prior to loading the van operator will provide you a descriptive inventory of the condition and amount of household goods and boxes being shipped. It is extremely critical that you witness this inventory procedure and that you agree with the inventory. This will ensure that you have an accurate record of your possessions to check against upon delivery. If your goods are to be delivered to two different addresses (e.g., an apartment and storage), carried with you or not to be moved, please separate and clearly label those boxes to avoid errors. You must drain the gas tanks of lawnmowers and other gas powered equipment and allow the tank to air dry wit the lid off. You’ll need to wash out trash cans and barbecue grills that use coals prior to loading. Conduct a last-minute walk through with your van operator. Make sure sindows are closed, attic, closets, basement, garage, etc. are empty, lights turned off and doors locked. Remember to take your phone with you. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) allows movers to transport plants if the trip is less than 150 miles and under 24 hours. However, the van operator cannot be expected to water or protect them from temperature extremes. North American’s Posession Protection will not cover pants that are in possession in excess of 24 hours or 150 miles. Some states restrict the import of live plants due to agriculture regulations. Notify the van operator of any rifles and shotguns to be moved. We are required to itemize these items on the inventory along with serial numbers. Packing We’ll move your dressers full. Therefore, you’ll want to remove valuable items from all the dresser drawers. You should plan to physically carry valuable items with you. Notify the packers of breakable items that may require special attention. Take clothes with you for the days between loading and delivery/unloading, and set this suitcase clearly away from the boxes and crates to be loaded in the moving van. Preparing this suitcase and putting it in the car ahead of time will be one less thing on your mind. Do not pack holiday gifts for moving on the truck, take them with you. If you are planning to store a portion of your belongings, think ahead to the change of seasons and climates, and plan your wardrobe accordingly. Prior to the packers arriving, don’t forget to collect all small high-value itmes like jewelry, cash, credit cards, checks, etc. and put them in a safe, secure place so they won’t get misplaced. The following procedures must be followed for safety and security reasons. Handguns that are moved must be registered with the appropriate authorities. Ammunition cannot be moved. If handguns are being packed by North American, please witness the process of placing them in an unmarked box (e.g. no notion on the box indicating its contents). A description of the handguns along with serial numbers must be made on the packers inventory. If you are packing handguns yourself, do not mark the cartons or seal them. At loading, the driver will verify contents and record their description and serial numbers on the inventory. While you can pack your own items and benefit from some cost savings, we don’t recommend it. One of the major advantages of hiring a professional moving company to handle your move is the assurance that your belongings will arrive safely at your home. “Our trained packing crews stand behind” every box, crate, and item we pack, load and ship. When you pack the belongings, “we are unable to stand behind this commitment.” However, your Home to Home Agent Service Counselor can offer assistance if you choose to pack yourself. Ask for a copy of our Guide to Better Packing, as well as packing supplies the experts use. It is illegal and unsafe for North American to transport items that are flammable, explosive, or corrosive. You must either carry these items yourself or dispose of them prior to moving day. Items considered illegal by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) include but are not limited to the following: Acids of any kind, adhesives of any kind, aerosol cans, alcohol/wine, ammonia, ammunition, anti-freeze, batteries, bleach, charcoal briquettes, cleaners, disinfectants, fire extinguishers, fireworks, gasoline, kerosene, lawn and garden chemicals, lighters, lighter fluid, liquid cleaners, matches, paints, polishes, propane tanks, petroleum fluids, shellac and varnishes, solvents, scuba tanks, wood stains, welding gases. Pre-Move Prior to packing and loading day(s), collect all small valuable items like jewelry, cash, and other items listed on the check list and put them in a safe, secure place. These items are not covered by North American’s Possession Protection. Therefore, they must be taken with you and not be part of your household goods shipment. Packing and loading days can be very hectic and confusing, you won’t want to worry about your valuables on those days. While sentimental items, like photographs, may not have a high dollar value, they are often priceless and irreplaceable. For your peace of mind, we recommend you pack them yourself and take them with you. Have your larger high-value items like antiques, furs, paintings, and others listen on the check list appraised and photographed. North American offers additional services, we call accessorial services. These are services provided to you in addition to the linehaul transportation. They include: Crating Packing Unpacking Appliance service Elevator/stair/long carries or shuttle service. (when access to your residence is limited and a second, smaller truck is necessary.) Communication Contact the telephone company and all utilities about disconnects well in advance of your move. Arrange to have your telephone service disconnected the day after loading Arrange to begin telephone service at your new location one day prior to your anticipated delivery date. You’ll need to be present on packing, loading and delivery day to complete paperwork and answer any questions from the movers. If you are unable to be there, you must have someone present to act on your behalf. Please let your Home to Home Agent Counselor know who will be present.

Household Move