What Is Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and How Does It Help You Move

The first thing on your to-do list when you start planning your move to another city should be to gain as much useful knowledge and information as possible. It’s an essential part of organizing your move if you want to move efficiently and have a pleasant and safe relocating experience. So, if you want to avoid relocation scams, the FMCSA is one of the official government websites you should use to gather essential information.

What Is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration?

The US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a government agency within the DC department of motor vehicles that was founded with the sole intention of preventing commercial motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Even though its primary mission is to regulate the trucking industry in the US and prevent injuries when relocating, it’s also irreplaceable when it comes to guiding people through their moves.

The FMCSA started as the “Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999” and moved on to become established as a separate administration on January 1. 2000. With its headquarters in Washington, D.C., it employs over a thousand people in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, with the interest of making the US roads a safer place, which directly affects you so you can move safely. If you want to get to know the agency a bit better, watch this video:

The FMCSA Should Be Your Main Source of Information on Safety Regulations

Once you realize you’re about to move, your mind goes into full-on panic mode and starts thinking of all the things to consider when relocating to a new state and how you will prepare for the move. At that moment, everything feels like it’s a moving essential, and every relocation hack is useful, as well as any moving tip people can offer.

But the most important thing you should be doing is making sure you will be safe by catching up on all the relevant safety regulations. That’s where the FMCSA official website comes into play as a very valuable asset. Don’t just worry about how you will protect items in storage units, worry about how you will protect yourself on the road and your belongings during transportation, so get to know the safety regulations.

How Can the FMCSA Help Me With the Move?

The biggest impact this government agency will have on the quality of your move is when you start choosing a relocation company. When it comes to hiring long-distance movers, it’s hard to find a company you can trust and rely on. Relocating is expensive, especially if you end up getting a packing service as well. It can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. So it’s really important to do your part of the research in order to avoid scammers and make sure you’re hiring professionals that offer white glove moving services.

If you’re not listening to relocation company recommendations from friends and family and you’re doing the search all by yourself, don’t pick the first one you come across. Search for at least three options before deciding. Read their reviews and contact them for a free estimate. Once you find the best one, you need to check if the company is legitimate.

Another thing you should be aware of is that every relocation service in the US is subordinated to this government agency. That means the FMCSA keeps dictating new rules and ways they can improve their work and make your transportation experience smoother. Companies are constantly being challenged and held to a higher standard. That’s how the relocation industry keeps improving. All that is thanks to the Protect Your Move program the agency has launched.

The most helpful part of that campaign is that now you can find out if a company is reliable within a few seconds. There is a database on their site anyone can access to go through a list of reputable companies. Not only can you see if the chosen white glove moving company is legitimate, but you can also see if there are any complaints filed against their work.

Their Website Has Tools and Resources That Can Be Helpful When Picking Long-Distance Moving Services

On their website, you can find a lot of useful information on how to avoid scammers and relocation mistakes. Check and see if your company is in their database. If it’s not, that’s a red flag, and you should probably avoid working with companies like that. All the red flags you should learn about and take into consideration will be listed on their site. Inform yourself as much as you can. It will help you hire the right people and a reliable company to handle your move to a new city.

Hiring professional help is a legal matter. You will be signing contracts and binding documents, and you should know that as a customer, you have some legal responsibilities, not only rights. A booklet on their site you should definitely keep your eye on is Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.

It has all the information you need to know about your rights and responsibilities, as well as vital advice to keep in mind when dealing with the move. A vital piece of advice that the booklet holds is that you should always read any document before signing it. You would be surprised how many people forget to do so in the middle of all that stress. The agency is there to help you understand your rights and responsibilities and learn more about:

• Driver safeness,
• Carrier safeness,
• Harassment,
• Reporting violations,
• Hazardous materials movers won’t move, and so on.

They Frequently Edit Their Site, and It’s Always Filled With Useful Tips for Moving in the USA

A great thing about their official website is the fact that they keep it up to date. They regularly update the site by posting new and interesting news. A lot of them can help you gain knowledge about your move, the transportation of your items, and the auto transport industry in general. Spend your days leading up to the move by reading interesting articles that can help you have a stress-free relocation experience.

Share Your Feedback if You’ve Been Scammed So You Can Help Others

Unfortunately, bogus companies that make money off scamming people exist, and they take advantage of people every day in every state. The agency receives more than 3,000 complaints every year about relocation fraud, and only about 600,000 people hire professional help annually. That’s a large percentage of people who file a complaint. That’s why the Protect Your Move program tries to protect customers by educating them on all red flags and helps victims of fraud once it’s occurred.

Even though FMCSA can’t help you directly sue and fight the companies since it doesn’t have the authority, you can contact them to help you file a complaint. Another government agency that you should contact is the Better Business Bureau. By filing a complaint, you not only get help for yourself and protect your interests, but you also help other people who will be interested in the same company not to make the same mistake you made.

Any official complaint against any company in any state will be shown on the federal motor carrier safety administration’s website, so other people can see it and be warned. So, how will you know if you have been scammed and if you have grounds for filing a complaint? Here are a few signs you’re not dealing with a reputable company.

You Need to Know How to Protect Your Belongings – Get Insurance

Just like you need health insurance to protect yourself, you need moving insurance to protect your belongings. Federal law states that movers are obligated to provide you with two different liability options for protection packages to choose from – Full Value Protection and Released Value. The FMCSA can help you make the right choice when it comes to insurance.

If you choose the full-value protection coverage, you will be paying a bit extra, but your movers will be responsible for repairing, replacing, or offering you a cash settlement for any lost, destroyed, or damaged items in your shipment. However, they are only liable for items that do not fall under the “extraordinary value” category, meaning they are not worth $100 or more per pound. Also, unless you specifically list these items, they will not be liable.

The released value package is the mandatory protection package you do not have to pay for. It is free of charge and offers minimal protection. Movers are only liable for 60 cents per pound of any lost, destroyed, or damaged goods. Remember that unless you specifically choose the released value option, you will automatically be moved under the full value protection plan and charged for it.

Research Minimizes the Chances of Getting Scammed

If you want to have a hassle-free move to your new home, you will have to put in some effort and do research in order to find a reliable company to hire. It’s not that difficult, and it’s the most important part of your move. Simply follow our advice, read a little, and find reputable white glove movers. They will take care of everything and provide you with a pleasant transportation experience. All that will be left for you to do is prepare for movers and get excited about the move.