27. Released Value vs. Full-Value Protection: What's the Difference?
When you hire a licensed moving company, federal law requires them to offer you two types of liability coverage for your belongings. Most people sign the paperwork without understanding what they've agreed to — and they only find out what it means when a lamp arrives in pieces. Here's a plain-English breakdown of both options so you can make an informed choice before the truck pulls up.
Released value protection is the no-additional-cost option included in virtually every moving contract. It sounds reassuring until you read the fine print: your belongings are covered at just $0.60 per pound per article. That means a 20-pound flat-screen television worth $800 would net you exactly $12 in a claim. The word "protection" is generous here. It is the legal floor, not a safety net.
Under federal regulations (49 CFR Part 375), movers are required to offer released value at no charge, and they are also required to explain what it actually covers. Many customers choose it simply because it costs nothing extra. If your belongings are modest or fully covered by another policy, that may be a reasonable call. But if you own high-value furniture, electronics, art, or appliances, released value will almost certainly leave you short.
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