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Cartus Household Goods Insurance Program
Cartus Household Goods Insurance Program
www.cartus.com
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Cartus Corporation
40 Apple Ridge Road
Danbury, CT 06810 USA
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Important: This handbook applies only to shipments covered by Cartus’ insurance program. Receipt of this booklet
does not bind coverage for any shipments. This handbook does not apply to shipments insured through other
insurance providers as designated by your employer, the mover, self-moves/truck rentals, or other shipments not
eligible for coverage. Please check with your consultant if you have any questions on coverage.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Setting a Realistic Value (Pre-Move) ................................................................ 3
Base Shipment Value Calculations ........................................................................ 3
Declaration of High Value Items ........................................................................... 4
Total Shipment Value ......................................................................................... 5
COD Insurance —When This Applies ..................................................................... 5
Policy Coverage and Exclusions ............................................................................ 7
Step 2: Your Roles and Responsibilities at Departure and Destination................................ 8
Origin Preparation ............................................................................................. 8
Destination Preparation ...................................................................................... 9
Step 3: How to File A Claim ...................................................................................... 9
Property Damage .............................................................................................. 9
Household Goods Claims .................................................................................... 9
UNIRISC Office Locations.................................................................................. 10
Instructions for Completing the Claim Form.......................................................... 11
Important – General Claim Information ............................................................... 12
Minimum Value
Move Type Calculation Example
U.S. and Canada Domestic
Shipments: Including intra Shipment weight 10,000 lbs. multiplied by
Canada and Canadian Cross $14 per lb. = $140,000
Border (excluding Hawaii, Puerto $14 U.S. dollars per pound
Total Minimum (base) Insured Value:
Rico, and U.S. Territories and $140,000
Possessions).
Surface Shipment weight 8,000 lbs.
International Shipments: Including Surface Shipments: (sea and
multiplied by $16 per lb. = $128,000 Total
offshore shipments to Hawaii, road)
Minimum (base) Surface Value:
Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories $16 U.S. dollars per pound
$128,000
and Possessions (excluding intra
Air Shipment weight 500 lbs. multiplied by
Canada and Canadian Cross Air Shipments:
$24 per lb. = $12,000
Border). $24 U.S. dollars per pound
Total Minimum (base) Air Value: $12,000
Domestic Permanent Storage: Domestic Permanent Storage weight 3,000 lbs.
Domestic Permanent
Permanent Storage will be multiplied by $14 per lb. = $42,000 Total
Storage:
physically located in the Minimum (base) Insured Value:
$14 U.S. dollars per pound
continental USA and Canada. $42,000
International Permanent Storage: International Permanent Shipment weight
Permanent Storage will be International Permanent 3,000 lbs. multiplied by $16 per lb. =
physically located outside the Storage: $48,000
continental USA and Canada. $16 U.S. dollars per pound Total Minimum (base) Insured Value:
$48,000
You must follow the instructions on completing and submitting the Declaration of the High Value Items form prior to your
move to ensure your shipment is properly insured. High Value Items are defined as, but not limited to, any single item of:
CATEGORY 1: CATEGORY 2:
EXCEEDS $10,000 IN VALUE EXCEEDS $5000 IN VALUE CATEGORY 3:
FURNITURE ELECTRONICS (TV/Stereo) EXCEEDS $2500 IN VALUE
(individual or set) APPLIANCE CLOTHING, FURS AND ACCESSORIES
ANTIQUE FURNITURE MATTRESS SET LUGGAGE
AUTOMOBILES (All automobiles ART/PAINTING/SCULPTURE SMALL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS/APPLIANCES
must be listed regardless of value) ANTIQUES CAMERA EQUIPMENT
GRANDFATHER /SPECIALTY CLOCK COMPUTERS & RELATED EQUIPMENT (e.g. PC's, printers)
MOTORCYCLE/ATV's CARPET TOOLS/SHOP EQUIPMENT
BOAT CHINA/CRYSTAL/SILVER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
JET SKI
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT/BICYCLES
ALL MOTORIZED VEHICLE OR
COLLECTIONS OF CD’S, DVD’S, ALBUMS, GAMING,
EQUIPMENT
BOOKS & OTHER LIKE GOODS
OTHER/ITEMS OF UNUSUAL VALUE
Please do not list the above
items if they are $10,000 or less. Please do not list the above items if they are $2,500 or
Please do not list the above items if
less unless they are items of unusual value.
they are $5,000 or less.
Please refer to the instructions tab or Cartus
Household Goods Insurance Program booklet for an
explanation of Items of Unusual Value.
*Items of Unusual Value: In addition, you are required to declare any Items of Unusual Value; examples: an individual
dress or suit in excess of $1,000, or a coffee maker valued at $1,500 would be considered an Item of Unusual Value
and must be declared on your High Value form. Large quantities of expensive clothing or accessories/handbags or
purses should also be declared (i.e. 15 suits with a combined value of $15,000).
Cars, motorcycles, and boats are insured for depreciated value (book value). The value of motorcycles and boats is included
as part of the total shipment weight calculation and does not need to be declared on high value form unless the value
exceeds $10,000. Automobiles must be listed on the high value form when they are being shipped with household goods
regardless of value. When vehicles are transported via a separate car carrier you should not list the vehicle on the
Declaration of High Value form. If you have a specialty or antique automotive, please discuss this with your Cartus
consultant.
High value items not properly documented on the Declaration of High Value Item form will be limited in coverage to the
maximum as stated for the Item/Category should damage or loss occur. Cartus recommends:
• Items of extreme value be appraised.
• You have clear photographs and/or sales receipts to substantiate high value items.
• You keep all appraisals, receipts, proof of ownership/value, and photos with you - separate from your household
goods shipment, as they may be needed during the claim process.
Important considerations when filling out your Declaration of High Value Items form:
• The Declaration of High Value Item form must be completed and returned to your consultant (not to the van
line/freight forwarder) prior to your shipment load date.
• Listing an item on the Declaration of High Value Item form does not guarantee coverage if it is specifically excluded
from the insurance policy.
Properly Documenting High Value Items: There are separate tabs on the Excel document. High Value Items must be listed
on the corresponding tab to the mode of transport in which the item will be shipped.
• Domestic US and Canada (as per description above)
• International Air
• International Surface (Sea or Trucked)
• Permanent Storage
Additional Insurance: An example of the need for Additional Insurance would include; you have higher than average
priced personal effects and they do not meet the definition provided for “high value items”. Note the amount of any
additional insurance required on the high value form in the upper left corner, as “additional insurance required”
for each mode of transport as applicable. Please see below for where to document.
Should your employer limit the amount of coverage they will pay for, you should ask your Cartus consultant to review
COD insurance options with you so you may adequately insure your shipment. COD insurance may be paid via
CartusOnline using a credit card, a check or wire and must be processed prior to shipment load date.
• Should you decline the COD insurance, your shipment will be considered “co-insured” and should you have a claim,
your settlement will be adjusted based on the percentage your shipment that was underinsured.
• If full shipment premiums are COD to you and they are not paid timely (prior to load or conversion of insurance to
COD), and there is a loss or damage on your shipment, the shipment is considered uninsured and all claims will be
denied.
• You do have the option of securing insurance on your own outside of Cartus. We caution you to validate the
coverage and limitations prior to your decision. Examples of risk include: coverage limited to catastrophic damage
only, coverage limited for distance of move, damage limited to transit or storage, but not both.
A $200,000 shipment insured for only $100,000 sustains Your employer is no longer paying for storage; you continue
partial damage; claimant would only be entitled to 50% making payments directly to the storage facility. You may
of the amount that otherwise would have been paid. If a arrange for insurance outside of Cartus, or the Cartus
$1,000 couch was destroyed, the claimant would receive arranged policy can be extended to you. Should you stop
a settlement of 50% of the amount that otherwise would paying the premiums or decl ine the coverage, when the
have been paid, i.e., a prorated amount based on the shipment eventually is delivered, you would not be able to
percentage of the shipment is under-insured. file a claim on the Cartus policy.
Policy Inclusions: The insurance policy covers personal effects and property to be used in a “dwelling” or standard to use in
a household while in the custody of the carrier. Items used for a personal business or owned by your employer, are not
covered. The following details coverage under the Cartus arranged insurance program.
• All risk of physical loss or damage by external causes, including fire and smoke, vandalism, flood and earthquake,
collision, etc.
• Damage to Pairs and Sets (excluding clothing)
• Mold and Mildew – as a result of water damage
• Mold and Mildew – as a result of climatic conditions (atmospheric conditions such as humidity, moisture, dryness),
or extreme changes in temperature (coverage is limited to $25,000).
• Climatic Conditions– damages resulting climatic conditions (atmospheric conditions such as humid ity, moisture,
dryness), or extreme changes in temperature (coverage is limited to $25,000).
• Car, boat, ATV, and Jet Ski claims are adjusted based on depreciated value (book value).
• Mechanical or Electrical Derangement - damage to electronic equipment (TVs, laptops, DVD’s, etc.) due to normal
road vibration. Worn and/or defective parts (including recalls) due to age or normal use will not be covered under
the terms of the insurance policy.
• Temporary storage in an approved mover's warehouse:
‒ For Domestic US Shipments - 365 days of storage
‒ For International Shipments - 180 days of storage
If your household goods are at a Cartus mover’s warehouse for longer than the periods described above,
arrangements will need to be made to extend the ins urance coverage. Please discuss options with your Cartus
Consultant should storage coverage need to be extended:
• Your employer may approve additional storage & insurance;
• Your employer does not approve additional storage & insurance; you can elect to co ntinue the insurance through
Cartus via CartusOnline using a credit card, a check or wire and must be processed prior to insurance conversion to
COD date;
• You can source your own insurance outside Cartus.
Policy Exclusion: While coverage is comprehensive, the items listed below are the most notable exclusions to the policy:
• Missing, damaged, or broken items from cartons not packed by the carrier. Packed by Owner cartons (PBO’s) or
items in the original carton which have not been unopened/inspected) are excluded from coverage. Only those
items professionally packed by the carrier will be insured.
• Jewelry (including costume jewelry), watches, cuff links, precious stones, coins, currency
• Important papers such as awards, certificates, bills, stocks, deeds, passports, professional papers, evidence of debt,
and other personal documents
• Stamp or coin collections, sports memorabilia including trading cards, other collections not specifically declared on
the Declaration of High Value form prior to your move
• Irreplaceable items or items of sentimental value; coverage limited to actua l value (example: an album of wedding
photos would be covered for the value of the actual album, not the sentimental value)
• Loss of data on disks and tapes (recommend back up hard drive and move separately)
• Boats over 20 ft.
• Damage caused by insects, moths, vermin, or inherent vice
• Wrinkled or soiled clothing
Consider separating items not covered by insurance from the rest of your goods and plan to hand carry them to your
destination or make alternative shipping arrangements. Please direct any questions to your Cartus Consultant prior to your
move.
Origin Preparation
• Before the movers arrive, separate items that you
are taking with you and, if applicable, items that are
going by air, surface, or into storage.
• Think about what you will need upon arrival at the
new residence and plan accordingly. Loss as a result
of not having a particular item available to you
because of delay, or while being repaired, if
damaged, is not covered.
• Make sure you have returned your
Declaration of High Value Item form to your Cartus
consultant prior to the movers arriving. Do not give
the form to your mover and do not fill out the
mover’s high value form.
• Important documents, jewelry, and valuables (money, stamps, card collections, etc.) are not covered by
insurance and should not be shipped with your household goods. Please secure these prior to your pack & load.
(e.g. passports, financial documents, medical records)
• Before packing begins, you may want to document your household goods for your records by taking photos or
video.
• It is your responsibility to review the inventories at origin before signing them and note any discrepancies. When
you sign the mover’s copy of the inventory, you are agreeing that the list is complete, accurate, and you are in
agreement with the condition of items as described on inventory.
• Do a walk-through and check all closets, cupboards, and storage areas before the moving company leaves your
home. Make sure no items are left behind. Items left behind are not the mover’s responsibility and may not be
claimed as missing.
• Property damage is the responsibility of the mover and must be documented while they are present. During the
walk-through, mark on the driver’s paperwork if there is any damage caused to your home.
The maximum time to file your claim for damage and missing items is 100 days from delivery date. (Please confirm the
deadline with your Cartus Consultant) Please contact your local UNIRISC office if you require an emergency claim.
UNIRISC is the settlement company Cartus uses to handle claims for all Cartus insured shipments. You may obtain the
claim form from the Cartus website or from your Cartus consultant. You can file your claim either online or by submitting
a hard copy of a claim form by fax or mail to the UNIRISC office based on the location of your delivery. UNIRISC has
several offices across the USA. Please see below for instructions on which UNIRISC office will be responsible for settling
you claim.
The insurance company has the right to inspect all damages, and to salvage the item if they pay you the full replacement
value. Please remember, unless otherwise instructed by UNIRISC:
• Do not discard damaged items
• Do not have damaged items repaired or replaced
• Do not remove items from the delivery location
All moves to Puerto Rico, Mexico and Virgin Islands: Send claims to Virginia Office
All outbound international moves: Send claims to Virginia Office
All Canadian provinces: Send claims to Texas Office
All moves to Alaska and Hawaii: Send claims to Texas Office
Use the map provided below to determine which UNIRISC office will be responsible for handling your domestic claim
within the 48 contiguous United States. If your destination state is highlighted in blue, please file your claim with the
UNIRISC New Jersey office. If your destination state is highlighted in green, please file your claim with the UNIRISC Texas
office. Please see below for move destinations outside the 48 contiguous United States.
All personal information that comes into the possession of UNIRISC is treated as confidential and protected as such. No
Customer personal information will be disclosed either orally, electronically, or in a written format to anyone that is not
authorized to have this information. This information is retained by UNIRISC only for the purposes of either placing coverage
on your goods for your relocation, handling your claim as a result of your relocation, and only during the course of either of
these activities. For EU citizens, should you not consent to this, please notify us of this fact right away.
Claims forms must be completed in full. Missing information may delay your claim. It is important to be as detailed at
possible and include replacement cost, date of purchase (year is fine), and the amount claimed.
Inventory number Enter the item number from the mover’s inventory that corresponds to the article
damaged or lost.
Description of article Identify each item including its brand name, if applicable (i.e.: Ethan Allen dresser,
Schwinn Imperial bicycle).
Nature and extent of damage Describe in detail (i.e.: right leg scratched, left arm rubbed and Chipped, picture tube
broken, etc.)
Replacement cost Enter the cost of replacing this item with like kind and quality.
Date of purchase List the date of purchase of the item. If the item was a gift, list the date it was given
to you.
Amount claimed You must enter an amount that you are claiming as compensation for every item. If
you prefer an item to be repaired, do not enter an amount; instead write “repair” in
this column. Keep in mind that the insurer has the right to repair rather than replace
damaged articles. Please attach any receipts, estimates, etc. which will assist in
validating the claim.
Missing items If items are claimed missing, a copy of the inventory with written exceptions taken
at delivery, and signed by the driver, must be submitted along with the claim form.
In submitting this claim, you are certifying that the copies of the inventories
attached, inclusive of all notations, signatures, and exceptions were executed at the
time of delivery, in the presence and with the knowledge of the moving
personnel/driver.
Automobile If your vehicle was transported in the moving van with your household goods, please
utilize this form for claiming any damages. Please submit an estimate for repairs and
the destination vehicle condition report with your claim form. If your vehicle was
moved via a car carrier, any claim must be directed to them for processing.
If available, please include copies of the carrier’s Bill of Lading. Send the original to the UNIRISC office responsible for
processing your claim and keep a copy for your records.
If you report a carton missing, you must itemize the contents, including the date of purchase and replacement cost for
each article. Please include anything you ha ve that may help substantiate value and ownership; i.e. purchase receipts,
canceled checks, credit card receipts, etc. If items are claimed missing, a copy of the inventory with written exceptions
taken at delivery, signed by the driver, must be submitted along with the claim form. Please forward anything else you
feel relevant for supporting your claim, receipts, pictures, appraisals, etc.
All claims should be filed as soon as possible after your move. Claims must be received by UNIRISC within 100 days from
the date of delivery. Claims received beyond the 100 day filing limit will be denied.
Please direct any questions on your insurance coverage to your Cartus consultant.