14/11: Shipping and PROTECTING Yourself on uship.com
Category: Homeless Ship
Posted by: froglog
http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx
1. uShip is a Neutral Venue. uShip is not a transportation service provider (TSP), freight forwarder or broker. As a result, we have no control over the quality, safety, or legal aspects of the transactions that take place on our website. uShip does not prequalify or validate the claims of TSPs including with respect to their licensure, insurance and registration.
11. Shipping. IMPORTANT: uShip does not screen or qualify TSPs for compliance with federal, state or local laws and regulations. It is recommended that you confirm such compliance directly with the TSP before services are rendered by the TSP.
13. Household Goods Shipments. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, administers laws and regulations for the protection of shippers of household goods. Your TSP is required by the FMCSA to provide you with certain information pertaining to a household goods move. You can determine the FMCSA registration and safety status of your TSP at www.fmcsa.dot.gov and review the FMCSA regulations for household goods moves as well as other helpful information at www.protectyourmove.gov
14. Non-household Goods Shipments. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, required that all TSPs handling interstate shipments register with it and provide certain information. You can determine the registration and safety statues of your TSP at www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Boat transport link:
http://www.uship.com/Boats/articles/choosing-boat-carrier/
When shipping a large boat or yacht, it is essential that you find a reputable transport company who has the proper equipment, experience and authority to safely ship your boat.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the boat transport company you choose is reputable and that your boat arrives at its destination with no problems. Researching a boat shipping company’s authority, insurance and past business record will help you determine if you can trust them with shipping your valuable boat or yacht.
Check Boat Transport Authority
Before considering any boat transport company, you must check that the company has Federal Motor Carrier Authority and Federal DOT Authority.
Any legal boat carrier should be able to provide their MC and DOT numbers, and any responsible shipper should verify these at www.safersys.org to make sure the carrier is registered for boat transport.
Car transport link:
http://www.uship.com/vehicles/articles/choosing-an-auto-transporter/
Choosing an auto transport company can be an overwhelming experience. There are several ways to find a transporter—the phone book and the internet are the most commonly used resources. If you are moving, ask your moving company for recommendations but do not feel obligated to use the same mover for your household goods and your car. Transporting a vehicle takes special skills, equipment and insurance, and your household mover may or may not be the best option for transporting your car. You should also ask friends and family for references, as first hand experience is the best indicator of the service you will receive.
Check for proper transport authority
When searching for an auto transporter, a few minutes of research can save you from major headaches in the long haul.
All auto transporters are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation and must have an active USDOT and MC number.
The only exception are forwarders or brokers, who only have MC numbers.
To check the credentials of a transport company, search by their company name, DOT number and MC number at www.safersys.org.
In addition to verifying that their USDOT and MC numbers are valid, make sure that the carrier is specifically credentialed to transport motor vehicles.
Verify liability and cargo insurance
Along with being registered with the Department of Transportation, all carriers are required to have COMMERCIAL liability and cargo insurance.
Although the amounts of coverage vary, you should request written proof of a transporter’s coverage before hiring them.
You can confirm insurance information on www.safersys.org or by calling the transporter’s insurance company.
The insurance should be current and should adequately cover the value of your car. Ask about any limits on the insurance, and if it is necessary, request additional coverage.
MotorCycle Transport link:
http://www.uship.com/motorcycles/articles/Choosing-a-motorcycle-transporter/
You should choose your motorcycle transporter based on their authority, insurance, and experience. Only once you verify carriers’ credentials should you start to compare quotes and service levels. There are enough legal, experienced motorcycle carriers available that you should have no problem finding one that fits your needs.
Verify transport authority
All legal motorcycle carriers are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation.
A carrier’s authority can be verified by checking their DOT and MC numbers at www.safersys.org.
In addition to checking your motorcycle transporter’s registration, verify that they are legally allowed to ship motor vehicles.
Check insurance coverage
All motorcycle transporters should carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage. You should ask your carrier for a copy of their certificate of insurance. On this document, you will find the details of their insurance policy along with contact information for the insurance company. Check the information provided on the certificate with the insurance company listed or through the Department of Transportation at www.safersys.org.
Household Goods link:
http://www.uship.com/moving/articles/investigating-moving-companies/
Moving an entire household is stressful enough without having to deal with a disreputable moving company. When hiring professional movers, time spent investigating a company can save you a lot of money and heartache. You should know that the movers you hire are credentialed, insured, and experienced.
Verify transportation authority
Before considering a moving company, ensure they are legally registered as a mover. The Department of Transportation requires all household moving companies to have USDOT or MC numbers. All legal movers should provide you with these numbers, which you can verify on http://www.safersys.org. At this site you can search by company name or USDOT number to make sure that your mover is credentialed to provide household moving services.
Check insurance coverage
In addition to being registered with the Department of Transportation, all household moving companies are required to carry a minimum amount of liability and cargo insurance. Coverage varies from mover to mover, so be sure to ask for each company's specific policy.
A moving company should be able to provide you with written proof of their insurance coverage, called a Certificate of Insurance. Confirming a mover's insurance is easy: just look them up on http://www.safersys.org or call the insurance company listed on the certificate. You should also be able to purchase additional insurance from the moving company, which is highly recommended.
For Household Movers, you can also go to these links to do your research
http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/hhg/Search.asp?ads=
http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp
Pet and Livestock transport link:
http://www.uship.com/Pets/articles/choosing-a-pet-transporter/
Like any other professional shipping service, pet transporters are bound by strict federal, state, and local regulations. Because pet transporters are responsible for shipping live animals, the requirements for licensing and certification can be very stringent. Before trusting your pet with a transporter, make sure they have the correct authority, experience, and knowledge to safely transport your pet.
What authority and licenses are required for a pet transporter?
A pet transporter must be licensed by the USDA as a dealer, carrier, or intermediate handler if they are transporting "regulated" animals. If an animal is unregulated, such as a bird, fish, or reptile, an animal transporter does not need to be licensed by the USDA. Regulations vary animal-to-animal, so make sure you hire a transporter with the proper authority to ship your pet.
In addition to being licensed, your carrier should provide a minimum amount of insurance. Usually this is one to five hundred dollars per pet. Pet transportation insurance should cover loss, injury, or death of your pet during the trip. Usually, insurance will not cover illness or natural death during transportation.
Experience
In addition to being properly licensed and insured, your carrier should have experience with your type of animal. A pet shipper used to handling horses may not be able to ship your snake properly. Make sure to choose a transporter that specializes in your animal, so you know they have the proper knowledge and experience.
Questions to ask your pet transporter:
How long have you been transporting pets?
What are your policies and procedures?
Are you licensed and insured?
How often do you stay in contact with me during the trip?
What are your fees?
How often do you let out the animals?
What do you do with animals that stay with you overnight?
What supplies should I pack with my pet?
Freight shipping link:
http://www.uship.com/freight/articles/finding-a-freight-carrier/
Finding a Freight Carrier
A freight carrier is the company or person who directly handles your shipment. If you are shipping LTL or international freight, several carriers may handle your shipment. For some shipments, you might hire a freight broker or a freight carrier—companies that contract with a network of carriers to arrange for your freight shipment.
It’s often best to hire a freight carrier directly. Freight carriers are usually small companies or independent owner-operators who offer great services at reasonable prices.
Check Authority, Insurance, and Business Records
The first thing to check when hiring a freight carrier is their authority. A carrier must be authorized by the Department of Transportation to transport goods for hire, and should have a USDOT and MC number that can be verified on safersys.org, unless they are a freight broker or freight forwarder. A freight broker or forwarder will only have a MC number. You can look up any company’s credentials by DOT number, MC number, or company name.
Next, verify your carrier’s cargo insurance. All freight haulers are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance, but you may want to purchase additional coverage from a third party. Ask your freight hauler for their claims-to-damage ratio. This statistic reveals the percentage of claims that have been paid as a result of loss, damage, or theft. A reliable company should have a claims-to-damage rate of 1.5 percent or lower.
Finally, look at a freight carrier’s transaction history. Do they have a positive reputation among fellow transport companies and previous customers? Any reputable freight hauler should be able to provide references from previous customers. You may also want to look up the company on the Better Business Bureau website to see if any complaints have been lodged against them.
Direct links to assist you with the instructions above.
http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
Provides you a company’s safety record & the list of commodities they have registered with the FMCSA to transport
http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain
Provides you a Carrier Insurance coverage information and the type of authority they hold.
Common
Contract
Broker
!!Protect yourself and your property!!
Did you acquire and VERIFY the validity of your chosen Carrier's FEDERALLY MANDATED DOT & MC #'s as per the UShip User Agreement?
http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx
Note: Did you know that NO active "MC #" = No COMMERCIAL insurance?
OOPS !!!!!!!
INTERSTATE" transport requires an ACTIVE "MC" number! You verify it at the Government's "REAL TIME" web site: http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain
Still don't understand? Read this:
http://forums.uship.com/Topic46915-14-1.aspx
1. uShip is a Neutral Venue. uShip is not a transportation service provider (TSP), freight forwarder or broker. As a result, we have no control over the quality, safety, or legal aspects of the transactions that take place on our website. uShip does not prequalify or validate the claims of TSPs including with respect to their licensure, insurance and registration.
11. Shipping. IMPORTANT: uShip does not screen or qualify TSPs for compliance with federal, state or local laws and regulations. It is recommended that you confirm such compliance directly with the TSP before services are rendered by the TSP.
13. Household Goods Shipments. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, administers laws and regulations for the protection of shippers of household goods. Your TSP is required by the FMCSA to provide you with certain information pertaining to a household goods move. You can determine the FMCSA registration and safety status of your TSP at www.fmcsa.dot.gov and review the FMCSA regulations for household goods moves as well as other helpful information at www.protectyourmove.gov
14. Non-household Goods Shipments. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, required that all TSPs handling interstate shipments register with it and provide certain information. You can determine the registration and safety statues of your TSP at www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Boat transport link:
http://www.uship.com/Boats/articles/choosing-boat-carrier/
When shipping a large boat or yacht, it is essential that you find a reputable transport company who has the proper equipment, experience and authority to safely ship your boat.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the boat transport company you choose is reputable and that your boat arrives at its destination with no problems. Researching a boat shipping company’s authority, insurance and past business record will help you determine if you can trust them with shipping your valuable boat or yacht.
Check Boat Transport Authority
Before considering any boat transport company, you must check that the company has Federal Motor Carrier Authority and Federal DOT Authority.
Any legal boat carrier should be able to provide their MC and DOT numbers, and any responsible shipper should verify these at www.safersys.org to make sure the carrier is registered for boat transport.
Car transport link:
http://www.uship.com/vehicles/articles/choosing-an-auto-transporter/
Choosing an auto transport company can be an overwhelming experience. There are several ways to find a transporter—the phone book and the internet are the most commonly used resources. If you are moving, ask your moving company for recommendations but do not feel obligated to use the same mover for your household goods and your car. Transporting a vehicle takes special skills, equipment and insurance, and your household mover may or may not be the best option for transporting your car. You should also ask friends and family for references, as first hand experience is the best indicator of the service you will receive.
Check for proper transport authority
When searching for an auto transporter, a few minutes of research can save you from major headaches in the long haul.
All auto transporters are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation and must have an active USDOT and MC number.
The only exception are forwarders or brokers, who only have MC numbers.
To check the credentials of a transport company, search by their company name, DOT number and MC number at www.safersys.org.
In addition to verifying that their USDOT and MC numbers are valid, make sure that the carrier is specifically credentialed to transport motor vehicles.
Verify liability and cargo insurance
Along with being registered with the Department of Transportation, all carriers are required to have COMMERCIAL liability and cargo insurance.
Although the amounts of coverage vary, you should request written proof of a transporter’s coverage before hiring them.
You can confirm insurance information on www.safersys.org or by calling the transporter’s insurance company.
The insurance should be current and should adequately cover the value of your car. Ask about any limits on the insurance, and if it is necessary, request additional coverage.
MotorCycle Transport link:
http://www.uship.com/motorcycles/articles/Choosing-a-motorcycle-transporter/
You should choose your motorcycle transporter based on their authority, insurance, and experience. Only once you verify carriers’ credentials should you start to compare quotes and service levels. There are enough legal, experienced motorcycle carriers available that you should have no problem finding one that fits your needs.
Verify transport authority
All legal motorcycle carriers are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation.
A carrier’s authority can be verified by checking their DOT and MC numbers at www.safersys.org.
In addition to checking your motorcycle transporter’s registration, verify that they are legally allowed to ship motor vehicles.
Check insurance coverage
All motorcycle transporters should carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage. You should ask your carrier for a copy of their certificate of insurance. On this document, you will find the details of their insurance policy along with contact information for the insurance company. Check the information provided on the certificate with the insurance company listed or through the Department of Transportation at www.safersys.org.
Household Goods link:
http://www.uship.com/moving/articles/investigating-moving-companies/
Moving an entire household is stressful enough without having to deal with a disreputable moving company. When hiring professional movers, time spent investigating a company can save you a lot of money and heartache. You should know that the movers you hire are credentialed, insured, and experienced.
Verify transportation authority
Before considering a moving company, ensure they are legally registered as a mover. The Department of Transportation requires all household moving companies to have USDOT or MC numbers. All legal movers should provide you with these numbers, which you can verify on http://www.safersys.org. At this site you can search by company name or USDOT number to make sure that your mover is credentialed to provide household moving services.
Check insurance coverage
In addition to being registered with the Department of Transportation, all household moving companies are required to carry a minimum amount of liability and cargo insurance. Coverage varies from mover to mover, so be sure to ask for each company's specific policy.
A moving company should be able to provide you with written proof of their insurance coverage, called a Certificate of Insurance. Confirming a mover's insurance is easy: just look them up on http://www.safersys.org or call the insurance company listed on the certificate. You should also be able to purchase additional insurance from the moving company, which is highly recommended.
For Household Movers, you can also go to these links to do your research
http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/hhg/Search.asp?ads=
http://ai.volpe.dot.gov/hhg/search.asp
Pet and Livestock transport link:
http://www.uship.com/Pets/articles/choosing-a-pet-transporter/
Like any other professional shipping service, pet transporters are bound by strict federal, state, and local regulations. Because pet transporters are responsible for shipping live animals, the requirements for licensing and certification can be very stringent. Before trusting your pet with a transporter, make sure they have the correct authority, experience, and knowledge to safely transport your pet.
What authority and licenses are required for a pet transporter?
A pet transporter must be licensed by the USDA as a dealer, carrier, or intermediate handler if they are transporting "regulated" animals. If an animal is unregulated, such as a bird, fish, or reptile, an animal transporter does not need to be licensed by the USDA. Regulations vary animal-to-animal, so make sure you hire a transporter with the proper authority to ship your pet.
In addition to being licensed, your carrier should provide a minimum amount of insurance. Usually this is one to five hundred dollars per pet. Pet transportation insurance should cover loss, injury, or death of your pet during the trip. Usually, insurance will not cover illness or natural death during transportation.
Experience
In addition to being properly licensed and insured, your carrier should have experience with your type of animal. A pet shipper used to handling horses may not be able to ship your snake properly. Make sure to choose a transporter that specializes in your animal, so you know they have the proper knowledge and experience.
Questions to ask your pet transporter:
How long have you been transporting pets?
What are your policies and procedures?
Are you licensed and insured?
How often do you stay in contact with me during the trip?
What are your fees?
How often do you let out the animals?
What do you do with animals that stay with you overnight?
What supplies should I pack with my pet?
Freight shipping link:
http://www.uship.com/freight/articles/finding-a-freight-carrier/
Finding a Freight Carrier
A freight carrier is the company or person who directly handles your shipment. If you are shipping LTL or international freight, several carriers may handle your shipment. For some shipments, you might hire a freight broker or a freight carrier—companies that contract with a network of carriers to arrange for your freight shipment.
It’s often best to hire a freight carrier directly. Freight carriers are usually small companies or independent owner-operators who offer great services at reasonable prices.
Check Authority, Insurance, and Business Records
The first thing to check when hiring a freight carrier is their authority. A carrier must be authorized by the Department of Transportation to transport goods for hire, and should have a USDOT and MC number that can be verified on safersys.org, unless they are a freight broker or freight forwarder. A freight broker or forwarder will only have a MC number. You can look up any company’s credentials by DOT number, MC number, or company name.
Next, verify your carrier’s cargo insurance. All freight haulers are required to carry a minimum amount of insurance, but you may want to purchase additional coverage from a third party. Ask your freight hauler for their claims-to-damage ratio. This statistic reveals the percentage of claims that have been paid as a result of loss, damage, or theft. A reliable company should have a claims-to-damage rate of 1.5 percent or lower.
Finally, look at a freight carrier’s transaction history. Do they have a positive reputation among fellow transport companies and previous customers? Any reputable freight hauler should be able to provide references from previous customers. You may also want to look up the company on the Better Business Bureau website to see if any complaints have been lodged against them.
Direct links to assist you with the instructions above.
http://www.safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx
Provides you a company’s safety record & the list of commodities they have registered with the FMCSA to transport
http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain
Provides you a Carrier Insurance coverage information and the type of authority they hold.
Common
Contract
Broker
!!Protect yourself and your property!!
Did you acquire and VERIFY the validity of your chosen Carrier's FEDERALLY MANDATED DOT & MC #'s as per the UShip User Agreement?
http://www.uship.com/user_agreement.aspx
Note: Did you know that NO active "MC #" = No COMMERCIAL insurance?
OOPS !!!!!!!
INTERSTATE" transport requires an ACTIVE "MC" number! You verify it at the Government's "REAL TIME" web site: http://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov/LIVIEW/pkg_html.prc_limain
Still don't understand? Read this:
http://forums.uship.com/Topic46915-14-1.aspx
