Claims Policy

SUNSHINE MOVERS POLICIES AND LIMITS OF LIABILITY

Sunshine Movers of Sarasota LLC reserves the right to withhold liability in particular cases as described below. Please read through carefully to better understand our limits of liability.

Claim: Any damage claims must be submitted in written form via email to info@SunshineMovers.com within 60 days of your moving date. Each claim must include pictures, description of the damages, and how they may have occurred. We promise to thoroughly investigate and respond to all claims within 5 business days, provided all applicable moving payments have been received. Please note that it is illegal for customers to deduct money from their final bill to compensate themselves for perceived damages. Should our movers not be compensated for their services, we reserve the right to refuse to process a claim.

Duration of valuation coverage: Coverage options for your move are included for the duration in which your items are in the custody and care of Sunshine movers. At no time will valuation coverage offered from Sunshine Movers extend to your items once the items are out of the custody and care of Sunshine Movers.

Missing items: Sunshine movers assume no liability for lost or missing items unless an inventory report is written by our staff. Upon request of written inventory, a member of our crew will inventory each box & furniture item. This may affect total cost depending on the extent of inventory.

Concealable valuables: Per Policy, our staff does not pack or move any concealable valuables such as Jewelry, coins or currencies without properly documenting & inventorying items which must be requested prior to your move date.

Valuables: Sunshine Movers shall not be responsible for loss or damage to bills, checks, evidence of debt, letters of credit, passports, tickets, documents, manuscripts, notes, mechanical drawings, securities, currency, money, precious stones, jewelry, or other similar valuables. All customers take full responsibility for moving the above-mentioned valuables themselves. It is the client's responsibility to remove the described valuables from furniture as well as areas in which employees of Sunshine Movers will be present during the move as Sunshine Movers will assume zero responsibility for missing valuables that are not documented prior to the move.

PBO (Packed by owner): Sunshine Movers does not assume liability higher than .60 cents per pound for boxes, cartons and totes packed by owner. Sunshine Movers must pack the items to assume liability higher than .60 cents per pound for the items during the move.

Simulated Wood Furniture: Sunshine Movers assumes liability no higher than .60 cents per pound for items made of particle board, engineered wood, or pressboard as these items are made to be shipped disassembled. These items are typically built in a manner that cannot withstand the force and movement of an average move. We can and will handle these items with the highest level of care. However, there is no guarantee that the item will move without damage regardless of how it is moved.

Natural Stone: Sunshine Movers assumes liability no higher than .60 cents per pound for items made of marble, granite, alabaster, glass, or any other natural stone material unless they are professionally packed and crated. Stone items have imperfections that create weak spots. For this reason, we must crate these items with wood to properly secure them without risk of damage or crumbling. Please note we will help move these items without crating however we assume no liability above .60 cents per pound for damage.

Unpacked items: Sunshine Movers assumes liability no higher than .60 cents per pound for unpacked or loose articles. This includes televisions, lamps, glassware, mirrors, etc. We will however move unpacked items upon request with care, however in the event of damage these items will be compensated at .60 cents per pound.

Improperly packed items: Sunshine Movers assumes liability no higher than .60 cents per pound for damage or loss of items that are improperly packed such as items packed in garbage bags, bins, baskets etc.

Electrical Goods: Sunshine movers will not be liable for internal damage to electronic goods if no external damage has been caused. Certain electronics may develop unavoidable faults no matter how carefully they are handled.

Pre-existing damage: Sunshine Movers assumes no liability higher than 60. cents per pound for Items with pre-existing damage to include previously repaired items.

Fragile Items: Dish-ware, porcelain, glasses, pictures, lamp shades, and other specialty items are limited to .60 cents per pound unless packed by our professional movers using appropriate packing materials. You are welcome to purchase your own packing materials (packing paper, cartons, tape, etc.) and pack such items yourself prior to your move, and our movers will take great precaution to ensure they are transported as safely as possible; however liability will be limited to .60 cents per pound.

Pole Lamps: Sunshine Movers assumes no liability higher than .60 cents per pound for pole lamps with deteriorated or cracked weight at the bottom. These weights are held together with plastic that deteriorates quickly over time and in some cases falls apart upon picking the lamp up.

Boxed Items: It is the customer’s responsibility to inspect all boxes for physical damage upon their delivery prior to the movers’ departure. Sunshine Movers will not accept any claims of physical damage to boxes after its movers have left their assignment’s delivery location.

Self-inspection: It is the customer's responsibility, before signing their final receipt prior to the movers leaving, (i) to inspect their belongings to ensure they were delivered in good condition, and (ii) to inspect the truck’s interior to ensure that nothing has been left behind in the truck(s).

Downtime: All downtime during the move (waiting for elevators to be set up or arrive, for new keys to be delivered, traffic, weather etc.) is billable unless otherwise specified.

Manufacturer requirements: Items that require special handling according to manufacturer must be detailed and documented with your move coordinator prior to the move. This includes but not limited to mattresses that cannot be stood up on their side. Sunshine Movers will not assume liability higher than .60 cents per pound for damages related to improper handling unless the manufacturer's requirements are discussed and detailed prior to move date.

Risky Tasks: Our movers will not be held responsible for damage caused by non-routine moving practices, including but not limited to: standing pieces on end to maneuver, sharp turns, over-crowded work areas, crooked stairways, snags and sharp edges in work areas and doorways, passing items over balconies and railings, and tight squeezes.

Unavoidable Damages: Weather-related damages, or damages occurring as the result of an item’s size in comparison to the width or height of a hallway, doorway, stairs, elevators, or similar areas are not covered in any way. Our movers can still attempt to move the item in question should you desire, but they will not be responsible for any damages that may occur and may ask you to sign a waiver first. If at any time you then want the crew to stop, say so and they will.

Absent Customers: Shipper or client must be present to sign the bill of lading at the beginning and end of moving service. We encourage our customers to remain with our crew throughout the entire moving process for any questions that may arise during the move. If the client is not present during the unloading process, the move may go longer than estimated without direction from the shipper.

Improper cartons: Sunshine movers assume no liability greater than .60 cents per pound for items packed in improper cartons such as plastic totes, laundry baskets, open boxes, used/worn cartons or items packed inside drawers of furniture.

Furniture with items inside: All furniture should be emptied of all contents prior to move day. Should Sunshine Movers handle furniture with items inside, liability is limited to .60 cents per pound if furniture is damaged during transit.

Mechanical parts unknown: Sunshine Movers assumes no liability for inner working & mechanical parts of electronics, appliances or any other item without showing physical damage to the item. Loss of Value: Our coverage does not cover any loss of value due to damage and subsequent repairs.

Structural Damage: Our liability is limited to up to $250.00 for damage to floors, walls, doors, and painted surfaces unless otherwise noted.

Extended limits of liability for structural damage: Sunshine movers may extend the limit of liability for damages to floors, walls, doors and other areas of the home that may be damaged during the move. Please note in most situations' liability is extended once the floor has been professionally protected with construction style floor protection. Sunshine Movers will assist with this upon request.

Limits of liability to set or pair: Sunshine movers will not be liable for damage to or the loss of a complete set or unit when only part of such a set is damaged or lost. Should such damage occur, we are liable only for the damaged piece or pieces.

No Liability: Our company assumes no liability whatsoever should the client or others assist or interfere in any aspect of the moving labor.

Damages Caused by nail, screw or staple protruding from item: Sunshine movers of Sarasota limits liability to .60 cents per pound for damages if caused by nail, screw or staple protruding from item(s). The most common example being a dresser leg with nail sticking out of the bottom and scratching the floor it stands on.

Plumbing Issues: Sunshine Movers are not liable for any plumbing-related issues that may occur during your move. This includes waterlines, washing machines, dish washing machines, waterbeds etc. If you need help disconnecting or reconnecting your appliances, you must hire a licensed plumber who has the proper insurance for this task. If you have us move a refrigerator, washing machine or any other water related appliance, it is your responsibility to hire a licensed plumber to ensure that your pipes are properly closed.

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SUNSHINE MOVERS DISCLAIMERS

Due to liability concerns, Sunshine Movers will not provide assembling services for childs cribs. 

Sunshine Movers do not mount flat-screen TVs on a wall or hang art/mirrors on the wall, nor can we bolt or unbolt items from walls or ceilings. 

Sunshine Movers do not connect or disconnect washing machines, drying machines, dishwashers, freezers, or fridges. All appliances must be disconnected and drained prior to our movers’ arrival. 

Please note, according to Workers’ Compensation and employee safety issues, all of our movers must wear shoes at all times. Sunshine Movers cannot be held responsible for soiled carpets or floors due to inclement weather.

COVERAGE OPTIONS, TERMS & AGREEMENT

Sunshine Movers offers two separate options of coverage for your items while in our care. Please read carefully and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding the coverage for your items.

A.)  Released Value: Included on all moves free of charge.

State and federal regulations set the minimum coverage of your items to be set at sixty cents per pound. This means your items are valued based on the weight rather than actual value. Your belongings are covered up to $0.60 per pound if damaged. Should an item of 100 lbs be damaged, you are eligible for up to $60 in compensation or repairs. 

1. At our discretion, Sunshine Movers agrees to repair, replace or purchase any damaged item up to its current value within limits of liability.

‍B.)  Full Value Protection: Full value protection is available at additional cost.

Under Full value protection, if any article is destroyed or damaged while in the care of Sunshine Movers, at our discretion, we will offer to repair the item, replace with a similar item or make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market replacement value.

1. The customer must submit an inventory of all high value assets with a value that exceeds $100 per pound. 
2. The coverage cost is determined based on the estimated value of the shipment. This measurement is set at .89 percent of the declared value: Example: If the customer listed $15,000 as the current replacement value for their items, the coverage cost would be $133.50 ($15,000 x 0.0089). 
3. The value of your shipment must be a minimum of $5 per pound of the estimated weight of your shipment. Example: If your shipment weighs 3,000 pounds, your value must be set at a minimum of $15,000 (3,000 x $5).