246 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the minimum insurance coverage required for household
goods carriers in California? ANSWER $750,000 combined single limit for
bodily injury and property damage, plus $25,000 for cargo insurance.
2. Q: How often must a household goods carrier file their tariff with the
California Public Utilities Commission? ANSWER At least 30 days before
the effective date of any changes.
3. Q: What is the maximum penalty for operating as a household goods
carrier without proper authority? ANSWER Up to $5,000 per violation and
possible criminal charges.
4. Q: Who regulates household goods movers in California? ANSWER The
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
5. Q: What type of permit is required to operate as a household goods
carrier in California? ANSWER A Household Goods Carrier Permit from the
CPUC.
6. Q: How long is a household goods carrier permit valid? ANSWER One
year from the date of issuance.
7. Q: What is required to renew a household goods carrier permit?
ANSWER Submit renewal application, proof of insurance, updated tariff, and
applicable fees.
8. Q: What is the minimum age requirement for a household goods mover
driver? ANSWER 18 years old with a valid California driver's license.
9. Q: Are household goods carriers required to provide written estimates?
ANSWER Yes, all estimates must be provided in writing before the move
begins.
,10. Q: What is the time limit for filing claims against household goods
carriers? ANSWER Claims must be filed within 9 months of delivery or
scheduled delivery date.
11. Q: What information must be included on a household goods carrier
permit? ANSWER Carrier name, permit number, expiration date, and types of
authority granted.
12. Q: Can a household goods carrier subcontract work to unlicensed
carriers? ANSWER No, all subcontractors must hold valid household goods
carrier permits.
13. Q: What is the required format for household goods tariffs? ANSWER
Must follow CPUC-prescribed format and include all rates, rules, and charges.
14. Q: How long must household goods carriers retain customer records?
ANSWER Minimum of 3 years from the date of service.
15. Q: What is the penalty for failing to provide required insurance
coverage? ANSWER Immediate suspension of operating authority and fines
up to $5,000.
16. Q: Are household goods carriers required to register with the
California Department of Transportation? ANSWER Yes, if operating
vehicles over 10,001 pounds GVWR.
17. Q: What is the maximum allowable variance from a binding estimate?
ANSWER No variance is allowed on binding estimates.
18. Q: What constitutes a "household good" under California regulations?
ANSWER Personal effects and property used in a dwelling when part of the
equipment or supply of such dwelling.
19. Q: Can household goods carriers charge for packing materials not
used? ANSWER No, charges must only reflect materials actually used in the
move.
20. Q: What is required for interstate moves originating in California?
ANSWER Federal DOT authority in addition to California permits.
21. Q: How much advance notice must customers receive before rate
increases? ANSWER Minimum 30 days written notice.
22. Q: What is the maximum amount a carrier can charge for storage in
transit? ANSWER As specified in their filed tariff, not to exceed reasonable
costs.
, 23. Q: Are household goods carriers required to provide cargo insurance?
ANSWER Yes, minimum $25,000 coverage for loss or damage to customer
goods.
24. Q: What documentation must drivers carry during moves? ANSWER
Valid driver's license, carrier permit copy, insurance certificates, and bill of
lading.
25. Q: Can carriers charge extra fees not listed in their tariff? ANSWER
No, all charges must be specified in the filed tariff.
26. Q: What is the required format for bills of lading? ANSWER Must
include all required elements as specified in CPUC regulations.
27. Q: How long do carriers have to respond to customer complaints?
ANSWER Within 30 days of receipt.
28. Q: What is the maximum storage period before goods can be sold?
ANSWER 180 days after proper notice to the customer.
29. Q: Are carriers required to provide inventory lists? ANSWER Yes,
detailed inventory must be provided for all shipments.
30. Q: What is the minimum liability coverage for customer goods?
ANSWER $0.60 per pound per article unless higher value is declared.
31. Q: Can carriers refuse service based on distance? ANSWER Only if
outside their certificated operating territory.
32. Q: What training is required for household goods movers? ANSWER
No specific training requirements, but drivers must be qualified and competent.
33. Q: How often must carriers update their tariffs? ANSWER When rates
or services change, with 30-day advance notice.
34. Q: What is the penalty for overcharging customers? ANSWER Refund
of overcharge plus potential fines and permit suspension.
35. Q: Are electronic signatures acceptable on moving contracts? ANSWER
Yes, if they comply with California Electronic Signature Act.
36. Q: What information must be provided in moving estimates? ANSWER
All potential charges, services included, and customer rights and
responsibilities.
37. Q: Can carriers charge for travel time between locations? ANSWER
Only if specified in their tariff and disclosed to customer.
1. Q: What is the minimum insurance coverage required for household
goods carriers in California? ANSWER $750,000 combined single limit for
bodily injury and property damage, plus $25,000 for cargo insurance.
2. Q: How often must a household goods carrier file their tariff with the
California Public Utilities Commission? ANSWER At least 30 days before
the effective date of any changes.
3. Q: What is the maximum penalty for operating as a household goods
carrier without proper authority? ANSWER Up to $5,000 per violation and
possible criminal charges.
4. Q: Who regulates household goods movers in California? ANSWER The
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
5. Q: What type of permit is required to operate as a household goods
carrier in California? ANSWER A Household Goods Carrier Permit from the
CPUC.
6. Q: How long is a household goods carrier permit valid? ANSWER One
year from the date of issuance.
7. Q: What is required to renew a household goods carrier permit?
ANSWER Submit renewal application, proof of insurance, updated tariff, and
applicable fees.
8. Q: What is the minimum age requirement for a household goods mover
driver? ANSWER 18 years old with a valid California driver's license.
9. Q: Are household goods carriers required to provide written estimates?
ANSWER Yes, all estimates must be provided in writing before the move
begins.
,10. Q: What is the time limit for filing claims against household goods
carriers? ANSWER Claims must be filed within 9 months of delivery or
scheduled delivery date.
11. Q: What information must be included on a household goods carrier
permit? ANSWER Carrier name, permit number, expiration date, and types of
authority granted.
12. Q: Can a household goods carrier subcontract work to unlicensed
carriers? ANSWER No, all subcontractors must hold valid household goods
carrier permits.
13. Q: What is the required format for household goods tariffs? ANSWER
Must follow CPUC-prescribed format and include all rates, rules, and charges.
14. Q: How long must household goods carriers retain customer records?
ANSWER Minimum of 3 years from the date of service.
15. Q: What is the penalty for failing to provide required insurance
coverage? ANSWER Immediate suspension of operating authority and fines
up to $5,000.
16. Q: Are household goods carriers required to register with the
California Department of Transportation? ANSWER Yes, if operating
vehicles over 10,001 pounds GVWR.
17. Q: What is the maximum allowable variance from a binding estimate?
ANSWER No variance is allowed on binding estimates.
18. Q: What constitutes a "household good" under California regulations?
ANSWER Personal effects and property used in a dwelling when part of the
equipment or supply of such dwelling.
19. Q: Can household goods carriers charge for packing materials not
used? ANSWER No, charges must only reflect materials actually used in the
move.
20. Q: What is required for interstate moves originating in California?
ANSWER Federal DOT authority in addition to California permits.
21. Q: How much advance notice must customers receive before rate
increases? ANSWER Minimum 30 days written notice.
22. Q: What is the maximum amount a carrier can charge for storage in
transit? ANSWER As specified in their filed tariff, not to exceed reasonable
costs.
, 23. Q: Are household goods carriers required to provide cargo insurance?
ANSWER Yes, minimum $25,000 coverage for loss or damage to customer
goods.
24. Q: What documentation must drivers carry during moves? ANSWER
Valid driver's license, carrier permit copy, insurance certificates, and bill of
lading.
25. Q: Can carriers charge extra fees not listed in their tariff? ANSWER
No, all charges must be specified in the filed tariff.
26. Q: What is the required format for bills of lading? ANSWER Must
include all required elements as specified in CPUC regulations.
27. Q: How long do carriers have to respond to customer complaints?
ANSWER Within 30 days of receipt.
28. Q: What is the maximum storage period before goods can be sold?
ANSWER 180 days after proper notice to the customer.
29. Q: Are carriers required to provide inventory lists? ANSWER Yes,
detailed inventory must be provided for all shipments.
30. Q: What is the minimum liability coverage for customer goods?
ANSWER $0.60 per pound per article unless higher value is declared.
31. Q: Can carriers refuse service based on distance? ANSWER Only if
outside their certificated operating territory.
32. Q: What training is required for household goods movers? ANSWER
No specific training requirements, but drivers must be qualified and competent.
33. Q: How often must carriers update their tariffs? ANSWER When rates
or services change, with 30-day advance notice.
34. Q: What is the penalty for overcharging customers? ANSWER Refund
of overcharge plus potential fines and permit suspension.
35. Q: Are electronic signatures acceptable on moving contracts? ANSWER
Yes, if they comply with California Electronic Signature Act.
36. Q: What information must be provided in moving estimates? ANSWER
All potential charges, services included, and customer rights and
responsibilities.
37. Q: Can carriers charge for travel time between locations? ANSWER
Only if specified in their tariff and disclosed to customer.
