To be prepared for the unexpected, Universal Cargo offers the most extensive insurance coverage against possible risks arising from the handling, transportation and storage of your goods, from the point of origin to their final destination. This coverage includes the following additional events:

• Storage in transit
• Shipment of automobiles
• Pairs and sets coverage
• Electronic or mechanical breakdown
• Mould and Mildew

•  Please consider that, in the event of loss or damage to items in your shipment, you will most likely be repairing or replacing these at destination. If your shipment is destined for the United States, replace­ment costs of goods of like, kind, and quality could be less than those in your country of origin. Conversely, the cost to replace goods outside the United States could be significantly higher. Many times your employer can assist in determining how to value your household items for insurance purposes.

•  Coverage can be provided for most lawful items normally associated with the contents of your residence. Don't declare a value for living things, perishables, money, securities, valuable papers, documents or data stored on tapes or disks as these items are excluded from coverage. Also, since reimbursement for items of sentimental value is limited to the estimated re-sale value of such items, don't overvalue them. We recommend that you carry these items with you or that you simply refrain from shipping them.

•  You may insure your household goods by providing a full inventory of items within your residence and value them at the estimated replacement cost at destination. You may either use any form you have available including inventories contained in various computer programs.

•  Please note that the insurance premium is based on the value of the items declared. If items are not declared, there will be no coverage for them if they are lost or damaged.

•  If you note that there are 3 items in a category and declare the total value to be $7,500, we will consider the value of each item to be $2,500. If, however, one of those items has a value of $5,000, you will want to separately declare that item so we can reimburse you accordingly in the event of loss or damage to that particular item.

•  If you ship your automobile, your motorcycle or boat, please consider that these items are to be valued in a slightly different fashion than household goods. You should declare what it would cost to purchase a similar item at destination taking into consideration the year and condition of your automobile, motorcycle, or boat. Please note that the value of imported autos, motorcycles, or boats may be considerably higher than the value at origin.

•  The value of non-factory installed accessories must be listed separately as they can affect the true value. Examples of such items include: sound systems, security systems, special tires/wheels, or motors (for boats). When you release your vehicle to the moving company, make sure a “certificate of condition” is filled out and agreed to. This will be the proof of the condition of your vehicle at the time you surrendered it to them. When your auto is received at destination, you should compare this original form to the condition of the auto when received and document any differences in writing.

•  Note also that your vehicle should not be used as a packing container . Items packed inside the vehicle are specifically excluded from this insurance protection.

•  If your goods were already packed or in storage at the time you requested insurance protection, coverage begins at the time your mover receives your request to arrange insurance on your shipment.

•  If you have requested to arrange transportation on a door-to-door basis, coverage continues through the ordinary course of transit until your shipment is delivered and unloaded at your new residence. If your shipment is placed in storage for longer than the storage period provided in your policy, you should extend your coverage and remit the appropriate premium to keep coverage in effect.

•  If you have contracted moving services on a door-to-port basis, coverage will cease when your shipment arrives at the port.

•  Like all insurance policies, this kind of insurance contains exclusions. These exclusions are consistent with those found in your personal insurance policies. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the policy for the official policy language. However, be especially aware of the following exclusions:

• Breakage, scratching, denting, chipping, staining and tearing of goods you packed yourself.

• Damage caused by wear and tear or gradual deterioration.

• Loss or damage caused by inherent vice.

• Depreciation in value caused by substandard repairs.

• Radiation or radioactive contamination

• Pairs & Sets: The standard policy will pay only for that part of a pair or set that is actually damaged or lost.

• Mechanical Breakdown: The standard policy excludes coverage for equipment that is dis­covered to be inoperable at your destination unless there is clear evidence of damage to the item itself or the shipping container.

• Mould & Mildew: The standard policy excludes coverage for damage to items caused by mould or mildew resulting from a change in atmospheric conditions during transit.