Verify your mover of choice has an active license:
Clicking on the image, below, links you to:The State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, The Bureau of Household Goods and Services website (BHGS)
1) Once you reach the BHGS website, click on the first link option labeled "License Search for Household Movers" and link to BHGS's DCA Search Page.
2) Follow instructions on the DCA Search Page to immediately learn if a particular Mover is properly licensed and insured, as mandated by State law.
Why All The Fuss About Hiring A Licensed Mover?
I feel it's important to take a moment to inform consumers of key points that distinguish a legitimate moving concern from one that operates outside the law, without any regard for how negatively it may impact the customer, himself. It's important for consumers to avoid the potential, whereby; an injured employee, for example, of an illegal moving company initiates a lawsuit against the consumer for damages, after discovering the illegal owner-operator doesn't hold an active Workman's Compensation policy, as mandated by State law.
Best Priced Moving and Storage Co., Inc. (CAL. P.U.C. T-191400), has met all requirements to operate as a licensed Household Goods Carrier, in the state of California. The Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) licenses and regulates the movement of household goods and personal effects, within the state. For BPM, earning the right to work as a licensed household goods carrier didn't come easy as some might, otherwise, imagine. Aside from going through a rigorous application process, which required proving our financial and safety fitness, we also had to prove our ability to thoroughly comprehend applicable rules and tariff-rate tables, designed to address all possible moving scenarios. Among other requirements, we also had to take and pass a mandatory 7-hour examination, with a minimum 80% score.
I'm making note of this for the primary purpose of having you, our prospect, appreciate the fact that when you hire a mover you should proceed with caution and forethought. Knowing that your chosen mover operates legally elicits a higher degree of trust and confidence that your move will be completed safely and efficiently and at a cost that's fair and equitable. In the same way you wouldn't hire an auto-body repairman to set a broken leg or a bus driver to pilot a 747, you should only move forward with your decision after ensuring that the mover is properly licensed and insured - this is the only way to have complete peace of mind, especially, as your contract agreement is consummated and work begins.
Here's a list of absolutes that will help you distinguish a licensed mover from one who is non-licensed (FYI: Many California-based movers are either inactive or never qualified for a license, altogether):
- • Complete a Fictitious Business Name filing with the county clerk
- • Pass the multi-part Max-4 examination, with a minimum 80% scoring average
- • Fingerprint scan and criminal background clearance (i.e. Calif. Dept. of Justice, FBI)
- • Present documented proof of truck maintenance and related safety records
- • Procure a valid motor carrier permit, as issued by the DMV
- • Acquire a Pull Notice Contract from the DMV(data-base access to driving records)
- • Proof of Personal Liability Insurance; electronically filed with the CPUC
- • Proof of Property Damage Insurance; electronically filed with the CPUC
- • Proof of Cargo Insurance; electronically filed with the CPUC
- • Proof of Workmen's Compensation Insurance; electronically filed with the CPUC