Released Value Protection
Definition
The free, minimum liability coverage: $0.60 per pound per damaged item. A 50-pound TV worth $1,000 would pay out just $30. Required to be offered by all interstate movers at no charge.
Released value protection is the baseline level of mover liability required by federal regulation. It is provided at no additional cost, but the coverage is extremely limited.
The rate is fixed at $0.60 per pound per article. This means the payout is based on the weight of the individual damaged item, not its value. Heavy items with low value (old dressers, bookcases) may receive reasonable payouts, but lightweight valuable items (electronics, jewelry, artwork) receive almost nothing.
Examples: a 50-pound flat-screen TV worth $1,500 pays $30. A 10-pound laptop worth $2,000 pays $6. A 200-pound antique armoire worth $5,000 pays $120.
To select released value, you must sign a specific written acknowledgment. The mover is required by law to explain both released value and full value protection options before you make a decision.
Released value may be appropriate if: your belongings have low total value, you have homeowner's or renter's insurance that covers items in transit, or you are purchasing third-party moving insurance for better coverage.