When the moving truck is late, early, or part of your things never arrive

On an interstate move delivery is rarely one fixed day. It is usually a window of days, sometimes called the delivery spread, and the mover can arrive on any of them. What you are owed when things go wrong starts from what is written on the bill of lading, so read those dates before you sign.

The dates on the bill of lading

Agree the pickup and delivery dates before the move, and check that the bill of lading shows them. Once your shipment is loaded, the mover is bound to the service the bill of lading describes.

If the mover is going to be late

What a delay can get you

• Standard service: if the mover misses the dates and the delay leaves you with expenses you would not otherwise have had, such as a hotel or rented furniture, you may be able to recover them with a delay claim.
• Guaranteed service: an additional level of service with guaranteed dates. The bill of lading must state the penalty or daily payment you are due if pickup or delivery is late.
• Either way, file a delay claim with the mover promptly and in writing, keep every receipt, and write down when the mover told you about the delay and what it said.

If the truck arrives early

A mover that can deliver more than a day before the agreed date can ask you to take it early. You are free to say no.

If part of your shipment is missing

Note anything missing on the delivery paperwork before you sign it, then file a claim for it.

If nothing arrives

If the mover has your belongings and will not deliver them unless you pay more than it is allowed to ask, that is a different problem, with its own guide: the federal booklet says to call FMCSA immediately at (888) 368-7238.