--- title: Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/your-rights-and-responsibilities/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Your rights and responsibilities when you move (FMCSA) # Your rights and responsibilities when you move Federal rules give you the right to a written estimate, a signed inventory, a free reweigh and an arbitration route for claims, and they ask you to read every document and be present at pickup and delivery. Your mover must hand you the FMCSA booklet Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move with the estimate. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The booklet runs to dozens of pages, and most people never open it. This guide pulls out the parts that decide how a move goes, with the rule behind each one so you can look it up. ## What your mover owes you before you book Before an interstate move, you should receive a written estimate, the FMCSA Ready to Move brochure, information about the mover's arbitration program, written notice about access to the tariff and the process for handling claims, and the Rights and Responsibilities booklet itself. A verbal quote is not an official estimate because it is not in writing, and the estimate must be dated and signed by you and the mover. Federal rules also require a physical survey of your goods before the written estimate, in person or by video, unless you waive it in writing before loading. ## Your rights during the move - A written inventory of every carton and item, with condition notes, signed by you and the mover, with a copy for you. - A bill of lading that states the terms of the contract, and a copy from the driver before or at loading. - The right to be present at each weighing and to request a reweigh at no charge before unloading. - At least 24 hours of notice before delivery, with exceptions you agree to. - A choice of liability: Full Value Protection or the waiver at 60 cents per pound per article. - Arbitration for loss and damage claims, if the mover cannot settle them with you. ## Your responsibilities The booklet says plainly that the primary responsibility for protecting your move lies with you. It asks you to read every document the mover issues, be available at pickup and delivery or appoint a representative, tell the mover promptly about changes such as new dates or added items, pay in the form agreed in the bill of lading, and file claims promptly. Do not sign blank documents, and sign incomplete ones only where information cannot be known before loading, such as the final weight. ## If something goes wrong Claims for loss or damage must be filed in writing within 9 months of delivery. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge a claim and 120 days to give you a disposition. FMCSA regulates movers but cannot settle a claim for you, so the next step after a failed settlement is arbitration, which the mover must offer on claims of 10,000 dollars or less, or a civil suit. Details are in the [claim guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-file-a-moving-claim/). ## How this fits Nevada moves These rules cover interstate moves, which includes a move between Nevada and California. Moves that start and end in Nevada follow a tariff approved by the Nevada Transportation Authority. O'Brien's holds U.S. DOT No. 30611 and MC-109375 for interstate work and Nevada CPCN 1070 for moves inside the state; see [licenses and operating authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375, Appendix A](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [The bill of lading, explained](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/) - [The moving inventory and high-value items form](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) - [How to file a moving damage claim](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-file-a-moving-claim/) - [Licenses and operating authority: USDOT 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Moving guides ## Read next - [The bill of lading, explained](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/) - [How to check a mover's USDOT and MC number](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-check-a-movers-usdot-number/) - [Mover vs moving broker: how to tell](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker/) - [How to choose a moving company](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-moving-company/) - [Questions to ask a mover before you book](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/questions-to-ask-movers/) - [How to file a moving damage claim](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-file-a-moving-claim/) - [The moving inventory and high-value items form](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-inventory/) - [Pickup and delivery spreads on long-distance moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/delivery-spread-explained/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Where do I get the FMCSA booklet? Your mover must give you a copy or a link with the written estimate. It is also in the Code of Federal Regulations as Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 375. ### Can I waive the home survey? Yes, but the waiver must be in writing and signed before loading. A survey is what makes an estimate accurate, so most customers keep it. ### Does FMCSA settle disputes? No. FMCSA regulates movers, but you resolve a claim with your mover, through its arbitration program, or in court. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070