Insurance

[Bradley M. Snook]

David, it could be a complicated issue because there are really four parties
involved: the buyers, sellers, movers, and the insurers. If any damage is
done during the move, it is naturally the movers responsibility to have
insurance to cover the damage. This assumes that the mover is responsible
for any and all damage; it is often the case that a mover will have only
limited liability (usually only so much per pound). If you want full
coverage for a mistake that they might make, there is often a higher premium
to pay. Piano movers who ONLY do pianos may have their insurance set up
differently, but the point is you need to be aware of your actual coverage.

If a piano is totaled, and insurance pays out on a claim, then the piano
belongs to the insurance company. The sellers would keep their money since
the transaction has already taken place, and the buyers would get reimbursed
by the mover's insurance company. But the situation could get really ugly if
people are unwilling to play nicely.

HINT: there is something wrong if the movers can not answer your question
properly. Movers damage things all the time; it is simply a part of the job.

Bradley M. Snook



David Ilvedson:
I am selling a Stein M and the piano will need to be craned out from a 2nd
story porch.  Question: How does insurance work in this case.  i.e. will the
buyers get their $ back and the mover a broken piano if it is dropped from
the crane?  I am inquiring with movers and they all say they've been asked
this before!