Imagine this: you’re in the middle of a big move. Boxes are being loaded, furniture is being hauled, and suddenly—flashing lights. Your moving company has just been slapped with a parking ticket. Now what? In this blog post, we dive into dealing with this unexpected hiccup during your move, ensuring that even when things go astray, your relocation remains smooth and stress-free.
Who’s Liable when Moving Companies Get Parking Tickets?
Moving can be a stressful experience, and it is common to worry about additional costs associated with the move. One of those costs may include parking tickets that the moving company receives while parked during the move. So, the question arises: who is liable for the parking ticket charges, the moving company or the client?
According to most cities’ regulations, moving companies are responsible for paying for their own parking tickets. It is illegal for them to pass on these charges to the clients. However, it also depends on the kind of parking ticket issued and who is at fault.
In one instance, a client hired a moving company but did not obtain a permit for street parking in their city before they were due to move. The city issued a parking ticket because the moving truck was blocking traffic from passing. Since it was solely the client’s responsibility to obtain a permit before the move, they had to pay for the parking ticket and additional fees themselves.
On another occasion, a driver parked the moving truck in front of an expired meter for longer than permitted by city ordinance regulations resulting in a parking ticket with charges totalling $85. Because this situation was through no fault of either party directly, it comes down to regulating city policies and whether they choose to shift liability responsibility off of their citizens.
It’s important to clarify who will cover these fees before you sign any agreement with a moving company.
- According to Moving.com’s survey, about 28% of moving companies cite parking tickets as a major challenge they face during moves.
- It was found in this same survey that roughly 15% of customers have had experiences where their moving company was ticketed during their move.
- Studies have indicated that around 10–12% of moving costs can rise due to unforeseen issues such as parking penalties, if not handled properly by the moving company or the client.
Clarifying Liability: Client vs. Moving Services
It can be challenging to determine liability when it comes to moving companies getting parking tickets during moves. However, it generally falls upon either the client or the moving services themselves, depending on who caused or could have prevented the situation.
If the client does not obtain adequate permits or inform their local authorities that they plan on occupying public space in front of their home for loading purposes during their expected time, they can be held responsible for parking violations.
On the other hand, if the moving company drives or parks their vehicles illegally, then they are at fault.
To illustrate further, the moving company is responsible for ensuring that their truck and crew do not park near fire hydrants or block roadways to ensure they’re operating safely. In contrast, clients are responsible for obtaining permits and communicating with local authorities regarding preferred parking spots during transit.
It is always best to clarify who is liable for any costs and potential damages before the move. Proactively discussing arrangements beforehand will make it less likely to generate disagreements over liability after the fact.
Now that we have a better understanding of who is responsible for parking tickets during a move, let us explore some of the ways in which you can avoid these unexpected expenses altogether by creating contingency plans to prevent parking issues from arising during your move.
Contingency Plans to Avoid Parking Tickets
Parking tickets can throw a wrench in your moving day plans and add unexpected costs to your budget. To avoid this, it’s crucial to have contingency plans in place.
One of the most effective ways to avoid parking tickets is by obtaining the necessary permits from local authorities. Contact your city’s transportation or parking commission to inquire about requirements for parking permits on the day of the move. Some cities may require you to reserve a specific parking spot in advance, while others allow temporary permits for the moving truck or van.
It’s also essential to communicate with your neighbors about the move. Inform them about where the moving truck will park and ask them not to park their cars in that area on the day of the move. In case this isn’t possible, consider using cones or signs to mark off a designated parking area exclusively for the moving truck. This will help prevent any confusion and ensure that the moving process runs smoothly without any obstruction.
Another option can be hiring a professional parking attendant who can efficiently guide your moving truck driver to a safe and legal parking spot. Though it may add an additional cost, it can ultimately save you from unexpected parking fines and stress.
The Importance of Pre-Move Planning
Planning is key when it comes to avoiding unwanted problems during a move, especially concerning issues like parking tickets. It’s crucial to take enough time beforehand to understand all the necessary precautions you need to take ahead of time.
Start by researching parking regulations in your area, including any required permits or necessary steps to reserve a designated spot. Reach out to the appropriate authorities (such as your city’s transportation commission) and obtain any necessary paperwork weeks prior to the move date.
It can also be beneficial to map out the route for your moving truck to avoid unexpected fines related to things like blocked fire hydrants, restricted traffic lanes, or accidents due to speed. Plan your route carefully ahead of time and inform the movers about it.
Finally, consider additional insurance coverage (beyond that provided by the moving company) for your valuable assets being transported. This will help you in the event of potential damages during transit, whether they’re due to an accident or natural wear and tear.
Planning ahead is like assembling a puzzle; failing to plan properly can cause a chaotic experience that could have been easily avoided with proper precautionary measures. Taking the time and effort beforehand can make the move smoother and less stressful.
Now that we’ve talked about ways to prevent parking tickets, it’s also essential also to discuss what can go wrong and how you can handle unwanted events. For that, you need to have a better understanding beforehand of the moving company’s ticket.
Understanding Moving Company’s Ticket Policies
It is imperative to know what your moving company’s policies are on parking tickets since they can differ from one another. It is advisable to discuss this issue before the day of the move, so you have a clear understanding of their liability coverage and who will pay for the parking ticket.
Some moving companies may not include parking ticket charges in their initial quote. You need to ensure that they are transparent at the outset with their pricing approach. In some cases, they may charge according to how far away the truck needs to park from your building, and some may even add an additional fee for parking tickets. That said, it is important that customers understand their responsibilities as well, such as obtaining a parking permit if needed.
At Division1Moving, we take transparency seriously, and we work hard to ensure that our customers have a clear understanding of what they are getting into. Our pricing includes every detail of the move, including parking tickets if they are unfortunately incurred on your moving day.
Now that we have discussed the moving company’s policies regarding parking tickets, let us delve deeper into navigating through contractual regulations.
Navigating through Contractual Regulations
Contracts often determine how disputes will be handled between parties. Therefore, it becomes important to navigate through these agreements properly before entering into an agreement with a service provider. However, interpreting these agreements can be quite problematic, especially when dealing with technical legal wording.
It is vital to carefully read through all the fine print in contractual dealings with moving companies – thus avoiding any unseen surprises down the road. Remember that contractual language does not always work in the favor of clients rather than our partners in this industry.
At Division1Moving, we strive to provide our clients with legally binding agreements clearly stating how differing scenarios will be resolved in the case of a dispute or unexpected situations such as receiving a parking ticket during your move. We understand that no two moves are alike, which is why our approach to parking tickets and other logistical challenges is personalized.
Overall, it is important to keep in mind what contractual relationships might look like between customers and service providers. Customers should make sure they understand all the fine print before entering into an agreement with a moving company. It will save you a lot of stress and frustration when you avoid getting a parking ticket.
How to Handle Unexpected Parking Ticket Charges
Dealing with unexpected parking ticket charges during a move can be frustrating and stressful. However, there are ways to handle these situations effectively.
In one instance, a customer hired a moving company to transport their belongings across the city. Unfortunately, the moving truck was parked illegally in front of the apartment building where they were moving from, and upon returning to the vehicle, the movers discovered a parking ticket on the windshield.
The company had a policy stating that customers were responsible for all parking violations incurred during their move, but upon further examination of the fine print, it was clear that only tickets related to obtaining permits or permission to park fell under the customer’s liability.
After calling the moving company and explaining this situation, they eventually agreed to cover the cost of the parking ticket. This situation highlights the importance of fully understanding your moving contract and getting clarification on any discrepancies in policies.
It is important to remember that in most cases, if a parking ticket was obtained due to the fault of the moving company’s employees, ultimately, the moving company is responsible for covering all costs. However, if you neglected to obtain proper permits or did not alert your movers about potential parking issues beforehand, then you may be held liable for any tickets received.
Additionally, it is crucial to ask your moving company upfront about their policies surrounding parking violations and liability coverage for damages during transit. Basic liability coverage may not fully cover expensive items during transportation, so it’s essential to explore additional insurance options like renters’ or homeowners’ policies.
While it can be tempting to dispute parking tickets through municipal authorities or legal channels after receiving them during a move, it’s best practice to first attempt resolution with your moving company directly. Most companies will have some sort of recourse or process for handling unexpected charges like these.
Moreover, when contacting your mover regarding a parking ticket, be sure to approach the conversation politely and remain calm. A confrontational or argumentative demeanor may not yield the desired outcome and may even sour your relationship with the company.
It’s important to remember that unexpected incidents like parking tickets can occur during a move, much like how unforeseen circumstances arise in day-to-day life. In these cases, it’s always best to communicate effectively with all parties involved and work together towards a mutually beneficial solution.
While there are no foolproof ways to avoid parking violations entirely, careful planning and effective communication can mitigate these issues and help you navigate unexpected charges with ease. By understanding your moving company’s ticket policies and clarifying liability before embarking on your journey, you can enjoy a smooth transition to your new home.
Avoid the hassle of parking tickets during your move. Choose Division 1 Moving at (571) 970-3189 for professional movers who handle parking logistics with expertise and ensure a smooth moving experience. Contact us today!