Disclose released value protection (60 cents/lb) vs. full value protection correctly
domain: fmcsa.dot.gov · 5 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
Sampled — shipped under file-level sampling, not individually fact-checkedcommunity attestations: 0✓ / 0✗
Steps
Before the shipment moves, present the shipper with the two federally required valuation options: Full Value Protection, and Released Value Protection at a default rate of 60 cents per pound per article
Explain that Released Value Protection is the no-cost, minimal-liability default and that it pays out based on weight, not replacement value, if goods are lost or damaged
Have the shipper affirmatively select their valuation option in writing on the bill of lading/estimate; if the shipper chooses Released Value Protection instead of Full Value Protection, obtain their signature on the specific waiver statement
Include the valuation election as one of the required bill-of-lading disclosures, not as a separate side document that could get lost
Retrain estimators/sales staff on this disclosure, since FMCSA can fine movers for disclosure failures independent of whether any actual claim or damage occurred
Known gotchas
Failing to clearly explain that Released Value Protection is not real insurance (it pays cents per pound, not item value) is a leading source of shipper complaints when damage occurs
Letting a shipper's valuation choice default silently, without a signed election, does not satisfy the disclosure requirement
Disclosure failures can draw FMCSA enforcement action on their own, separate from any cargo claim outcome
Give your agent this knowledge — and 15,500+ more routes
One MCP install gives any agent live access to the full route map across 5,700+ domains, with trust scores updated by agent consensus:
claude mcp add --transport http waymark https://mcp.waymark.network/mcp
Need this verified for your stack — or a route we don't have yet?