Danny, you wrote in 030530 MMDigest:

> It is a short local move for two grands and one upright.

I recently moved three big pianos as one load, and I had difficulty
finding a piano mover I felt confidence in.  The advertisements at the
web sites of the big piano moving firms may give glowing testimonials,
but no useful information about the insurance they carry nor about any
history of claims against them.

I had to phone several piano movers to find one who could show me proof
that he carried adequate insurance to cover theft of the load (total
value estimated at $30,000).

On the advice of piano tech Courtney Lanham, I spoke with piano mover
Herb Martin, "P-n-O Movers", in Signal Hill, tel.: 1-800-427-6353.  He
moves pianos under contract with Yamaha Corporation of America, Buena
Park, Calif.  Courtney says he is known as the guy who enjoys the tough
jobs.  He once moved a concert grand up three floors while it was
standing on end, upright, resting on the _top_ of the elevator cage!

I asked Mr. Martin how piano movers are licensed and insured and what
the paperwork is like.  He said he carries $80,000 insurance per load
as a motor cargo truck carrier.  He said he is licensed by Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) and Calif. Dept. of Motor Vehicles and
Calif. Highway Patrol.

Martin says that if one follows the PUC paperwork rules rigorously
it introduces a three-day delay, which most of his customers waive.
But if I want to do it properly, I should first estimate the liability
limit and tell the mover, who responds with his maximum rate for the
job, presumably resulting from the insurance.  Three days or more
before the move an "Agreement for Services" is signed by the mover and
the customer.  I think this is the standard contract form with the
waiver line at the bottom, too.

But Martin had an alternate suggestion: ask the homeowner's insurance
agent for a rider on the existing home policy which would insure the
pianos for full value while in the home _and_ while transported by
a qualified mover.

I suggest that you call several local piano techs and piano dealers
and ask their recommendations.  Be sure to inquire of any incidents
(damage to the piano) and how well their claims against the moving
firms were handled.  Ask the big dealers who they hire when they
move several new grand pianos as one load.  If they gasp, just tell
'em that you're "a serious piano collector!"  ;-)

Robbie Rhodes
Etiwanda, Calif. (nearby Ontario & San Bernardino)