Hurricane Clause in Your Moving Contract: What It Should Say
The clause you want reads 'delivery date extends by the duration of any FEMA-declared emergency along the route' - anything vaguer is a mover keeping their...
Last Updated: September 2026
TL;DR: A hurricane clause is a written provision in a moving contract that sets each side's rights when a named storm disrupts the pickup or delivery. It should cover rescheduling, storage-in-transit, and fee waivers. Federal rules do not force movers to insure named-storm damage. Read the clause before signing.
A hurricane clause is a written provision in a moving contract that sets each side's rights and duties when a named storm forces a pickup or delivery to shift. Under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, a carrier must provide reasonable dispatch, but the acts of God exclusion in the Bill of Lading (BoL) releases the mover from liability for named-storm damage. A hurricane clause fills the gap. It states the reschedule window, the storage fee waiver, and the notice period each side must follow.
Safebound Moving and Storage is a licensed Florida carrier that runs long-distance moves to all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839. The company has delivered 35,000+ moves since 2016 and holds a 4.9 stars rating across 2,401 reviews. Safebound writes price-locked written estimates before the truck loads. The West Palm Beach headquarters includes a 100,000 sq ft climate-controlled storage facility for delayed hand-offs during hurricane season. Get a free quote before the storm cone closes.
The five takeaways below frame each clause, delay, and fee check for a hurricane-season contract.
Key Takeaways
Clause is optional but expected: Federal rules do not require a hurricane clause, but a licensed Florida carrier should include one for June through November moves.
Acts of God exclusion: Standard Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection do not cover named-storm damage. A third-party rider is needed for that.
Storage-in-transit: The clause should waive daily storage fees when the delay is caused by a mandatory evacuation or a closed road.
Reschedule window: A clear reschedule window of 24 to 72 hours protects both the customer and the crew.
Written notice: Both sides need written notice by phone log or email when the clause is triggered.
The five sections below map each clause, delay step, and fee check to the right stage of a hurricane-season contract.
Do moving companies have hurricane clauses?
Some do, and some do not. Federal rules do not force a household goods carrier to include a hurricane clause in the Bill of Lading. Licensed Florida carriers that run June through November often add one because the risk is real. Read the paperwork before signing. If the clause is missing, ask for it to be added by written addendum. A hurricane clause should sit on the same page as the pickup date, not in a separate policy document.
The moving insurance overview shows how the acts of God exclusion works alongside the clause. Without one, both sides fall back on default federal rules. Those rules favor the carrier on delay claims and cap the customer's damage recovery at $0.60 per pound per article under Released Value Protection.
What happens if a hurricane hits during my move?
The load either sits in storage-in-transit or reroutes around the storm. A carrier with a live USDOT number will follow federal hours-of-service rules and cannot legally drive into a named storm's path. If the load is on the truck, the driver will stop at a safe location, log the delay, and continue after the road reopens. If the load is still at the origin, the pickup date shifts. The customer is notified by phone and by written follow-up.
Costs during the delay depend on the clause. A well-written hurricane clause waives daily storage-in-transit fees for the first 5 to 7 days. It also states who pays for a second crew callout if the load has to be split. Ask for that fee schedule in writing before signing.
The comparison below shows what a strong hurricane clause covers and what a weak one leaves open.
| Clause Element | Strong Contract | Weak Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Reschedule notice window | 24-72 hours, no penalty | Not specified |
| Storage-in-transit fees | Waived first 5-7 days | Full daily rate from day 1 |
| Second crew callout | Carrier absorbs cost | Customer pays flat callout |
| Acts of God exclusion | Named, with rider referral | Buried in fine print |
| Deposit refund on cancel | Full refund if pre-load | Non-refundable in all cases |
| Written notice method | Email plus phone log | Verbal only |
Read the clause line by line before signing. A one-line reference to "storm delay" is not enough. Ask for language that names each fee waiver and each reschedule right.
Are movers liable for weather delays?
No, not in most cases. Under FMCSA rules, a carrier must provide reasonable dispatch, but the acts of God clause in the standard Bill of Lading releases the mover from liability for delays and damage caused by named storms, tornadoes, floods, and other natural events. The customer cannot claim rent, hotel, or lost wages against the carrier for a hurricane delay. The one exception is negligence. If a driver ignored a clear warning and drove into the storm path, the carrier can be liable for damage caused by that choice.
File any delay-related claim in writing inside the federal 9-month window. Include the storm-date record, the National Hurricane Center advisory number, and the driver log. The long-distance timeline guide shows how carriers document dispatch and hours-of-service holds.
What should a hurricane clause include?
A strong hurricane clause names five items in plain language. First, the trigger event, usually a named storm inside the seven-day forecast cone. Second, the reschedule window, ideally 24 to 72 hours with no penalty. Third, the storage-in-transit fee waiver, usually the first 5 to 7 days. Fourth, the written notice method, by email and phone log. Fifth, the deposit refund path if the move is canceled before load. Each item should sit inside the signed Bill of Lading, not in a separate policy page.
Ask for the clause in writing 30 days before the pickup date. That leaves time to negotiate wording without pressure. The RVP vs FVP guide shows the coverage tiers the clause interacts with.
Who pays for storage during a hurricane delay?
It depends on the clause and the delay length. A strong hurricane clause waives storage-in-transit fees for the first 5 to 7 days of a named-storm delay. After that window, the customer pays the daily storage rate quoted in the Bill of Lading. Safebound holds delayed loads under one Bill of Lading at the 100,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility in West Palm Beach. That keeps the shipment secure while the destination reopens.
Confirm the daily rate before signing. A common daily storage-in-transit charge runs $0.40 to $0.75 per cubic foot per month, prorated by day. Verify the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before agreeing to hold costs. The unlicensed mover guide lists red flags on delay and storage fee tactics.
Hurricane Clause Checklist
Ask for the hurricane clause in writing 30 days before the pickup date. Add it by written addendum if the base contract does not include one.
Read the trigger event line by line. Confirm the clause activates when a named storm enters the seven-day forecast cone, not only at landfall.
Confirm the reschedule window. Look for a 24 to 72 hour no-penalty reschedule right on both sides.
Check the storage-in-transit fee waiver. A strong clause waives the daily rate for the first 5 to 7 days of the delay.
Confirm the written notice method. Email plus phone log beats a verbal-only requirement that leaves no record.
Read the deposit refund path. A pre-load cancellation should return the deposit or credit it to a rescheduled date.
Save the storm-date record, the advisory number, and the driver log if a delay is triggered. These support any claim inside the federal 9-month window.
Buy a third-party hurricane rider for named-storm damage. Standard Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection do not cover it.
Verify the carrier at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. A live USDOT 2900155 and MC 975408 on record support the storage terms in the clause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hurricane clause required by federal law?
No. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules do not require a hurricane clause. A licensed carrier may add one voluntarily. Ask for the clause in writing before signing any Bill of Lading for a June through November move. If the base contract does not include one, request an addendum.
What is an acts of God exclusion?
An acts of God exclusion releases the carrier from liability for damage or delay caused by natural events beyond human control. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires all qualify. The clause sits in every standard Bill of Lading. It is federal-standard language and cannot be removed by the carrier.
Can I cancel my move if a hurricane is forecast?
Yes, but the refund rules depend on the contract. A strong hurricane clause returns the deposit in full if the cancellation happens before load. A weak contract may keep the deposit. Confirm the refund path in writing at least 72 hours before the scheduled pickup date to lock the terms.
Does Safebound waive storage fees during a storm delay?
Safebound waives storage-in-transit fees for the first 5 to 7 days when a mandatory evacuation, road closure, or named-storm advisory delays a delivery. After the waiver, the daily rate quoted on the Bill of Lading applies. The load stays under one Bill of Lading in the West Palm Beach facility.
How is a delay claim documented?
The driver logs the delay in the Bill of Lading and files a hours-of-service note. The dispatcher confirms by email. Save both records with the National Hurricane Center advisory number. File any written claim inside the federal 9-month window with the carrier of record for full documentation.
Can I reschedule the move without a fee?
A strong hurricane clause allows a 24 to 72 hour reschedule with no penalty on either side. A weak contract may charge a flat reschedule fee or forfeit the deposit. Confirm the reschedule right in writing before signing. Ask for the clause to sit next to the pickup date on the Bill of Lading.
Do movers drive during a hurricane?
No. Federal hours-of-service and safety rules prevent a driver from operating in an active named-storm path. If the load is on the truck, the driver stops at a safe location, logs the delay, and continues after the road reopens. Reasonable dispatch under FMCSA rules covers this pause.
Who covers hotel or rent costs during the delay?
The customer covers hotel, rent, and lost-wage costs during a named-storm delay. The acts of God exclusion releases the carrier from these consequential damages. Homeowner or renter insurance floaters sometimes cover a portion of the extra housing cost. Read the policy before assuming coverage applies.
What if the origin home is destroyed before pickup?
Contact the dispatcher within 24 hours. The pickup is canceled or rescheduled. Deposit refund follows the hurricane clause terms. Insurance for the destroyed home is a separate claim through the homeowner policy or a hurricane rider on the moving contract, not the standard Bill of Lading.
Ready to Plan a Hurricane-Season Move?
Call Safebound at 561-510-7191 for a written, price-locked estimate with a clear hurricane clause on the Bill of Lading. A licensed dispatcher walks through the reschedule window, the storage waiver, and the deposit refund terms before signing. Get a free quote. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm | Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
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Sources & References
Safebound Moving & Storage is licensed, insured, and certified throughout Florida and the continental United States. USDOT 2900155 | MC 975408 | FL IM2839. Federally licensed with active cargo and liability filings on file. BBB Accredited. Forbes Featured. Verify at fdacs.gov or safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
About the Author
Leo Cavaretta | Moving Industry Specialist, Safebound Moving & Storage
Leo Cavaretta is a moving industry specialist at Safebound Moving & Storage, a licensed carrier based in West Palm Beach, Florida (USDOT 2900155). Leo specializes in interstate moving regulations, USDOT compliance, residential relocation, and moving cost transparency, helping customers navigate the full moving process, from written, price-locked estimates with transparent pricing and no hidden fees to long-distance logistics, with confidence. Since 2016, Safebound has completed more than 35,000 residential and commercial relocations across all 50 states. Safebound holds USDOT 2900155, MC 975408, and FL IM2839, and is BBB Accredited. Get a free quote or learn about Safebound Moving & Storage.
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