Removalls scheme will protect users
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by Juliet Parish II Removals hauliers are being urged to join a scheme which will ensure their customers' move is carried out if they suddenbi go bust or lose their vehicles.
Under the plan, unveiled last week by the 700-strong British Association of Removers, firms would pay £1 to a central kitty in advance of every household move they make in the UK.
The cash will be used to fund an insurance scheme which will pay for the hire of another removals company if the one originally hired by a householder goes out of business or suffers a hitch such as a truck being stolen or breaking down.
The timing of the launch is important, says the BAR, because consumer groups are campaigning to persuade the public not to pay for services in advance. The removals sector is one of few in the haulage industry which enjoys this system of payment.
travel agents' body ABTA, which ensures holidaymakers are refunded if their agency or tour operator ceases to trade after they have paid for their holiday. The BAR has not yet decided whether to make the scheme compulsory, but it does hope to see "100% participation".
A pilot version will be launched next month and BAR officials will discuss it with members at area meetings in the summer and autumn.
After a debate at the BAR's November conference members will be balloted on whether to make the scheme compulsory. It will be administered by insurance broker Willis Coupon of Kingston, Surrey and Europ Assistance in Haywards Heath which runs the 24-hour helpline.
A certificate carrying Europ Assistance's phone number will be issued to the householder once a removal has been bought. This will insure the household for up to £1,500 against the cost of using another operator, an overnight stay in a hotel and even an hour's repair if the client's car breaks down during a move.