Effective 28 Aug 1996

387.180. Liability for damage to property in transit. — 1. Every motor carrier shall, upon demand, issue either a receipt or bill of lading for all household goods delivered to it for transportation. No contract, stipulation or clause in any receipt or bill of lading shall exempt or be held to exempt any motor carrier from any liability for loss, damage or injury caused by it to household goods from the time of its delivery for transportation until the same shall have been received at its destination and a reasonable time shall have elapsed after notice to consignee of such arrival to permit of the removal of such property.

2. Every motor carrier shall be liable for all loss, damage or injury to household goods caused by delay in transit due to negligence while the same is being carried by it, but in any action to recover for damages sustained by delay in transit the burden of proof shall be upon the defendant to show that such delay was not due to negligence.

3. Every motor carrier shall be liable for loss, damage and injury to household goods carried as baggage up to the full value and regardless of the character thereof, but the value in excess of one hundred and fifty dollars shall be stated upon delivery to the carrier, and a written receipt stating the value shall be issued by the carrier, who may make a reasonable charge for the assumption of such liability in excess of one hundred and fifty dollars and for the carriage of baggage exceeding one hundred and fifty pounds in weight upon a single ticket. Nothing in this section shall deprive any holder of such receipt or bill of lading of any remedy or right of action which the holder has under existing laws.

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(RSMo 1939 § 5616, A.L. 1996 S.B. 780)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 5160; 1919 § 10449