Sec. 5.003.  LIABILITY OF CARRIER OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS.  (a)  A carrier of household goods, as defined by 49 U.S.C. Section 10102, is not required to accept for transportation household goods unless the shipper or owner of the property or the agent of the shipper or owner declares in writing the reasonable value of the property.
(b)  A carrier transporting property with a value declared under Subsection (a) is not liable in damages for an amount more than the declared value of the property lost, destroyed, or damaged.
(c)  A shipper's declaration of value is not admissible evidence in a court action unless the carrier, when accepting the shipment, provides and maintains in an amount at least equal to the declared value of the property:
(1)  insurance in a solvent company authorized to do business in this state;  or
(2)  bonds.
(d)  The security requirement of Subsection (c) does not apply to steam or electric railroads.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.01(c), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.