When you hire a moving company, they are responsible for making sure your goods arrive undamaged.It is possible to file a claim against a moving company to recover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged items.If you want to make a claim against your moving company for damages to your items, you need to collect evidence of the damage so you can use it.To make sure your claim is processed, you will need to draft the claim and file it.
Step 1: Take pictures of the damage
You need to take pictures of all of the items that were damaged by the moving company.You should use a good digital camera to take these pictures, being sure to get detailed, in focus images of all the damage on each and every item.If the moving company asks to inspect the damaged items, you should keep them in your possession.All the pieces of the broken item should be in a bag.If an item is damaged and can no longer be used, store it in a garage or spare room so you can use it as evidence of the moving company's carelessness.
Step 2: All contact with the moving company should be documented.
In a notebook, write down the times and dates you had with the moving company.As you will need to use it as evidence in your claim, be specific about the date and time of each conversation with the moving company.Specific dates and times will sway more than a general note, such as, "I spoke to them sometime in June" or "We talked a few times in March."Ask the person from the moving company if they have an employee ID number.
Step 3: The moving company has hard copy documents.
Emails, contracts, bills, receipts, letters, and faxes are some of the hard copy documents that can be used to support your claim.When you hired the moving company, they can give you a clear timetable of when they moved your items and when you discovered they were damaged.Before you send any documents back to the moving company, make sure you have a copy for yourself.To store a copy of your outgoing emails, use the Delivery Confirmation option on your email.You can use the postal tracking number on your items to get a Proof of Delivery notice from the moving company.This can be used as proof that the moving company is responsible for any damage to the items.
Step 4: You should make an inventory of the damaged items.
You should make an inventory of each item to strengthen your claim.Determine their monetary value or how much you paid for each item.In the event that you decide to go to small claims court to file a lawsuit against the moving company, this inventory list can be used as evidence.It can be difficult to determine the monetary value of items that have been used.Think about where you bought the item from, and look for any receipts you may have saved for the damaged items.If the moving company damaged a one year old television, you may remember that you bought it for an electronics store.If you visit the electronics store website, you can look for the same television or similar model.If you want to prove the monetary value of the damaged television, you can use the current price listed on their website.You can use your credit card statements to find out how much you paid for the damaged items.The salesperson at the store where you bought the items could give you a new receipt as proof of your claim.A complete inventory listing the items damaged, their monetary value according to receipts or other proof of purchase documents, and photographs of the damaged items can be created.You should make two copies of the list, one for your records and the other for the moving company.When you draft your claim, you will attach this inventory list.
Step 5: Take a look at your contract with the moving company.
The United States requires all moving companies to have a dispute resolution process and provide a written contract for the customer.The estimates should be specified in writing in your contract with the moving company.The estimates should be signed off by the moving company.The order of service is the list of services the mover will perform.The dates that your goods will be picked up from your previous residence and delivered to your new residence should be noted in the order of service.The bill of lading is a contract between you and the moving company.It will be used as a receipt for your goods.You should have a partial copy of the Bill of Lading in your possession.The inventory list is a complete list of each item being moved.Once your belongings are loaded into the moving vehicle and you have a written copy of the inventory list, you should sign off on the current condition of your items.
Step 6: Determine the type of liability insurance you purchased.
Liability insurance is offered by the company in the event of theft, loss, or damage when you sign the contract with them.This liability coverage, also referred to as "valuation", is usually provided by moving companies in three different ways: based on the weight of your shipment, the amount per pound, or the full value of the items.Most moving companies will charge a fee for full value protection, but will not charge for declared value.You signed a contract with the moving company.The moving company is liable for up to $10,000 worth of damage if the declared value of the shipment is less than $10,000.If the liability insurance on your contract is based on the weight of your shipment, you may need to consider how much money the moving company will have to pay for damaged items.If you have a very light, but expensive item that is damaged, you may only receive a quarter of its value as the moving company is responsible for costs based on weight, not value.
Step 7: Let the moving company know that you're filing a claim.
If you want to file a claim for partial or full value of the damaged goods, you should contact the moving company and let them know.Information on the dispute settlement program is required of all interstate moving companies.Most moving companies have a program to settle lost or damaged goods disputes.You should ask the company about their requirements to process your claim, as well as any request forms you need to submit specific to the moving company.It is possible for companies to request a personal inspection of damaged goods.Make sure to get as much information as you can about the dispute settlement procedures of the moving company.
Step 8: The claim form needs to be filed nine months after the delivery date.
You can submit a claim form to most moving companies via mail.The claim form must be filed within nine months of the delivery date.To strengthen your claim, you can submit a copy of your inventory list of all items damaged, as well as photographic evidence of the damage.If the moving company denies receiving your claim in court, you should get a tracking number for all the documents you send to them.
Step 9: The moving company has 30 days to respond to your claim.
The law requires the moving company to notify you of your claim within 30 days.A denial of payment must be made within 120 days.If you don't hear back from the moving company within 120 days, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.threatening to do so will prompt the company to resolve your claim so they are not at risk of losing their license in the state.The Household Goods Consumer Complaint form can be found on the FMCSA website.Once the form is filed, it will be entered into the consumer complaint database of the FMCSA and noted on the moving company's public record.The FMCSA could take action against the moving company and reach out to you for more information.If you want to file a complaint against the mover, you can call the Household Goods Consumer hotline.The hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-7:00 pm.
Step 10: If you don't like the moving company's settlement offer, consider small claims court.
If the moving company doesn't cover the cost of damages to your belongings, you may want to consider taking the company to small claims court.If you feel the moving company is not being fair in their settlement offer, you have the right to take them to court.If you want to make a claim in small claims court, you need to complete an application.Copies of the moving contract, a detailed log of your interactions with the company, copies of damage claim forms, and an inventory of damaged items are required.It can take several months for your application to be processed and your court date may be set a few months after that.