How to File A Proper Moving Claim

Filing a Moving Claim - How To

  1. Sometimes Accidents Happen
  2. The First Step to Filing a Claim
  3. Contact Your Moving Company & Remain Calm (It's Still Upsetting!)
  4. Follow Instructions With Accuracy
  5. Understanding the Form
  6. Mover's Want to Be Helpful, Not Hostile
  7. Provide As Much Necessary Information As You Can
  8. The Waiting Game

1. Sometimes Accidents Happen

No matter how careful a full-service moving company is, sometimes things get damaged, leaving you needing to file a claim but unsure of how to do so. No worries! We’re here to help.

2. The First Step to Filing a Claim

The first thing you will need to do is to get some paper or open a new document on your electronic device and begin taking note of the items that are damaged or missing. Write what the item is specifically meaning that you write the size of the item and what it is. For example, if your bed is damaged, you would note King size sleigh bed – Manufacturer (if known) – Scratch on bottom left leg – amount you would like to claim. Remember to save the document or paper in a safe place so you don’t lose it while you finish unpacking your home. It is VERY important that you do not file the claim until you have completely unpacked.


File a Claim

3. Contact Your Moving Company & Remain Calm (It's Still Upsetting!)

The second thing you should do is to contact your moving company to let them know that you are in need of filing a claim. Be sure that you remain calm and keep in mind that the representative is only trying to help and that more than likely he or she was not involved in the actual transportation. The calmer you are, the more they will want to help you. Always treat them professionally and respectfully. Don’t be alarmed if your moving company gives you a number or name of a different company to file a claim. Many moving companies choose to outsource their moving claims to a third party company.

4. Follow Instructions With Accuracy

Once you obtain the claim form, the next thing you should do is read the instructions for filing the claim. If there are no instructions, leaving you with questions, call the moving company or claims company and ask them how to proceed. Do your best to ensure that all of the information you are providing on the claim form is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

Moving Claim For Movers

5. Understanding the Form

Most moving claim forms will ask for the same basic information: The shipper’s name, date of the move, whether the claim is local or long distance, the coverage selected for the move, item name, weights of the item, description of the damage or statement of loss and claim amount. You may also have an option of filing for the delay, overcharge and possibly any general complaints you have regarding the service that you received from the company.

6. Mover's Want to Be Helpful, Not Hostile

It is important that you keep in mind that your moving company wants you to be a happy customer at the end of the claims process as much as you want a resolution so be sure to refrain from posting negative reviews, complaints, credit card disputes, etc. On some websites commonly used for posting complaints and reviews, once it has been posted, it cannot be removed meaning that you will have disparaged the name of the company before giving them an opportunity to make it right.

7. Provide As Much Necessary Information As You Can

Begin by making sure that your name and job number is noted on every page of your claim form. This will help to ensure that all of the pages remain together. Next, determine which type of coverage you chose for your move. But how do you figure that out? Obtain a copy of the Bill of Lading that was conducted for your move or the addendum to the Bill of Lading. If you signed for option 1, you have selected the full value protection. If you signed for option 2, you have selected to waive the full value option, meaning that you selected the $0.60 per lb. per article option. If you did not sign for either type of coverage, your shipment must legally default to the full value coverage with no deductible option. Please note that this coverage is not provided free of charge and any fees associated with the coverage must be deducted from the total settlement amount before any refund can be given.

Transfer the information from your list that you kept during the unpacking phase, onto the claim form. Be sure that you have filled out as much of the information as possible. Provide the most accurate weight or value estimates as possible. If you are unsure of what information is required, please be in contact with a claims representative.

8. The Waiting Game

Once your claim has been filed, within 30 days from the date the company receives it, you should receive a written acknowledgment advising that the claim was received. From that date, the company has up to 120 days to respond to long distance claims and anywhere from 30 days to 120 days to have local claims responded to. However, if for some reason, the company is unable to respond to your claim within the time limits allowed by law, you will receive a claim extension notice that allows them an additional 30 days. Again, keep in mind that the company wants to handle your claim and make you happy as much as you want your claim to be taken care of so the more patient and understanding you are, the easier the process will be on you.