No matter how well-trained professional movers are, there is no denying that accidents happen. Nobody wants to have to file a claim, but it is a good idea to know how it is done in case something goes wrong.
Keep reading to fully understand the steps involved and what your options are if you ever need to file a moving insurance claim.
While the movers work to unload your belongings, you may notice damages to your property.
In this situation, it is best to keep a level head and try not to panic.
It is important to begin documenting and setting aside anything that you notice is not as it should be.
You will also want to request that the driver take note of these damages as they arise, and take pictures as you go.
Once you have brought attention to your damaged items, you should not touch those items again until the claim is settled. Movers cannot be liable for any tampering or damages that occur while they are not there. This could nullify any reimbursement you would receive.
Important note: Movers will not be liable for items broken in self-packed boxes, be sure to pack your boxes neatly and securely.
After documenting the damage and snapping some pictures, it is time to contact your moving company.
You will want to discuss the details of the damage with your moving coordinator and be ready to submit your information in writing. This is normally done online or via email.
Remember, your time to submit your claim will vary so make sure to ask if you do not already know.
Once submitted, your mover's claims department will follow up and request more detailed information.
Your mover will typically use a third-party adjuster to calculate how much you are owed for the repair, replacement, or cash settlement.
Before that happens, it is a good idea to find any proof of value for the broken items. Things like receipts or appraisals will be very useful.
Otherwise, you are leaving it up to the adjusters to value and they may not find a suitable 1 to 1 cost replacement to set the price.
When all parties have noted and properly valued your damaged items, it is time to wait for the resolution.
The time it takes to resolve can depend on a lot of factors, like the complexity of the claim or the moving company's policies.
You are going to want to be patient and expect this process to take some time, but if you are unhappy with your moving company's offer, you can file a dispute with the FMCSA’s dispute center. Alternatively, the FMCA handbook states customers may also settle disputes in court.
It is important to understand that while movers have general liability coverage, they are not allowed to sell insurance and you should know what your coverage options are.
There are three types of protection, and you will want to know how you are covered before making a claim.
In your initial walkthrough, your estimator should have given you options for the first two: Full value protection and released value protection. You may also choose third-party liability insurance which you would have to find yourself.
Before making a claim, you should know the time frames associated with each type of move, these are categorized by distance.
Currently, the law is that local and intrastate moves are governed by their states (PUC): Public Utilities Commission.
Alternatively, interstate and international moves are regulated by the (FMCSA) or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which explains why their timeframes for filing a claim remain consistent.
This is a good question without a clear go-to answer. Weigh your options and consider the time and effort involved versus living with the damage.
Is it something you know how to fix? If it is a higher-priced item that is still sold in stores and you have the receipt, it is probably worth it to make a claim.
If it is something abstract that is hard to find a price on, you will have a harder time getting what it is worth.
iMoving is your one-stop shop for finding reliable movers near you. Check us out and get an estimate today!
Get all moving services you need in one place
Shop Our Services