Answered by Jenna Farmer
September 25, 2013
Hi, thank you for visiting Movers.com to find an answer to your important question. I’m very sorry to hear of your negative experience, but hopefully I can provide some information that will help you figure out what to do next.
Unfortunately, moving experiences don’t always go smoothly – between all the hauling, loading and unloading, sometimes items get damaged. The best way to protect yourself against any moving mishap is to get educated on the claims process.
Moving insurance
If you only opted for the basic insurance coverage offered by your company, the amount of damages you can recover is limited to the weight of the items, as suggested by the 60 cents per pound figure. For added protection, many people look into insurance from third-party providers for the move.
Deal with your movers directly
Above all else, you will want to have an honest conversation with your moving company – notify the company as soon as possible and inquire about specifics when it comes to handling complaints. After this, you must file a written complaint.
According to federal regulations, movers cannot "voluntarily pay a claim … unless and until a formal claim in writing for a specified or determinable amount of money shall have been filed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this section 49CFR370.3 – Filing of Claims." This means calling the company and lodging a verbal complaint does not hold them liable for response or resolution of said complaint.
You can also file a claim with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the American Moving and Storage Association, and with the Better Business Bureau.
Get prepared
If all else fails, you may end up in small claims court. Though this isn’t an ideal end to any situation, it may be unavoidable. Be sure to have all documentation of the damages, like before and after photos, receipts for proof of value, etc.
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