The Movers Damaged My Property! What to Do?

One of the most frequently lamented dangers of moving from one home to another is the potential for damage. You can damage your property if you move yourself, and movers can do the same thing. If you hire movers, however, you should know that they carry liability insurance for just such an occasion. Although it is unlikely to cover the costs of extensive damages, it does provide some protection.

If the movers damaged your property, the first step is to make a list of all damages. You can record them on the inventory form provided by the movers, or you can make your own form on the computer. It should detail the type of item(s) damaged, the estimated costs for repairs or replacements, and the basic situation in which it was damaged.

The most important thing here is to make sure you catalogue all damages at one time. Your movers probably have a very strict liability insurance policy that covers a specific amount (the standard is 60 cents per pound), and you don't want to compromise your chances for reimbursement. Once you've made your list, submit it to the moving company.

In some cases, your movers will be happy to work with you without having to submit a formal claim for damaged property, but this is rare, so be prepared. You might have to fill out and file a Loss & Damage Claim, which needs to be submitted to your moving company by certified mail, within 90 days of delivery of your belongings.

At that point, you should give your movers about three months to respond with a denial or a reimbursement. This is the standard amount of time it takes for the moving company to file the claim with their insurance company and get back to you with a response. When they do, you have the option to accept or reject their response, which should be done within thirty days of receipt.

Most people take a position of "whatever I can get" when the movers damage their property, but you don't have to settle for a minimum amount. If you don't think that you've been offered sufficient reimbursement, you have the right to file a complaint with the American Moving and Storage Association. They will investigate your claim and can help mediate the situation.