There are situations that can present a challenge in a person’s life. One of them is moving to a new home. Naturally, changes, no matter how good they are, can cause a certain level of stress, and that’s obvious when it comes to moving. So when you have problems with your belongings during a move, it is appropriate to remain calm and take certain measures to protect yourself from this type of situation.
Learn how to deal with a company that loses your belongings through a damage claim.
Before the move
1.- Make a household inventory list.
Start by recording all your items in a centralized location. Make several copies of this list, one for you and one for the moving team. This will allow you to know which items have been lost or have not arrived at your new location.
2.- Take photos of your possessions
Make an album with photos of your valuables to accompany your home inventory list. Stamp these photos with the date and time. This will help you prove damage during the moving claim process if your items are cut, scratched or broken during the move.
If you file a claim with your moving company, the surveyor handling it will want to see the condition of your damaged items prior to the move. Your case will be weaker without this photographic evidence.
3.- Take out an extra moving insurance policy
The basic coverage that moving companies are obliged to offer will not do you much good if you want to protect your belongings. Make sure you purchase extra coverage or take out a separate moving insurance policy. This will add to the moving bill, but it will pay off if your items are damaged or destroyed.
The most comprehensive type of insurance is full value protection. Under this coverage, your mover will reimburse you for the full current value of your items, repair damaged items back to their previous condition, or replace your damaged or lost items with new ones. If you are moving more expensive items, it makes sense to pay more for full value insurance.
After the move
4.- Start the process right away.
The sooner you file a claim, the sooner you will reach a resolution. After the move, you have nine months from that date to file a claim. Also, make sure to file the claim yourself. Do not rely on your mover to file your claim for you.
5.- File a written complaint with your mover.
The first thing you should do is contact your mover and ask for the necessary paperwork to file a claim. All movers have such paperwork and will have a formal process for handling claims.
6.- Attach photos of the damage.
Again, you need to attach many photos of your damaged items and include them in your claim. Include any photos you have taken of those items prior to the move. This is an important part of documenting the damage to your items or your home.
7.- Negotiate reimbursement offer
Once you complete this documentation and submit it, the claim process officially begins. Movers usually assign a liquidator to investigate your complaint. You can expect to receive your reimbursement offer from the mover no later than one week after filing your complaint.
If you are satisfied with the offer received, take it. If you are not, let your mover know. They may give you a counteroffer. And if they don’t, and you are not satisfied, you can file a civil suit to recover your damages. The last process is lengthy and involves high monetary costs.
