In the process of transporting your household items to a different location, unpleasant surprises can occur. You may find out that some of your household properties suffered damages. What action should you take after noticing breakages?
When people hire a moving company, the responsibility of ensuring the safety of transit goods rests on the mover. The mover can damage your possessions because of accidental circumstances, negligence, or carelessness. Clients who decide to file claims against the moving agent.
What the Law Says
The federal law requires interstate moving companies to purchase an insurance coverage of $0.60 against every pound of transit goods. By law, movers must deliver the customer’s items within 14 days. If you miss your property, confirm that the mover still has your goods. Upon the mover delivers damaged or broken items, inform the mover that you intend to file damage claims.
Document the Evidence
Using the inventory of all your household property, list the damaged or broken stuff. Further, take the pictures of the stuff suffering breakages. Also, keep the items safely just in case you require to present evidence of the damage. Note down the details of your communication with the moving company including the date and time. You will need the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the staff you contact. You must preserve any hardcopy paperwork, such as bills, faxes or letters.
The Monetary Value of Damaged Goods
Estimate the monetary value of all the damaged goods. For instance, you will need to provide proof of the cost of a spoiled TV set. You can also use the credit card payment records to support your the financial value of the ruined property. You will need to attach the inventory and monetary estimates your claim statement.
Liability Insurance for Spoiled Items
The client must sign for liability insurance through the mover. The liability insurance can cater for stolen, lost, or damaged goods in three ways.
- The protection will take care of the weight of shipment against the specified monetary values per pound.
- The full cost of transit goods the weight of shipment against the determined monetary values per pound., which requires the moving agent to pay for the repairs and replacements of spoiled products.
- A declared weight of the items in transit. The liability insurance company will typically charge a specific fee for providing full protection.
For you to file the claims, consider the type of liability coverage you purchased. For instance, when you sign off and declare that your shipment equals $10,000, the mover will compensate you to a maximum of $10,000 as reimbursement for the damage.
Customers can also pursue the compensation claim through the moving company arbitration program. It will help to file the claim within nine months of the delivery date. As per the law, moving firms should respond to claims within 30 days. If the mover refuses your claim within 120 days, you have the right to file a lawsuit.
