Has anyone filed a claim against a moving company for damage during a move?

2016-09-01T22:53:22-04:00

Our PCS pack and move was yesterday and it was a total mess. They seemed totally clueless and ended up damaging our hardwood floors and a door frame. When I contacted the Trans Office they only handle claims for items damaged during transit. They said damage to the house must go through the moving company (TPS). Does anyone have any experience filing a damage claim with a moving company?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 11:05 PM

2016-09-01T23:05:11-04:00

I found their policy manual online and I found multiple items they messed up.
1) They failed to have me sign a property inspection checklist when they started and at the end
2) They failed to put down floor protection

3) They slid multiple items across the floor rather than lifting them

Our hardwood floors are now scratched to hell and at least one door frame is damaged. I have to be out of the place in the next day or so in order to make it to my next duty station on time. All I can do at this point is take a bunch of pics for the claim I guess. Hopefully I don't get hosed. I've done 4 or 5 moves in my career and this was easily the worst. DITY moves from here on out.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 11:36 PM

2016-09-01T23:36:33-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I moved a year ago. The moving company came flooded half the house when a mover flushed a toilet and did not tell me. They banged up the walls, put the furniture together incorrectly and did not handle our furniture with care. I submitted a claim for damaged furniture, missing boxes, etc. My claim was itemized. For example my extension ladder was missing, so I submitted an item for the ladder, and the cost to rent a Home Depot truck the get the ladder home. My list was detailed and included pictures. I had to fight them tooth and nail, and was awarded the claim minus the $2500 deductible for the flooded house damage. File with pictures and a detailed itemized list. I wish you luck. Moving companies are a pain to deal with.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 12:13 AM

2016-09-02T00:13:01-04:00

Yep. My move from Texas to Iowa in 2002, Used a national carrier. Some things were damaged, but reparable. Some things were broken beyond repair. Lots of forms to fill out and I had to wait until an agent of the company resided to my new home before I found effectively unpack. The settlement process was long and drawn out, but I also put a hold on my check. Eventually, I came out of it to my satisfaction. Of course, I will never use that company again. But, then, I anticipate that my next and last move will be out the front door, feet first, so what do I care???

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Sep 2 at 2016 12:54 AM

2016-09-02T00:54:55-04:00

I was renting a house and when the Semi rolled into the driveway, they took out half a birch tree. Since it wasn't technically my property, my landlord was supposed to file a claim. I gave him all the filled out paperwork and all he had to do was sign it. He never did. 10 months later when I moved, the asshole deducted $300 from my damage deposit for the tree.

My property damage was significant and very emotional. I got a check for about $5,000 and that didn't cover our losses but that's a 'nother story....

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 2 at 2016 1:16 AM

2016-09-02T01:16:01-04:00

It's not only the moving companies but intermediary shipping companies as well. When I PCSed out to Adak, I had to turn my vehicle into the GSA station in Auburn, WA. They'd transfer the car to the shipper who'd put it into a MILVAN with another car and it would go by sea. So there were 6 of us who had cars on the SEALAND vessel. So in Kodiak, they transferred them to a barge for the final leg. Problem was they slipped a cable and one of the 3 MILVANS carrying cars and deep sixed a box in about 600 feet of water. So there we were waiting by the dock knowing 2 cars were gone but not knowing which two. My Landcruiser showed up but my neighbor's didn't. So the claim was denied because the Shipper said their contract required the cars to be assessed for damage. When the Government provided the cars, then they'd initiate their response to the claim. They cited a bunch of Admiralty Law stuff. So MTC wound up suing SEALAND and the Barge carrier. I ended my tour before it was settled. The two guys who lost their cars wound up buying "Adak Specials" and suffered their entire tour.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2016 8:54 AM

2016-09-02T08:54:03-04:00

I was moving into a brand new home. We closed on a Monday and the movers were there Thursday. They did bang up walls and drug a heavy dresser across the carpet. The dresser's weight made the carpet come loose. Like others have mentioned I took pictures and video on my phone. I also called the moving company while the movers were still there and had the movers "own up" to the damage. The company came out the next day and tried to deny any damage. After a lengthy battle I did get my carpet replaced and the walls repainted. I didn't want money, I wanted them to fix the problem and they eventually did.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2017 3:06 PM

2017-04-02T15:06:26-04:00

UPDATE: I still haven't seen a dime from these crooks. $500 in damage that I had to pay out of pocket. When I am actually able to get someone from the company to respond they tell me the claim is approved and has been "forwarded to accounting". This is the same answer I've been getting for the past 6 months. It feels like they're just passing the buck.

Response by TSgt Robert Allen made Apr 6 at 2018 2:15 AM

2018-04-06T02:15:47-04:00

Yes. You need to get 3 quotes for replacement or repair for each item. Then they will pay You for actual damages.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 9 at 2021 6:51 PM

2021-12-09T18:51:17-05:00

You’re probably completely in the civilian world on this one. Collect evidence immediately Photos. Copies of contracts. Witness statements Call the moving company. Their customer service office should have a process for this type of complaint. You may need to get repair estimates If they are unresponsive, get a lawyer. A phone call from a lawyer may bring them to the table quickly. If not, you’ll be in for a civil law suit to recover the damage plus your legal costs. Also, send a complaint to the USTRANSCOM office that handles personnel property moves for the DoD. They can pass the complaint on to the contracting officer.

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2022-04-10T10:58:32-04:00

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Response by Craig Johansen made Jul 13 at 2022 11:49 AM

2022-07-13T11:49:50-04:00

You can file a complaint with FMCSA or the BBB - see this: https://threemovers.com/how-to-file-a-claim-against-a-moving-company/ You should also try contacting the movers directly first to see if they have any way of handling it (my guess is they won't knowing movers). Failing that, go to the orgs that oversee and regulate them. At the very least you can help warn others to avoid them.

How To File A Claim Against A Moving Company - Three Movers

Most complaints filed against moving companies have to do with were lost/damaged belongings, or move was not executed per contract terms.