Posted on Sep 1, 2016
CPT Physical Therapist
20.7K
23
13
3
3
0
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?
Posted in these groups: Images PCSMoving services Moving
Avatar feed
Responses: 10
MSG Pat Colby
3
3
0
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....
(3)
Comment
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
>1 y
MSG Pat Colby Those xxxx xxxxxxx never consider the emotional trauma!

I once in a large font made a sign for my garage door thanking an association for kicking me out of my paid for condo! They said move, pay your dues, take your belongings, we'll call when you may return!

We soon moved after the condo was restored to us. My wife, in very early Alzheimer's would not accept us moving into another gated community!!
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Sgt Field Radio Operator
3
3
0
CPT (Join to see) 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.
(3)
Comment
(0)
CPT Physical Therapist
CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
I think part of the problem is the way they farm out these moving jobs. The military contracts out a logistics company (who takes a cut) who then hires a local moving company (who takes a cut) then the driver/team lead hires a team of day laborers to actually do the pack. The guy at the bottom of the totem pole isn't getting paid squat so it's really no surprise the quality is crap.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SCPO Investigator
2
2
0
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???
(2)
Comment
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
>1 y
Agreed, I hope that move is from my current residence! SCPO (Join to see)
(2)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Avatar feed
Has anyone filed a claim against a moving company for damage during a move?
CPT Physical Therapist
2
2
0
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.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Opsnco
1
1
0
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CAPT Kevin B.
1
1
0
Edited >1 y ago
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.
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Craig Johansen
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Lt Col Jim Coe
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
TSgt Robert Allen
0
0
0
Yes. You need to get 3 quotes for replacement or repair for each item. Then they will pay You for actual damages.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
CPT Physical Therapist
0
0
0
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.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close