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Household goods claims.
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Household Goods Claims
If a household goods claim is to be filed, there are certain rules and timelines to follow.
To view a PDF outlining our claims management program, please click here (pdf).
This firm can handle your claims from start to finish, so that you as the moving company can focus on your business. We offer three (3) claims packages to meet your needs:
Package A. Package A is an introductory package and allows for up to 3 new claims per month. Once a claim is received for damages or missing items, the moving company should immediately forward the claim to us. The maximum number of claims or complaints under this program are 3 per month. Many small moving companies find Package A to be sufficient to their needs. The monthly service cost for Package A is $350.00. Any additional claim over 3 per month will be charged at $125.00 per claim.
Package B. Package B is an intermediate package and allows for up to 6 new claims per month. Once a claim is received for damages or missing items, the moving company should immediately forward the claim to us. The maximum number of claims or complaints under this program are 6 per month. The monthly service cost for Package B is $600.00. Any additional claim over 6 per month will be charged at $105.00 per claim.
Package C. Package C is an advanced package and allows for up to 10 new claims per month. Once a claim is received for damages or missing items, the moving company should immediately forward the claim to us. The maximum number of claims or complaints under this program are 10 per month. The monthly service cost for Package C is $975.00. Any additional claim over 10 per month will be charged at $100.00 per claim.
Sign up for 6 months and receive a 5% discount. Sign up for a year and receive a 10% discount.
Household Goods Claims Overview
This article will provide a brief overview of the claims process and timeline for household goods moving claims.
In order to file a claim with a household goods moving company, the claim:
- Must be in writing;
- Must be “timely filed”;
- Must clearly identify the shipment;
- Must assert liability;
- Must make a claim for payment of a specified or determinable dollar amount.
To be “timely filed” means that the claim must be filed in writing with the carrier within nine (9) months from either 1) the date of delivery (or in the event of total loss, on the date the shipment should have been delivered), or 2) the date of conversion from Storage in Transit to permanent storage. The shipper can file a claim at any time during these nine (9) months, but not later.
After the shipper files the claim with the carrier, the carrier has thirty (30) days to acknowledge receipt of the claim. The carrier has no obligation to respond immediately after receiving a claim, and it is often in the shipper’s best interest not to constantly contact the carrier as this may aggravate the issue. The carrier will need time to review, gather the paperwork, analyze the merits of the claim, and draft a response. The carrier has one hundred and twenty (120) days from receipt of the claim to either pay, decline to pay, or offer a settlement to the shipper. At the end of the one hundred and twenty (120) days, the carrier may receive an extension of an additional sixty (60) days.
When a moving company receives a claim, it should do the following:
1. Provide claim form and open a claims file (must assign a unique claim number)
2. Acknowledge the claim within 30 days
3. Gather information and research the facts
4. Look into potential liability and valuation options
5. Provide shipper with a settlement or compromise offer with a written release form
These rules and timelines have been placed into effect in an attempt to make it fair and reasonable to both the carrier and the shipper.
Quick Links
Get a Tariff - Learn more about the EZ-Tariff and Advanced-Tariff solutions.
Operating Authority - Need to get your interstate moving license from the FMCSA (DOT)? We offer operating authority assistance and in many cases can get your USDOT number within 24 hours.
Forms - Need a custom Bill of Lading, Order for Service, Estimate, or other form created for your company? We offer form creation and customization services for moving companies at reasonable rates.
Claims Management - Would you like to outsource your moving company claims to a transportation attorney? We offer claims management packages.
Household Goods Blog - Stay current with the law and learn about interstate household goods regulations by reading the "Ship My Goods" blog published by the firm (this will open in a new window).
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In General
David Piotrowski is a certified claims analyst, having successfully completed the American Moving and Storage Association's (AMSA) claims and arbitration program. In addition, Mr. Piotrowski is a member of the Transportation Lawyers Association, whose members include prominent transportation lawyers from throughout the country. Mr. Piotrowski is uniquely positioned to handle your transportation law matters as they pertain to the household goods moving industry.
