As a professional mover, I want to add it can be upsetting when a moving company refuses to pay for damage. It can be done when the moving claim is worth more than $10K. There are things you can do to make things better.
Jeffery, my young client, had moved in a few months ago. While unpacking, he found a badly moving company damaged property of old furniture.
Even though he had a lot of proof, we denied the moving claims, saying the damage happened after delivery.
But with some wise and legal steps, he proved us wrong, and it’s appreciating. From here, we got to know our mistakes. The hopes that he adopted and let us know are given in this blog.
Insurance Options: Save Your Pocket
As a firsthand experience in moving, I’ve noticed Federal law illustrates that interstate movers must give two types of liability policies.
They are called Full Value Protection and Released Value. These may help you face the losses.
Full Value Protection
Full Value Protection means that your mover will pay the replacement value of a lost or broken item. Thar is quite comprehensive but an expensive system of protection.
Moving companies can limit their legal responsibility to losses or movers pay for damages of “extraordinary value” items, such as jewelry, china, artworks, antiques, or furs worth more than $100 per pound.
You should get written confirmation of this restriction from your mover before the move. The exact cost of Full Value Protection varies from mover to move, and your deductible may be different, which could lower your total cost.
Released Value Protection
Released Value Protection is the most cost-effective option; I ensure as a mover, movers will not charge you extra. This choice is cheap, but it doesn’t cover much. The mover is only responsible for 60 cents/pound per item.
My client Nimmy had a Martin Guitar weighing around 4.70 pounds. That broke by us while relocating. So, when she let us know about the incident with proper before and after pictures of the guitar.
According to her signed agreement, it was under released protection. That’s why we gave him $300 for his 4.70 weighing guitar.
If you choose this, you must sign the bill of lading or contract saying you agree to Released Value Protection.
It is crucial to know that the amount of money given is based only on how heavy the thing is, not how much it is worth.
As it’s legal law. So, we can’t deny it as movers.
File a Complaint: Adopt Legal Way
As a client, you have the right to protest when something goes wrong.
If the movers didn’t support you while your staff was damaged by them or refused to take the responsibilities, then there is FMCSA, BBB to help you out. You can call or complain online.
Source: BBB Complaint Section
Hire a Lawyer
If the moving company is tough to handle, then you must go to a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of this situation and laws.
You can communicate with your local attorney too. If you need to face small claim courts, which are less expensive than regular ones.
Additional Ways to Protest the Refusal
So, to get rid of these situations, you can follow some tricks and tips:
- Get in touch with the responsible moving company in writing
- Go through the proof, reminding them of their contractual duties
- Don’t miss to take photos of pre-move and post-move items as evidence.
When a moving company refuses to do what it’s supposed to, your chances of getting a good outcome are higher if you stay firm and keep good records. Try any of the solutions if you are in a similar type of hassle. Comment below to share your experience.
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