When you need to file a claim with your moving insurance, the first step is to contact your moving company and request official documentation. All moving companies will have such documentation and will have an official process for handling complaints. This process includes filing a claim within 45 days of delivery, receiving a claim package with specific instructions, and submitting the requested information within 60 days. Most claims are resolved within 7 days or less, provided that you and your moving company have submitted all the required documentation. Before joining the system, every company is thoroughly checked for their relevant state and federal transportation licenses, their valid liability, auto, cargo and warehouse insurance policies, their previous loss history (in terms of previous claims), their Better Business Bureau (BBB) record (although not necessarily being a member of the BBB) and their overall experience in transporting household items.
A process is in place for classifying companies in the system; however, this process is internal and not open to public review. Companies affiliated with us are ranked based on their loss ratio (claims paid versus premiums collected), but other factors are also taken into consideration. The quality of our affiliated companies is monitored periodically and continuously, as insurance is purchased or claims are filed by their customers. If the staff of a moving company damages your wall (or causes any other property damage) during the move, you can include it on your damage claim form when the move is complete. You can also contact your home insurance company if they covered you during your move.
Interacting with the claims department can be quite stressful as you will be “demonstrating the responsibility of your moving company for the damages you suffered during the move”. Your goods are covered for up to 90 days if they are stored in the storage facilities of the moving company (SIT), as well as if they are moved out of the warehouse. Rates vary depending on your type of insurance and also depending on the final destination of your household items, whether you're relocating locally, out-of-state, or internationally. On the day of the move, when the work is finished, the moving companies must provide you with a detailed list of the items they moved and the condition in which they arrived. Your carriers will reimburse or replace the item, depending on the insurance you have taken out with the moving company. You can read about both types of liability in the brochure Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, under federal regulations that moving companies must provide when moving from one state to another.
Damage claims are one way a moving company can regain your trust in their services after a failure (for example, damage to a move or loss of belongings), so it's important to file them as soon as possible. A moving company can quote you a price for your move, but then increase that fee once you arrive at your new home.
