You can file a claim with your moving company for goods lost or damaged. There are a few things you need to keep in mind, however, to ensure you recover money for your loss.

Filing the Claim

When the movers arrive to load your goods, they will ask you to review and sign an inventory sheet or Bill of Lading. You’ll be asked to sign this document again when the shipment arrives at your new residence. Before taking delivery, check to see if you have any damaged or missing goods. If so, note them on the inventory sheet. Noting damage or loss on the paperwork helps to make your claim stronger.

Next, contact the agent who handled your move to request the necessary paperwork for filing a claim for damages or loss. Don’t expect the actual onsite moving workers to handle the claim for you. If you find goods damaged by the moving company after you move in, you generally have several months from the date of delivery to file a claim. You’ll want to file the claim as soon as possible.

Keep in mind whether you note the damage at the time of shipment or after the movers have unloaded and left, you want to save the damaged goods for inspection.

After You File the Claim

The moving company needs to acknowledge receipt of your claim within 30 days. Generally you can expect to hear from the company within a week. After acknowledging your claim, the company will send out a claims adjuster to inspect the damaged goods and estimate the cost of repair. Generally the moving company has to deny your claim or make you an offer within 120 days.

Your settlement cannot exceed the liability amount you declared on your shipment. If you valued your goods at $10,000, that is the maximum liability of the moving company. If you are unable to resolve the claim with your moving company, you’ll need to file a civil action to recover damages or loss in court.