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How To File A Claim Against A Moving Company
How To File A Claim Against A Moving Company
Most complaints filed against moving companies are based on one of two things: your belongings were lost or damaged and the moving company is responsible, or your delivery was not executed as per the terms of the moving contract. This second category can mean a lengthy delay on the part of the movers, or the price of your move was unexpectedly raised without reason. Both of these scenarios are pretty rare in the moving industry, with the exception of a few movers that are habitually at fault for these sorts of practices (one of the many reasons to research moving companies thoroughly before signing a contract with them). If you find yourself the victim of such a company, these are the steps you’ll need to follow to file a complaint to get the issue resolved.
Before you go forward with a complaint, either directly with the movers or with one of the organizations that regulate the industry, it’s important that you take a close look at the moving contract. If there are terms of the agreement that specifically detailed and the movers did not meet those terms, you likely have a strong case that you can proceed with.
Any evidence you have of wrongdoing on the part of the moving company should be collected an organized in a way that supports your complaint. This includes photographs of any damaged goods, receipts of payment for services, and any other documentation that you feel may be relevant.
Once you’ve gathered evidence that supports your claim, you should contact the moving company directly before taking any further steps. In many cases, complaints can be resolved by the company itself and without much hassle if they’re at fault. Like any other business, moving companies that operate professionally don’t want their customers to be upset and should be willing to own up to any oversights or mistakes on their part.
If the moving company is willing to work with you to resolve the complaint, they will likely request you documentation of the issue. If they are unable or unwilling to work with you on the issue, you can take the next step of filing a formal complaint with the appropriate organization. You also have the option of not accepting a settlement from the company, in which case you’ll probably want to take the next steps as well.
Three Men & A Truck provides nationwide moving services to any and all locations. If you have an upcoming move, contact us today at (888) 202-0036 to learn about how we can help! We are happy to offer FREE price quotes to all interested parties and we require no payment or obligation to get an estimate. You can also contact us and request an estimate through our online moving quote form.
What To Do If the Moving Company Denies Your Claim or Refuses To Cooperate
If any of the steps above fail to result in a resolution, there are several organizations you can contact that may be able to help you. The first is the Better Business Bureau can take a complaint to the company in question on your behalf and request a formal response. Though they may not be able to achieve a resolution in terms of financial compensation, the response from the company can be noted and documented on their website. You can file a complaint with the BBB by clicking here.
A third option is to contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a government body that regulates the moving industry. The FMCSA has more authority in matters of disputes with moving companies and may be able to help come to a solution in a way that the BBB and AMSA cannot. Since they regulate moving companies and their behavior, they can steps to try to rectify the behavior of moving companies that do not follow industry standards and laws.
If contacting the three organizations mentioned above doesn’t help, you can file a lawsuit against movers and take them to court. This is a last resort in most cases, but it is always an option if you’re not satisfied with an outcome or settlement. As mentioned above, taking steps to formally document any wrongdoing with the organizations and governing body in the moving industry can certainly help your case if you decide to take legal action.
Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.
If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at Chris@threemovers.com
