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.

Consult the Moving Agreement (Contract)

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.

Gather Evidence

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.

Contact the Moving Company

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.

Submit Your Documentation

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.

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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.

Another avenue is to contact the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA). Like the Better Business Bureau, the AMSA has no formal authority to legally require a company to compensate you for damages or misleading claims of service, but they will also request an explanation from the moving company as to what occurred. It may seem like the BBB and AMSA are not able to help you in the ways you’d like in resolving a claim, but they can both bolster your case for legal action, should it come to that. Unlike the BBB, the AMSA does have membership, which many moving companies take part in, which can be helpful in arbitrating in the case of complaints registered with them.

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.

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