At Royal Moving and Storage, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and the care we take with your belongings. However, we understand that accidents can occur, and it’s important to be prepared for how to handle these situations. This guide will provide you with all the necessary steps to file a claim for any lost or damaged items during your move with us.
1. Understand Your Window to File a Claim
The opportunity to file a claim depends on the type of move:
- Local Moves: Any move under 50 miles within Florida may have varying claim submission windows depending on the specifics set by the moving company.
- Intrastate Moves: Moves over 50 miles but within Florida also vary by company in terms of the claims window.
- Interstate Moves: For moves crossing state lines, customers have a uniform window of nine months to file a claim.
- International Moves: Moves outside the United States require claims to be filed within 30 days.
Why Different Windows for Claims? Local and intrastate moves are governed by state-specific regulations rather than federal guidelines, allowing moving companies to set their own claim filing procedures. Conversely, interstate and international moves are regulated under federal law by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which standardizes the claims process.
2. Know Your Moving Coverage
Understanding the coverage options available is crucial. There are two main types of valuation protection:
- Full Value Protection: This comprehensive coverage option ensures you get full replacement value of your lost or damaged items. Should any of your belongings be damaged or lost during the move, your mover has the flexibility to repair, replace, or provide compensation for the full value of the items.
- Released Value Protection: This basic coverage is included at no additional cost but only provides minimal protection, reimbursing at a rate of 60 cents per pound per item.
At Royal Moving and Storage, we offer Full Value Protection through our partner, MovingInsurance.com.
3. Take Inventory of Any Missing or Damaged Items
When your items arrive, immediately check for any missing or damaged items:
- Take photos of the items and their packaging as they are unloaded and unpacked.
- Document all damages thoroughly with images and notes. This documentation will be invaluable when you file your claim.
Handling Damaged Items: Do not attempt to repair or dispose of any damaged items before the claim is settled, as this could affect your coverage.
4. Are Movers Liable for Items in Self-Packed Boxes?
Customers often choose to pack their own boxes to save on costs. However, it’s important to note that if items packed by customers are damaged, they may not be covered by valuation unless there is evident physical damage to the carton. Moving companies typically cover damages only if professional movers have packed the boxes. If you decide to pack yourself, it is crucial to do so with care and precision to ensure your items are well-protected.
5. Contact Your Mover and Provide Details
Once you have all necessary information and documentation:
- Begin the claims process by contacting Royal Moving and Storage directly. You can reach us by phone at 904-724-6683.
- Ensure you are aware of the claims submission window relevant to your move type to avoid any surprises.
6. Wait for Reimbursement, Replacement, or Repair
The duration to resolve a claim can vary based on its complexity, our policies, and responsiveness from all parties involved. If you are not satisfied with the resolution, you have the option to seek arbitration or pursue further legal action as outlined in FMCSA guidelines.
In Summary
It’s crucial to understand how to protect your belongings and manage any issues that arise during the moving process effectively. At Royal Moving and Storage, we are committed to ensuring that any problems are resolved professionally and promptly. If you have any questions about our claims process or need to start a claim, please contact us directly.