Guides / Moving company claims

How to file a damage claim against a moving company

If movers broke, lost, or damaged your belongings, you need to file a written claim with the moving company. For interstate moves, federal rules set the deadlines and how the company must respond, and how much you recover depends on the coverage you chose when you booked.

1. Document the damage right away

Note damage on the delivery inventory or bill of lading before you sign, if you can. Take photos of damaged items and boxes, keep the packing materials, and do not throw away broken items until the claim is settled. Make a list of each item, what is wrong, and its value or repair cost.

2. Check your valuation coverage

For interstate moves, movers must offer two levels of liability. Released value, the free minimum, pays no more than 60 cents per pound per item, so a 10-pound laptop may be worth only $6 in a claim. Full value protection makes the mover repair, replace, or pay the current market value of lost or damaged items, subject to its terms. Your bill of lading shows which one you have. The FMCSA explains this in its guide to valuation and insurance options.

3. File a written claim on time

For interstate moves, you have nine months from delivery to file a written claim, and the mover must acknowledge it within 30 days and pay, deny, or make an offer within 120 days. Send the claim to the mover’s claims department with your bill of lading number, the item list, photos, and receipts or repair estimates. Send it by certified mail and keep a copy. Local moves within one state follow state rules and your contract, so file as soon as possible.

4. Respond to offers carefully

The mover may offer to repair, replace, or pay. Do not cash a check marked “payment in full” unless you accept it as a final settlement. If the offer is too low, reply in writing with the reasons and your evidence.

5. Escalate if the claim is denied or ignored

For interstate moves, many movers must offer arbitration for disputes, and you can file a complaint with the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database. For local moves, contact your state attorney general or the agency that licenses movers in your state. Small claims court is another option; see our small claims demand letter guide.

What your letter should include

• Your name, old and new addresses, and the move dates
• The mover’s name, USDOT number (for interstate moves), and your bill of lading or order number
• The valuation coverage you chose
• Each damaged or missing item, what happened to it, and its repair or replacement cost
• The total amount you are claiming
• A list of enclosed photos, receipts, and estimates, and a request for written acknowledgment

Keep a copy of everything you send, and note the date you sent it.

Sample letter

Adapt this to your situation. Replace everything in [brackets] and remove anything that does not apply.

[Your Name]
[New Address]

[Date]

[Moving Company Name]
Attn: Claims Department
[Company Address]

Re: Damage claim, Bill of Lading #[number], move from [old city] to [new city], delivered [date]

Dear Claims Department,

Your company moved my household goods from [old address] to [new address], with delivery on [date]. I purchased [full value protection / released value coverage] as shown on the bill of lading.

The following items were damaged or missing at delivery:
1. [Dining table]: deep gouge and broken leg. Repair estimate: $[amount]
2. [43-inch TV]: cracked screen. Replacement cost: $[amount]
3. [Box 17, kitchen]: missing. Contents and value: [list], $[amount]

Total claimed: $[total]

I noted [some of] this damage on the delivery receipt. Photos, the inventory, receipts, and repair estimates are enclosed. Please acknowledge this claim in writing within 30 days and resolve it within 120 days, as required for interstate moves.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Phone] · [Email]

Frequently asked questions

What if I signed the delivery receipt without noting damage?

You can usually still file a claim, especially for damage you could not see until you unpacked. Note it in writing as soon as you find it, take photos, and file within the deadline. Signing for delivery does not normally waive your right to claim.

Is the moving company’s coverage the same as insurance?

No. Valuation is the mover’s liability under its tariff, not insurance. Some movers sell separate insurance through a third party, and your renters or homeowners policy may also cover belongings in transit, so check those too.

What if I used a broker instead of a mover?

Brokers arrange the move but do not carry your goods, so the claim usually goes to the actual moving company named on the bill of lading. Your broker should give you that company’s contact information.