Once you entrust your household possessions to the services of a packers and movers company, it would only be natural that you expect your possessions to arrive without any problems. Moving entails loading, transporting, unloading, and handling the items at various stages in the process, which means that sometimes there is a chance for damage to be done to furniture, appliances, glassware, electronic items, and other household items.
In case of any damage done to your items while moving, there is no need to get worked up. There are certain things you can do to take care of the situation.
Being aware of them prior to your move will help you considerably.
Understand What “Damage During Transit” Means
Transit damage basically means any form of damage sustained by your belongings when moving from the pickup location to the destination. But there can be other instances where damage occurs at various stages of the moving process such as during packing, loading, transportation, unpacking or handling.
Examples include damage that might have been sustained by a piece of furniture when moving it, damage caused to glassware during packing in a carton, and electronic appliances showing signs of physical damage when they arrive.
It is important to examine your belongings before you start packing them up. You can take pictures of your valuable or delicate items prior to the move.
Check Your Belongings Immediately After Delivery
After moving all your stuff to your new place, don’t be too quick to approve everything just because you haven’t done any thorough inspection.
First, examine the crates and bigger things in terms of damages, whether it be dented boxes or packing, scuffs, punctures, fractures, or any abnormal appearance.
Especially watch out for any fragile things, furniture, gadgets, and anything else that could have been damaged easily during transportation.
There is no need to open up all the packages right away, especially after a long trip. But fragile or important items should be inspected as soon as possible.
Take Photographs of the Damage
If you find broken items, take photographs before relocating or restoring or cleaning anything that is broken.
Make sure that you take pictures from various angles and wherever possible, take pictures of the packaging. Taking photographs of the box that the item was shipped in or even the protective materials will help establish more context on what occurred.
If you had taken pictures of the item prior to the move, then you should keep them as well. Having a before and after picture will definitely help your case.
Documentation is one of the most valuable tools in dealing with damage claims.
Inform the Moving Company Quickly
Do not take weeks to notify the moving firm of damage. Notify them immediately after the discovery of the problem.
Provide details of the damage and give them photos or other information in relation to the matter. Do not make assumptions on how the damage took place but remain objective throughout the process.
Find out how the moving firm will handle the complaint and if there are documents needed.
If there is a complaint/claim form from the moving firm, fill it out and keep copies of all your correspondence.
Check Your Moving Agreement
Before asking for any specific amount of money in compensation, take a look at the papers you received when you booked your moving service.
Your contract might have some details on liability, claims, exceptions, valuation, insurance, and the process of filing for damages.
The amount or kind of compensation that will be provided depends on what you agreed upon, what type of damage there was, the chosen service, and even some regulations.
That is why it is vital to know the terms of the deal before the move takes place.
What About Moving Insurance?
Some of the moves might be made through protection such as insurance of the goods being transported. However, this is subject to variation since it depends on the mover and the choice of coverage.
Do not assume that all movers give full-value coverage to all goods.
Before the move, find out what kind of coverage they have and what is offered additionally. Find out the terms such as the kind of damage covered, exemptions, claim process, and documentation.
If you are not sure about the ramifications of an insurance policy, then get guidance from a suitable expert.
Keep Receipts and Proof of Value
It is helpful if documentation is available to prove the worth of the property in case it has been damaged.
Documentation such as receipt of purchase, bill, warranty, etc. should be kept. In case of old items, pictures and other means of documentation will also be helpful in proving the worth of the property.
Do not discard any damaged packaging material immediately if the moving company or insurance firm might require the same for inspection purposes.
Don’t Repair Damaged Items Immediately
Repairing scratches on your table, damages on any appliance, and damage on your furniture can be so alluring. But you must wait and document the damages and discuss the situation with the moving company before proceeding.
In many cases, the moving company or even the insurer needs to examine the item before the item is repaired or replaced.
Do not touch or alter the item or its box at all until you are told otherwise.
What If an Appliance Stops Working?
Not everything will appear obvious. The appliance may seem perfect on the outside yet not work properly once it is transported.
Before you accuse the moving company of causing the problem, make sure the appliance is properly installed and needs any settling once transported.
If the appliance does not start working, report the situation and speak with the moving company. If there is a warranty for the appliance, you might want to contact the manufacturer as well.
Save all documentation of your inspection and/or repair as it will be handy when speaking to the moving company about the problem.
What If Furniture Has Scratches or Dents?
Damaged furniture is among the more obvious concerns after relocating. Any scratches, dents, chipped corners, or even damaged hardware might be apparent when unpacking.
Compare the condition of the item to pre-move photographs that were taken.
Do not try to hide or fix the damage prior to reporting it. Contact the movers and ask how they handle inspections, repairs, or compensation.
The outcome will vary depending on the situation and your moving contract.
What If Glassware or Crockery Is Broken?
Special care needs to be taken when moving fragile kitchen wares and glass utensils since these articles cannot easily be replaced.
In case you find that some kitchen ware and/or glass items are damaged, take a picture of the damaged goods along with the packaging material. Do not dispose of the broken pieces and packing material until necessary.
When you have packed the articles on your own, the agreement terms will differ compared to one in which the packers themselves pack the items.
Keep Communication Professional
It is frustrating to deal with damage to one’s possessions, particularly if there is monetary or sentimental value attached to them. However, it is often helpful for resolving the situation if the discussion remains professional.
Communicate via the appropriate channels that the company offers and document all correspondence, email exchanges, photos, receipts, and claim forms.
In case an agent arrives to examine the damage, record the dates and information from this meeting and retain any documentation he or she gives to you.
What If the Moving Company Does Not Respond?
If you have made your claim regarding the damage and not getting any response, then follow up by making sure that your initial claim is in writing form.
Be sure to maintain the record of when you made contact with the company as well as the details you shared with them. If the company has any official way of handling such issues, you should utilize it.
If things still don’t get resolved, then you might want to look into some ways of protecting yourself in your particular case.
How to Reduce the Risk of Damage
The most effective means to manage moving damages is to minimize their occurrence as much as possible.
Firstly, select a trustworthy moving company. Make sure you inquire about its packing process, handling techniques, transportation plans, and damage claims policy.
Make sure that proper packing material is used when packing any delicate objects and do not overload boxes. Expensive things need to be identified prior to the move, and precious items could even be moved separately in some cases.
Proper labeling is another means to prevent damage to your things since movers will then know which boxes contain fragile objects and which room each object should be placed in.
Final Thoughts
Finding damage on the moved items might prove to be a stressful situation, but knowing what to do can help to handle the situation better. Inspect the items after they arrive, document any damage that occurred, save the packaging, alert the moving company, and check the moving contract.
In addition to inspecting the items after the move, it is just as crucial to be prepared before the actual moving day. Ask the right questions about packing, transporting, liability, and protection for your things prior to turning them over to the moving company.
At Sunrise Packers & Movers, packing, handling, loading, transporting, and unloading are some of the key parts of the moving procedure. It is also essential for the clients to know the terms of the moving service and actions that need to be taken in case something goes wrong.