Moving and Shipping Claims

For most of us, moving ranks close to the top on life's most stressful events. If you sustained damage or are missing items from your shipment, we are experts at helping you get your claim filed and any damaged furniture items repaired. It does not matter if your freight damage requires furniture refinishing, upholstery, a broken leg repaired or a small touch up on wood or leather.  We are equiped to handle all kinds of freight damage. It is important for you to carefully review your contract and any other insurance policies for details pertaining to the recovery of damages. At Brandt and Whitney, Inc. we are very experienced in helping home owners, furniture factories, furniture stores and adjusters get their claims filed and resolved. You can know when a van line sends us, they are serious about getting things corrected.

• The first step in resolving a moving damage claim is to contact the headquarters or main office of the freight line or shipping company that was responsible for your move.All major shipping companies will have a Freight Claims Damage Associate on their staff.  For smaller and local movers you may be resolving the claim with the company owner.

• You will need to request a Freight Claim Report. This should be provided to you from the van lines Claims Department.

• Some times there is a set limit on the amount of time you can take to get the claim form returned to them. YOU WILL WANT TO BE SURE TO FILE YOUR CLAIM WITHIN THEIR SPECIFIED TIME LIMIT.

Many freight line and relocation contractors will use a specialized third party service like Brandt & Whitney to follow up on your claim once you have submitted it to them.

WHEN A MOVING COMPANY REFERS YOU TO BRANDT & WHITNEY YOU KNOW THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING THE MATTER RESOLVED!

 We Pledge to You:

• We cover up to 300 miles (round trip) of the Metropolitan Denver, Colorado area to perform an inspection or pick up damaged items.

• We will call to book your claims inspection with in 24 to 48 hours of receipt of the request.

• We will expedite the processing of your claims inspection report.

• Once your claim has been approved or authorized by the claims department, we will immediately schedule the processing of your order.

• Your order will not be complete until you are 100% satisfied with our results.

• We will handle your furniture like it was our own.

   

Eight reasons why moving companies deny damage claims

If the moving companies deny your damage claim, review the following list of reasons before proceeding with any further action.

1. You must be able to provide proof of damage; otherwise you will have no case. You cannot file a claim for items that were not damaged as a result of the move.

2. Your claim must be within the time frame allowed, which is 9 months from the date of delivery.

3. Movers are not liable for boxes that you packed yourself unless there is damage externally and the evidence shows the boxes were improperly handled. Otherwise, it may be concluded that the damages to the content of the boxes occurred as a result of the packing.

4. If you claim damage to any item listed on the inventory sheet as damaged prior to being moved, the mover will not be responsive. Remember not many pieces of furniture are in pristine condition.

5. Movers are not liable for the inner workings of electrical appliances, including washer and televisions, unless the evidence shows the external damage is the sole cause. Otherwise, the damage can be attributed the customers mishandling of something unrelated to the move. Remember movers are not aware of the appliances' functionalities. They only ship them.

6. Movers are not liable for damages caused by the weather. Extreme humidity, especially during the summer months may cause warping or mold.

7. Movers are not liable for damages caused by self-repair of the items or if glue residue from a prior repair is found. The latter may indicate that the glue had dried out or gave way.

8. If you are asking for more money than the claimed item is worth, the movers will not be responsive. You must be reasonable and fair. You cannot claim damages based on your personal value. If a disk containing important information is missing, you will only be reimbursed for the disk, not its contents.