Dealing with lost items during a move can be frustrating, but there are steps you can take to address the situation. First and foremost, keep a close eye on your important belongings, especially those in clearly labeled removal boxes. If you discover something missing, check all your packing materials thoroughly and retrace your steps to where you last saw the item. It's also a good idea to contact the moving company immediately to report the loss and check if it might have been misplaced during the move. Keep records and photographs of your valuable possessions, which can be helpful for insurance claims if necessary. While losing items can be disheartening, a proactive approach can often help you recover or replace what's missing during the relocation process.
It's not uncommon for items to get lost in the process. On average, more than 7,000 cases of lost items and fraudulent movements are reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) every year. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few steps you can take to try and recover your lost items. The first step is to make sure that the item is really lost.
Check all of your moving boxes and take a second walk around your house to make sure that nothing has been left behind. You can also call your old community apartment manager to see if the item has been left in your old apartment. If you still can't find the item, you can consider seeking compensation.
Filing a Claim
The next step is to file a claim with the moving company.Before hiring any moving company, it's important to ask how they handle claims and compensation. If you're not satisfied with the way the moving company handled the resolution, you can consider the AMSA Arbitration Program. This program is overseen by the National Arbitration Forum, which is a neutral non-governmental agency that is not affiliated with any moving company or the AMSA.
Insurance
You can also consider taking out insurance from an outside company.That way, you can file a claim with that insurance company if any of your items are missing. Keep in mind that the coverage offered by moving companies is not the same as that of insurance, and you can also opt for third-party insurance in addition to paying for coverage. Moving can be chaotic, but if you take the right steps, you may be able to recover any lost items. Be sure to ask about claims and compensation before hiring any moving company and consider taking out insurance from an outside company.
