ByHow to File a Complaint Against Movers That Lost My Stuff
Moving is often very stressful. We hire moving companies, hoping they will simplify our move. We assume that once it's in the moving van, it will arrive at our location safely. Then, when you discover that , you feel utterly overwhelmed.
Sadly, it happens more often than most of us realize. Each year, there are about 7,000 incidents reported to FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
If it happens to you, it isn't something you have to deal with alone. DoNotPay can help you discover what to do when filing complaints against a moving company that loses your stuff.
Should I File a Complaint Against My Moving Company?
In a perfect world, we would remember to cover our bases before hiring a moving company. This means that we would:
- Take Photographs and Document What Is Transported by Movers
- Get Insurance Coverage for Our Belongings
- Do Ample Research on the Moving Company
- Understand How to Pack Everything Safely
Since this isn't always something we do, we have to ask if we should file a complaint and whether it will be effective for us to do so. This is where things get a little more complicated.
Before you start filing complaints, you will need to:
- Check Your Agreement: This will tell you how the company suggests you handle complaints against them. It may also tell you about limitations, such as they will cover only up to a certain amount and what complaints they are willing to try and help you solve.
- Contact Your Moving Company: When contacting them, you should keep a record of all communications with them. This will protect you if it becomes a matter.
Movers Lost My Stuff: What Now?
When hiring a moving company, we are entrusting them to take care of our belongings until they reach our new home or office. Finding out that things didn't go according to plan can be frustrating.
Whether your items or simply sustain damage, filing a complaint against the moving company will need to be your priority. It can be handled in one of three ways.
To file a complaint, you will first need to determine who to contact. A good starting point is the moving company itself since it will give them the option to settle things without taking action.
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File a Complaint With the Moving Company
You should be able to file a complaint with the moving company that you have chosen. The sooner you file the claim, the better, but it should be done within nine months of the scheduled delivery. The best way to handle this type of claim is to first write a claim letter and send it through certified mail to the moving company.
From there, the moving company may offer you a settlement for the loss or damages. If their offer does not feel like enough to cover your losses, then you will need to turn it into a matter.
If you determine you need a lawyer to help you send demand letters to the moving company, you can use DoNotPay's services, without the expense of a traditional lawyer. The way it works is simple:
- Contact DoNotPay online or through the app to get in touch with the only AI Consumer Champion to be recognized by the American Bar Association's Louis M. Brown Award for Access.
- Allow DoNotPay to write and mail your demand letter, complete claims forms, or court scripts.
- If necessary, DoNotPay can help you get into small claims court.
If you still prefer to keep things simple and try to handle them without involvement, you have two other options. You can:
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To File a Complaint With Your State
If you moved from one part of your state to another, you may need to contact someone within your state. Each state has different contact options and different forms you may need to fill out.
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To File a Complaint Across State Lines
If the movers took your items across state lines, you would need to contact the FMCSA. You can file your complaint online, provided you have all the information. Some things you will need to include will be:
- Pickup Date
- Previous Address
- Delivery Date
- Destination Address
- A Detailed Description of the Incident
- Your Allegations Against the Moving Company
- Your Current Contact Information
- Any Proof of Damages or Loss You Have Available
What to Say When Contacting The Moving Company That Lost All Your Stuff?
If you are writing a complaint letter to your moving company, you will need to do it in the right way. Some tips for writing an effective complaint letter include:
| Be Specific | The more details you can provide, the more likely your chance of success will be. For instance, if you are missing your computer, your favorite dishes set, or everything from your bedroom; you need to tell the moving company exactly what is gone. This includes model numbers, color descriptions, and anything else you can use. |
| Dates That the Moving Company Transported Your Items | You should be specific when creating a timeline for your items. The date you signed the contract with the moving company when the movers came to your home, and the date of your delivery will all need to be put into your letter. |
| Show Proof | We know you may not have a photograph of all your items readily available. Include as much proof as you can. Show copies of the contract, copies of the paperwork left when the movers picked up your items, photographs of damaged items, etc. Everything you include in your letter will go toward proving your claims. |
How DoNotPay Can Help You Solve “Moving Company Lost My Stuff” Issues
No one enjoys the idea of going after a company or an entity. However, sometimes it is necessary. DoNotPay can simplify filing a complaint against your moving company. They can do it in the simplest and fastest way possible. All you have to do is:
- Search for moving issues on DoNotPay.
- Start our Solve My Moving Issues product by telling us the name of the moving company you are having issues with.
- Answer some questions about your specific move, your moving company, and the complaint for which you’d like relief.
DoNotPay will write a letter to your moving company, detailing both your complaints and your demands for compensation and relief and warn against a lawsuit if those demands aren't met. If you don't get a response within two weeks, we can help you escalate to small claims court!
DoNotPay Can Deal With Movers and More
Dealing with complaints to help people solve "" type issues is just one of the many things DoNotPay can do. We can also help you:
- Send Demand Letters To Companies or Individuals in Small Claims
- Fight to Get Airline Compensation for Cancelations and Delays
- Help You Find Things That Have Been Lost
- File Complaints Against Other Companies
- Lessen the Wait Times with Customer Service
To learn more about the many services that DoNotPay offers, you can visit online. DoNotPay is always available to help you!