Start with the right question
A move involves inventories, condition notes, delivery receipts, and service terms that may use different identifiers. A claim file should connect those records item by item. Federal interstate-move resources may not govern every local or international move.
Work through the checks
Identify the shipment terms
Keep the estimate, order for service, bill of lading, inventory, and valuation election. Record whether the move was interstate or another type. Do not assume ordinary insurance language describes the selected protection.
Document each item
Use the inventory number, description, condition before the move, and condition on delivery. Preserve photographs and packaging where relevant. Keep missing items separate from damaged items.
Record the delivery sequence
Save delivery exceptions, communications, and the date damage was discovered. Distinguish what was visible on arrival from issues found during unpacking. Do not silently revise a signed document.
Support the amount
Keep repair estimates, purchase records, and replacement comparisons with their dates. Record any salvage or repair already completed. An estimated retail replacement price is not automatically the amount payable under the shipment terms.
A record you can use
- Inventory item and description
- Condition evidence
- Delivery or discovery date
- Repair or replacement support
- Claim reference and response
Keep this record locally. Use document references rather than publishing account numbers or other people's personal details. An empty field means the information is still missing; it should not be filled with an AI guess.
Worked example
A fictional move delivers a table with a damaged leg and omits one numbered carton. The claim file uses separate rows for damage and loss, includes the inventory references, and labels a furniture repair quote as an estimate. It does not assume both items receive the same valuation treatment.
This example is fictional and illustrates the method, not a real case result.
Limits and next steps
Move type, contract terms, and claim requirements matter. Check the mover's process promptly and seek advice before discarding items or agreeing to a final resolution. This page does not calculate entitlement.
For interstate household-goods moves, consult FMCSA's official resources. Keep the submission and response with the itemized file and record any partial resolution accurately.