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Moving: Damage claims

The long-anticipated Full Replacement Value protection now provides better coverage for service members’ household goods that are lost or damaged while in the care of moving companies. Under the new policy, a member can recover $5,000 per shipment, or $4 times the weight of the shipment in pounds up to a maximum of $50,000, whichever is greater, as compensation for a loss.

FRV coverage applies to personal property shipments picked up on or after:

å Oct. 1, 2007, for international shipments.

å Nov. 1, 2007, for domestic shipments.

å March 1, 2008, for nontemporary storage and for local move/direct procurement method shipments.

There are some procedure changes in filing for claims, however. Service members must file directly with the moving company, rather than with the Military Claims Office. Claims must be filed within nine months of the delivery date. If not, the company is liable only for depreciated value of lost or damaged items, as was the case before FRV went into effect.

As before, the member uses DD Form 1840 to document damage or loss discovered at delivery, or form DD Form 1840R for damage or loss discovered after delivery. These forms are submitted directly to the moving company within 75 days of delivery.

The company will settle the claim by repairing or paying to repair damaged items, and will pay full replacement value for items that are damaged beyond repair, lost or destroyed. The company is also responsible for getting repair/replacement estimates.

If the service member files the claim after nine months but before the two-year time limit, the company is liable only for the depreciated value of lost or damaged items. War or armed conflict may extend the filing period beyond nine months, for good cause.

If the company denies the full claim, makes an offer that is unacceptable, or does not respond within 30 days, the service member may transfer the claim to the Military Claims Office.

Detailed FRV guidelines are at http://www.sddc.army.mil under the “Full Replacement Value” banner.