If your Edmonton movers damage items during relocation, act quickly to record and report all incidents properly to pursue compensation and remedies per standard moving and storage procedures.
Trusting movers to safely transport your life’s possessions brings enough stress. Discovering belongings irreparably damaged or outright missing after the unpacking dust settles adds painful insult to injury.
Yet even quality “moving and storage Edmonton“ outfits encounter occasional accidents despite best practices. So what recourse exists for securing fair restitution without resorting to small claims court?
While each moving company maintains unique policies, several standard steps apply for reporting damaged goods and reaching equitable settlements generally.
Thoroughly Document All Damage Upon Delivery
Before movers leave your home after delivery, carefully inspect all possessions unloaded.
Make notes on the condition report or bill of lading for any new damage beyond when items were originally packed and loaded.
Clearly describe damage specifics – torn upholstery, dented metal, chipped wood, cracked display screens, etc.
Add descriptions to accompanying photos documenting issues. Get crew foremen’s signatures on reports acknowledging awareness of claims. This creates a record should disputes arise later about responsibility.
If possible, safely set damaged items aside to also show claims adjusters later. But refrain from disposing of anything before final resolution.
Begin the Claim Filing Process Immediately
To start your claim, notify the moving company quickly, ideally while the crew remains onsite.
Get the name/contact of claims staff to interface with. Email executed condition reports with damage summaries plus photos that same day.
Follow up by phone to ensure the claims team received notification and registered your case. Make notes of who you spoke with and any next steps relayed.
Having documentation that you acted promptly to file reinforces your position if needing arbitration later.
Gather Supporting Documents and Track Communications
Beyond initial condition reports, compile other evidence demonstrating the worth of damaged or lost items should haggling over reimbursements arise.
Gather original receipts, owner manuals, appraisals, warranty docs, or registrations showing descriptions and values for higher ticket things like electronics, smart home systems, and appliances.
Save all emails, letters, or records of conversations with claims staff. Log names, dates, and details discussed each interaction adding clarity to timelines should disputes head toward mediation later.
Cooperate With Inspectors and Estimators
As part of claim investigations, moving companies often dispatch field experts to inspect damaged goods first-hand and consult on possible repair options or determine total losses.
Schedule these assessments quickly while coordinating access to damaged goods set aside during unpacking.
Walk inspectors through your documented damage reports highlighting the most concerning items and surface-level defects missed potentially.
Answer questions transparently regarding original costs, age, warranty status, and degree sentiments tied to things focusing on facts.
These professional estimates bolster negotiating equitable claim settlements later.
Negotiate Fair Damage Claim Settlements
Finally, with all documentation gathered and assessments completed, you can negotiate damage claim settlements with movers.
Have frank discussions on whether fixing, replacing or cash payouts make the most sense per item categories.
Aim for solutions leaving you whole, not better or worse off. Things naturally depreciate over time so used market values apply, not original retail prices.
But lowball offers based on depreciation alone often still fail accounting for difficult-to-restore sentimentals and indirect replacement efforts ahead.
Frame negotiations seeking win-win reasonable outcomes based on principles, not just positions.
If unable to establish a middle ground despite best efforts on both sides, then review options for engaging in third-party mediation around remaining gaps.
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Following these steps positions you to get fair remedy from moving mishaps beyond your control.
