I hope this is the best place for this question. Sorry in advance for the length, but I think you need the details.
I recently contracted a moving company to move my items from Denver to Hawaii. I purchases $20,000 worth of insurance as my homeowners insurance did not cover damage to the shipment, only lost or stolen items. They sent me valued inventory forms along with the detailed list of my items that the movers did when packing. Since my items were had been gone for 2 weeks already, I mentioned to the moving rep that I wasn't sure how i was supposed to remember everything to list on that form and the list they provided was very general (box of living rooms stuff etc.). She said not to worry, do the best I could. I was also concerned about estimating value. She again told me to do the best I could because if something happened, appraisal would deterimine value. I read the 2 instructions forms attached that just listed what kinds of items would not be covered. It just said to list items or provide a list of the contents of shipment. I did what the form asked, and I guessed on contents of the boxes and on amounts.
When the shipment arrived, the containers had been dropped and there were holes where water had gotten into the shipment. They also attempted to nail my container back together when it was dropped and proceeded to NAIL THROUGH many of my items. So when it got to us I began photographing and making notes. I called the moving company immediately. SHe send over a claim form and told me to submit it. I opened a claim, they got all the orginal paperwork from the movers and I submitted all my proof and started getting appraisels. I got an email from teh insurance lady telling me that over half my claim would not be covered because the forms I signed were not their companies forms and that alhtough I followed the rules on those forms, their policy required that I list everything or it is not covered and that an attached inventory did not suffice. It also stated that whatever amount I listed as value was the max I could claim on that item. I reviewed the forms I had originally signed and sure enough, it was for another insurance company altogether and that my agreement was with them, not this insurace company! The form I shoud have signed was very clear before you even signed it, that you must list every item or it isn't covered. The form I signed did not say that anywhere on the form. And actully, I went to the website for that company and they did have a very nice form that was detailed and had I filled that one out, this would be a non issue. I am not sure where they got this general form and when I asked, she doesn't answer only to say that the rules for both companies are the same and the forms don
t make a difference. Is she kidding? Contracts dont matter, I am just supposed to be psychic and no what they say?? Because of this mistake, I am not being covered for over $12,000.
I want to know at this point what does this mean what should I do? The movers are telling me that I need to submit the claim back to the insurance company for review and the insurance company is saying "why would we change our policy due to their error?" She already said that they cannot give me the correct coverage because it was not their fault and that the moving company is responsible. The movers are saying, "there is really nothing we can do if you didn't fill out the claim right." THe nerve!!!
I suggested they just refund me for the move which was $8000 and I would take a loss on the $4000. I figure with depreciation and time and effort to sue in court, this is a pretty fair amount. They are hardly speaking to me. They don't answer my questions. All of a sudden they have gotten really quiet and want me to submit all of my supporting documentation to their corporate office. Meanwhile, the inventory that was damaged was supposed to be part of my store that was launching on August 1 and now I have no income. Any thoughts or advice?
I recently contracted a moving company to move my items from Denver to Hawaii. I purchases $20,000 worth of insurance as my homeowners insurance did not cover damage to the shipment, only lost or stolen items. They sent me valued inventory forms along with the detailed list of my items that the movers did when packing. Since my items were had been gone for 2 weeks already, I mentioned to the moving rep that I wasn't sure how i was supposed to remember everything to list on that form and the list they provided was very general (box of living rooms stuff etc.). She said not to worry, do the best I could. I was also concerned about estimating value. She again told me to do the best I could because if something happened, appraisal would deterimine value. I read the 2 instructions forms attached that just listed what kinds of items would not be covered. It just said to list items or provide a list of the contents of shipment. I did what the form asked, and I guessed on contents of the boxes and on amounts.
When the shipment arrived, the containers had been dropped and there were holes where water had gotten into the shipment. They also attempted to nail my container back together when it was dropped and proceeded to NAIL THROUGH many of my items. So when it got to us I began photographing and making notes. I called the moving company immediately. SHe send over a claim form and told me to submit it. I opened a claim, they got all the orginal paperwork from the movers and I submitted all my proof and started getting appraisels. I got an email from teh insurance lady telling me that over half my claim would not be covered because the forms I signed were not their companies forms and that alhtough I followed the rules on those forms, their policy required that I list everything or it is not covered and that an attached inventory did not suffice. It also stated that whatever amount I listed as value was the max I could claim on that item. I reviewed the forms I had originally signed and sure enough, it was for another insurance company altogether and that my agreement was with them, not this insurace company! The form I shoud have signed was very clear before you even signed it, that you must list every item or it isn't covered. The form I signed did not say that anywhere on the form. And actully, I went to the website for that company and they did have a very nice form that was detailed and had I filled that one out, this would be a non issue. I am not sure where they got this general form and when I asked, she doesn't answer only to say that the rules for both companies are the same and the forms don
t make a difference. Is she kidding? Contracts dont matter, I am just supposed to be psychic and no what they say?? Because of this mistake, I am not being covered for over $12,000.
I want to know at this point what does this mean what should I do? The movers are telling me that I need to submit the claim back to the insurance company for review and the insurance company is saying "why would we change our policy due to their error?" She already said that they cannot give me the correct coverage because it was not their fault and that the moving company is responsible. The movers are saying, "there is really nothing we can do if you didn't fill out the claim right." THe nerve!!!
I suggested they just refund me for the move which was $8000 and I would take a loss on the $4000. I figure with depreciation and time and effort to sue in court, this is a pretty fair amount. They are hardly speaking to me. They don't answer my questions. All of a sudden they have gotten really quiet and want me to submit all of my supporting documentation to their corporate office. Meanwhile, the inventory that was damaged was supposed to be part of my store that was launching on August 1 and now I have no income. Any thoughts or advice?