What to do when movers damage stuff?

[jeromedawg]

So I'm watching the movers load stuff up from our storage unit and one guy had a cabinet hutch (Ikea of course lol) fall over and get damaged. They had me sign/initial something about insurance and it being up to 60 cents per lb or whatever. The guy wheeling it was apologetic and owned up

Otherwise, how does it all work when the movers damage your stuff, furniture, etc?

[Sibley]

Depends on the value of the item.

I had a glass cover for a small table disappear. The moving company replaced it.
I had a heavy slate/wood table top get dropped and it crushed an edge. I got some money for repair, but it didn't cover the cost of the repair.
Other things that have been damaged I simply haven't bothered.

If you have just their standard insurance, no extra, then you're not getting much. You can certainly ask for replacement/repair costs, but given its ikea you're not going to get much. If you purchased extra insurance, then you can probably get replacement value.

[TrMama]

We've done 2 corporate paid moves with movers. It's totally normal for them to damage AND lose stuff. When your items are delivered, check every item against the inventory list to make sure it arrived. Then open every box and verify nothing was broken or damaged inside the boxes (although this is unlikely if you packed the boxes yourself). Don't sign anything until you've completed the above steps. Every mover we've dealt with pressured us to sign off on delivery before we'd had a chance to check.

You should get replacement cost for every damaged/lost item. So if your Ikea cabinet can be replaced from Ikea today for $200, that's what you get.

[Metalcat]

It depends on your contract.

I personally just expect items to get damaged in a move by a normal company, but back when I had finicky antiques, I specifically hired companies with excellent damage policies, who wrapped every item in padded blankets.

How it works depends on what your contract says.

[reeshau]

Yes, if you are insured per pound, then you have the most basic level of insurance. 

I have moved several times through my company, including overseas.  This included a fairly comprehensive insurance, which then requires valuation of your objects beforehand, including appraisals of art, etc.  (In the international move, this was also required for customs clearance) This is so they can get a sign off from their insurance underwriter.  And any extra things they have to do, e.g. crating art, adds to the cost.

If you didn't make them aware of your item's value beforehand (and through a formal process, as I describe above) then you are SOL.  But that comes with the price point you paid.

[nereo]

OP - I’m unclear on what you want or expect to happen here. It sounds like the mover admitted the fair and the company offered to pay up according to your contract.

What would make you “feel whole” here and how far off is that from what you were offered?