ScammedByMovers

How long do you have? The claim deadlines, from your dates.

A loss-and-damage claim against an interstate mover runs on a small set of federal clocks: you get at least 9 months from delivery to file, the mover gets 30 days to acknowledge and 120 days to answer, and a written denial opens at least 2 years to bring a civil action. Enter the dates you have — this tool turns them into calendar dates you can put on a wall.

Turn your dates into the federal deadlines

Enter whichever dates you have. Each one unlocks the deadlines that hang off it — nothing here is stored or sent anywhere.

Starts the clock on the minimum window for filing a loss-and-damage claim.

Starts the mover's own clocks: the written acknowledgment and the pay-decline-or-offer deadline.

Starts the minimum window for bringing a civil action.

The floors: federal law preserves at least 9 months from delivery to file a loss-and-damage claim, and at least 2 years after a written denial to bring a civil action — a bill of lading can extend both, never shorten them.[1] Once a claim is in, the carrier must acknowledge it in writing within 30 days[2] and pay, decline, or make a firm settlement offer within 120 days, with written status updates each 60 days after that while the claim is pending.[3]

A loss-and-damage claim, step by step

  1. Document the damage before anything moves

    Photograph every broken or missing item, keep the inventory sheets and the bill of lading, and note any damage on the delivery paperwork before the crew leaves.

  2. File a written claim with the mover

    Identify the shipment by its bill-of-lading number, list each lost or damaged item with the amount you are claiming, and attach photos and receipts. Federal law gives you at least 9 months from delivery to file.

  3. Know what caps your recovery

    What the mover owes is set by the liability option on your bill of lading — 60 cents per pound per article (released value) or replacement value (full-value protection). Get any settlement offer in writing.

  4. If it is denied or lowballed, consider arbitration

    Every interstate mover must offer an arbitration program, and for a claim of $10,000 or less it is binding if you request it.

    How moving arbitration works →

  5. Put it on the federal record

    File with the FMCSA National Consumer Complaint Database for an interstate mover. It tracks patterns and enforcement; it cannot recover your money for you.

    NCCDB: nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov  ·  1-888-368-7238 (1-888-DOT-SAFT).
    How to file, step by step →

  6. Small claims or civil court

    For the money itself, a civil action is the path — you generally have at least 2 years after a denial to sue.

    Small claims, step by step →