Movers damaged your furniture: how to file a claim

A broken table is frustrating, but a written record will help you get paid.

The answer in 2 lines. At delivery, check your furniture and boxes while the crew is still there, photograph any damage and write it on the inventory or delivery receipt before you sign. Then send the mover a written claim. For an interstate move, federal rules give you nine months, and how much you get back depends on the protection level in your contract. For a move within one state, state rules apply. If the mover won't pay, look at arbitration, your state consumer protection office or small claims court.

The first 3 steps

At delivery, check furniture and boxes in front of the crew, and photograph every scratch, crack or crushed box.
Write specific notes on the inventory or delivery receipt before signing: "oak dresser, left door split," not just "subject to inspection." FMCSA warns that signing a receipt that releases the mover from liability can cause problems later.
Send a written claim to the mover as soon as you can, by email and by a method that gives you proof (certified mail, for example), listing each damaged or missing item with photos, even if you already wrote notes at delivery.

How much you get back

For interstate moves, federal rules require movers to offer two levels of liability. What you signed decides your payout.

Full Value Protection: the mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods. Under federal rules, this is the default unless you knowingly signed for the lower option. It can come with a charge and a deductible.
Released Value: free, but very limited. The mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per item. FMCSA's example: a 10-pound stereo component worth $1,000 brings only $6.
An expensive item you didn't list separately may be limited under your contract. Check your bill of lading.
Keep the broken item and its pieces: the mover or its insurer may want to inspect it.

What not to do

Signing the delivery receipt "in good condition" because the crew is in a hurry.
Throwing out or repairing the item before the mover has answered.
Letting the claim slide for months: evidence gets harder to prove, and you risk missing the deadline.
Paying a mover that demands cash or a large deposit before the move, or asks you to sign forms with blank fields: these are red flags the FTC warns about.

If the mover refuses or stalls

Response deadlines (interstate): under federal rules, the mover must acknowledge your claim within 30 days and pay, deny or make a settlement offer within 120 days. If it needs more time, it must send you written status updates.
Arbitration: interstate movers must offer an arbitration program. If you ask for it, the mover must take part for claims of $10,000 or less. Above that, both sides must agree. It's optional for you, and often cheaper than a lawsuit.
File a complaint with FMCSA: use the National Consumer Complaint Database or call 1-888-368-7238 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday to Friday). Have your name and contact details, the mover's name, DOT and MC numbers, the origin and destination, and a short account of what happened. FMCSA doesn't resolve individual claims, but complaints go on the mover's record and can lead to an investigation.
Court: as a last resort, small claims court. Limits and procedures vary by state.

Moving within your state

Federal FMCSA rules cover moves that cross state lines. A local move inside one state follows state rules, which vary: some states license movers and set their own claim rules, others do very little.
The FTC suggests asking your state consumer protection office or attorney general whether your state has rules for movers. That's also where to complain about an in-state move.
Moving scam? Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Good to know

Moved yourself with a rental truck and friends? The rental company isn't responsible for your furniture. Your homeowners or renters policy may cover some damage: check your policy or ask your insurer.
If you hired a broker, the mover that actually carried your goods is responsible for loss and damage. Ask the broker for its name and contact details.
Interstate movers must be registered with the U.S. DOT. Before you hire one, you can look it up and see its complaint history through FMCSA's Protect Your Move tools.

Kevin moves from Atlanta to Charlotte. At delivery, he finds a dining table leg snapped. He photographs it and writes "dining table, front right leg broken" on the delivery receipt before signing. Two days later, he emails his claim with photos and the bill of lading. He had chosen Full Value Protection, and the mover offers to pay for the repair.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on November 6, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for federal rules on interstate moves (FMCSA, eCFR); medium for in-state moves, which depend on your state. Your payout depends on your contract.