By Christopher Noblit

Overview - The Household Goods Descriptive Inventory
If any of your household goods are lost or damaged while in permanent storage, storage-in-transit, or during transportation, it is the customer's responsibility to correctly document that such loss or damage occurred while the shipment was in the mover's care and custody. This is accomplished with the "Household Goods Descriptive Inventory,” a document that is prepared by the driver at the origin residence, prior to loading the shipment onto the mover truck.

The Household Goods Descriptive Inventory establishes what is being moved and each item's condition when the mover takes the shipment into it's possession. By signing the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory at origin, the customer acknowledges what was loaded onto the mover’s truck and the condition of each item when the mover took possession. Upon final delivery of your goods at destination, you will be asked to sign the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory again. Any loss or damage which occurred while your shipment was in the mover's care must be noted on the inventory at this time. If you fail to do so, your claim may be denied.

When your goods arrive at destination you need to look your goods over thoroughly after they've been unloaded. If any are missing or damaged, you must note it on the mover's copy of the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory and retain a copy for your records.

How The Household Goods Descriptive Inventory Works
The driver places a sticker with a number on each article that is loaded onto the truck at origin. The article number is entered on the Household Goods Descriptive Inventory and the item is described on in the “Item Description” column on the inventory (Example: Dining room chair”). Next to the article description the condition of the article is entered in code (example: “CH, 2, 5, 6”). The codes are listed at the top of each inventory page. In the proceeding example the code (“CH, 2, 5, 6”) means chipped on the bottom left leg. In this manner all of the articles that comprise the shipment are described.

A Procedure For Documenting Loss or Damage
When the driver arrives to make delivery, ask for a “Bingo Sheet” (also known as a “Customer Check Off Sheet”). This is a form with inventory numbers zero (0) to five hundred (500) listed on it. Set yourself up at a central location by which all of your goods will pass. As the crew unloads and passes this central point have them call out the inventory number of each piece they carry by you. As they call out each number put a slash through that number on the Bingo Sheet. This will be your record that each item has been received. In addition, do your best to look each piece over as it goes by but do not impede the progress of the delivery crew. If you notice any damage make a note at the bottom of the Bingo Sheet (example: “34 – box crushed” or “123 – top scratched”). At the end of delivery day you may note that several articles do not have slashes through them and you will take exceptions on these article numbers as “not delivered” (unless the driver can find them inside the destination residence. In addition, you should make a list of articles that you are especially concerned with and – after delivery has been completed but before the driver leaves – you should thoroughly inspect the articles on this list to uncover any damage that has occurred.

Completing The Paperwork At Destination
Both you and the driver will sign the Bingo Sheet and each page of inventory after delivery has been completed. Remember that when you sign these documents you are acknowledging that each article was received and that each was received in the same condition that your tendered to the mover (subject to any “exceptions that you took on the Bingo Sheet or Household Goods Descriptive Inventory pages. Also remember that any loss or damage which occurred while your shipment was in the mover's care must be noted on the inventory at this time. If you fail to do so, your claim may be denied. Most van line mover give you nine (9) months to file a loss or damage claim…however…you should file your claim without delay.

Summary
A van line claim settlement can be a simple and relatively pleasant experience if you have documented your claim correctly. I encourage you to study this article to learn to do so and -- if you have any questions – ask you van line agent for information and guidance.

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