You have your settlement (or your claim was denied). And you've read the explanation of how your claim was adjusted, but you still think you deserve more or you think you were overcharged! So now what do you do? The alternatives are... filing a complaint with the BBB, or a state or federal agency. But they can't get you any money. They can only present your complaint to the moving company and hope they will pay you more. Small claims court? If the moving company is in your state that may work. But the outcome is uncertain and you are on your own for collecting!
What's Next...
In cases where household goods are lost, damaged or destroyed, consumers are entitled to file an arbitration claim against the moving company.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires that disputed claims for loss or damage in the amount of $10,000 or less be submitted to arbitration.
Arbitration is an informal process in which two parties present their views of a dispute to a neutral third party, an arbitrator, who will listen to both sides, weigh the evidence and who will decide how the dispute will be resolved.
Arbitration provides a neutral and stress free method for the consumer to bring their complaints against a company and have an impartial arbitrator decide the issue.
Arbitration is the answer!
Arbitration should take place no later than 60 calendar days after your claim was final.
What is the deadline for an arbitration hearing?
Disputes are brought before a neutral third party (the arbitrator) who, after carefully reviewing all of the relevant information, issues a final decision. It may favor one of the parties or the decision may effect both parties.
The arbitrator will be asked to make a decision that he or she believes is fair based on the facts of your case.
Disputes eligible for arbitration are unresolved claims on interstate shipments of household goods for individual shippers that may occur as a result of ...
IMPORTANT! Only two types of disputes for interstate moves are eligible for arbitration!
What is arbitration?
- loss or damage involving the articles contained in
your shipment
- additional charges that were billed by your mover
after the delivery of your shipment.
Before submitting your arbitration statement, you should prepare an outline of your argument. That way you won’t forget important points in your favor.
Click Here to get a copy of the
Remember that the sole purpose of the document is to allow the arbitrator to gather and sort the facts in order to make a fair decision. You should be prepared to convince the arbitrator that your position is right.
Use common sense and professional courtesy as you proceed. You are writing because a disagreement exists, but keep that disagreement factual and within the bounds of normal courtesy and conventional language. Arbitrators may not have technical expertise, so your presentation may be more productive if you can use lay person’s terms to describe what happened
Arbitrations are presented in writing to the arbitrator.
This process entails a fee for both parties.
How do I write an arbitration statement?
Your moving company is required to have an arbitration program. Anthem Claim Management LLC is affiliated with the
For more information about arbitration visit the following Web site:
"Resolving Consumer Disputes: Mediation and Arbitration"
My dispute is eligible for arbitration and I want to arbitrate. Who do I contact?
association that represents carriers and agents in the household goods moving industry.
Your moving company may be a member of USMA. If they are they have an arbitration program with the American Arbitration and Mediation Organization located in Staunton, Virginia.
Go to the USMA Website by clicking on the link below and check the Members list. If your moving company is on the USMA list then click on the Arbitration link and follow the instructions there.
If your moving company is NOT on the list, contact your moving company and ask them who does their arbitration.
,a national trade
What happens after the Arbitrator makes a decision?
and can be enforced. Both you and the moving company must abide by the decision. If one party refuses to go with the arbitration findings, the findings/decision document can be used in court. Members of USMA who do not follow the arbitration decision will be dropped from membership.
binding
The arbitration is
That means the decision is final
