Preparing for a Permanent Change of Station Move
Property Damage or Loss
Preventing Property Damage or Loss
You can save yourself any extra headaches by preparing well in advance for your PCS move. One huge preparation that you must undertake is adequately protecting your valuables. The following tips may help you avoid damaging or loosing important or expensive items:
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Carry your cash, jewelry, professional and personal documents, stocks, deeds and sentimental items like photo albums on your person during a PCS move. Do not pack and ship these items as household goods. Neither the military nor the moving company will compensate you for loss of or damage to these items.
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Take a video or close-up photos of your belongings, making sure to show the current condition of these items.
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Get an appraisal of any expensive artwork, heirlooms or collectibles.
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Write down the serial numbers of any electronics you are moving and keep these serial numbers in a safe place.
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Make sure you agree with the condition of the furniture the movers assign on their inventory sheet.
If Property Damage or Loss Occurs
After you receive your property shipments at your new home, check for missing items and check all your belongings for damage. If you find any problems, immediately note them on the Joint Statement of Loss or Damage of Delivery (DD Form 1840). The other side of the document allows you to note damage that you find at a later date.
You will receive these forms upon delivery of your property, as they act as your receipt. If you have lost items or property damage, complete and return the form to your local claims office as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in you forfeiting any claims to monetary compensation.
DD Form 1840 is only a notice of damage, not an actual claims document. You must file a formal claim at your local claims office within two years of the delivery of your belongings. You are only entitled to $40,000 of compensation from the military for a single claim. You may want to consider purchasing extra insurance. For PCS moves within the continental United States and Alaska, the military offers both additional and full-replacement coverage.
Additional help and resources are available online at the Department of Defense Special Report: It's Your Move website
