Dodgy Damage Claims and Misleading Volumes

I speak to at least a couple of Members every day. Normally they are calling me for advice or they have something to report that they think I should be made aware of.

I have learned from such recent conversations that a by-product of the squeeze on household budgets seems to be an increase in false allegations that the remover caused damage followed by the inevitable insurance claim.

It seems some customers are looking to recover some if not all of the move cost through insurance.

I have been in the removals industry for close to 40 years and believe me when I say false allegations of damage generally increase when money is tight so be alert to potential claims. That said you can reduce the likelihood of having to deal with such irksome nonsense if you take precautions,

My advice is to alert your crews to the problem and instruct them to photograph any item that is damaged before they move it. Video evidence can be even more powerful and one of our Member’s states on their quotation that they reserve the right to use video and record conversations during the move. The result is that since they implemented that procedure they haven’t been the victim of fraudulent damage allegations.

They also take videos if they arrive at collection address only to find they have been misled as to access or the volume items to be moved. If the move was quoted on the basis of a video survey they can then compare the video they take on move day with the survey video. Charging extra for a higher volume or long carries may be challenged but the challenge will be unsustainable given video evidence.

I hope this blog has been helpful.

Blog by Geoff Salt