Filing claims for move damages

  • Published
  • By Lavonne Taylor
  • Office of the SJA
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  By Lavonne Taylor
Office of the SJA

Although summer is the highest transition time for military members, there are winter moves - and with them comes the tension of moving everything you own.
The military has made changes in recent years to how claims for damage to household goods are filed.
Claims are now initially filed with the transportation service provider rather the Military Claims Office.
The result is that the burden of filing and tracking the claim fall mainly to the member.
Although the claims process can be intimidating and seemingly labor intensive, it is not impossible as long as you follow a few insider tips described below:
Inspect as much of your property as possible on the day it is delivered.
1. Note any damage on the "Damages At Delivery" form given to you by the movers.
2. Make sure the driver acknowledges the notations with a signature on the form.
3. Notify the TSP of any damaged or missing items within 75 days of delivery. There are several ways to provide notice, listed below, and
4. File your claim directly with the TSP within nine months of delivery of your household goods.
Most claims are now filed directly with the TSP through the Defense Personnel Property System by logging into the
secure Electronic Transportation Acquisition Portal at www.
move.mil.
If you miss the nine-month mark, you may still file your claim up to two years after delivery by contacting the MCO for your branch of service directly.

Giving notice
Giving timely notice of loss and damage is the single most important step you can take to insure a fair settlement of your claim.
Provide notice by mailing it yourself; use certified mail or other traceable means. You can also email the information to the TSP directly.
Make sure you identify the shipment and delivery date in the e-mail along with a list of items, the inventory number and the description of loss or damage for each item.
Ask for a confirmation of receipt from the TSP and select a "read receipt" before sending.
You can also fax your claim. Again, make sure you have identified all the items that are lost or damaged in the fax.
Obtain a confirmation that the fax transmitted successfully.
The DPS system can be used to submit notice. If timeliness is an issue, contact the MCO during duty hours or send notice via e- mail if it is during non-duty hours.
Those who need to file claims can also use the MCO in Bldg 600, Room 313/315, at 384-0330. The MCO will dispatch your notice for you.

Next, file your claim directly with the TSP within nine months using the DPS website at www.move.mil.

If you need assistance with any aspect of the claims process, contact the MCO.

They will assist you in accessing the DPS and ETA websites, filing your claim, obtaining documents you may need, and inspecting your items.

They also mediate between the claimant and the TSP when necessary.

If any part of your claim is denied or you cannot agree with the TSP, you may transfer your claim to the MCO.

Soldiers should be aware the Army claims web-site located at www.jagcnet.army.mil is not linked to DPS - and transferring your claim to the MCO in DPS does not file your claim with the Army.

Air Force personnel should file through DPS or contact the Air Force Claims Service Center at https://claims.jag.af.mil or email AFCSC.JA@wpafb.af.mil.

Coast Guard personnel should file through DPS or contact the USCG Finance Center at http://www.fincen.uscg.mil/hhg.htm.

Marines should file through DPS or e-mail at hqmc.claims@usmc.mil; Navy personnel
may file through DPS or contact Navy JAG at http://www.jag.navy.mil/organization/code_15.htm; the email is Norfolkclaims@navy.mil.

If you have questions, no matter which branch of service you are in, contact the Army Claims Office in Bldg 600.