You planned everything. You labeled every box, wrapped the fragile stuff yourself, and handed over a check for hundreds — or thousands — of dollars to a moving company you trusted to get your life from Point A to Point B in one piece. Then you started unpacking. Your grandmother's mirror is shattered. Three boxes are missing entirely. Your couch looks like it lost a fight with a forklift. And when you called the company? You got voicemail, excuses, or a lowball offer that wouldn't cover the cost of one damaged item.
This is genuinely infuriating — and unfortunately, it's not rare. But the next move is yours, and it should be in writing. A written demand sent by USPS Certified Mail gives you a dated record of what you asked for and when they received it — the paper trail that matters if you escalate to small claims court, file a complaint, or pursue arbitration.
This is genuinely infuriating — and unfortunately, it's not rare. A written demand sent by USPS Certified Mail gives you a dated record of what you asked for and when they received it — the paper trail that matters if you escalate to small claims court, file a complaint, or pursue arbitration.
Interstate moves: the Carmack Amendment; inside Texas: state law
Interstate moves — any move that crosses a state line — are regulated at the federal level under the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 14706), which governs carrier liability for loss or damage to household goods. For moves entirely within Texas, state law and the terms of your moving contract apply. Either way, the moving company carries legal responsibility for your property while it's in their possession — and a written demand letter is how you state that claim in writing, with a delivery date on the record.
Under the Carmack Amendment, a moving company is liable for the actual loss or damage to your goods unless it can prove the damage resulted from causes beyond its control. Your liability coverage also depends on the valuation option you selected when you signed the contract:
- Released Value Protection — the default, bare-minimum coverage the mover must offer for free. It pays only 60 cents per pound per article. That means a 10-pound laptop damaged beyond repair gets you a whopping $6.00. Many people don't realize they agreed to this until damage happens.
- Full Value Protection — the mover is responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged items. This usually costs extra and requires you to have opted in.
Dig out your Bill of Lading — the official contract the mover gave you. It will show which valuation option applies to your move. That document is critical to your claim.
For intrastate (within Texas) moves, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) licenses and regulates household goods movers. If your mover was operating without a license or violated state rules, TxDMV can investigate and take disciplinary action — which is another arrow in your quiver beyond the demand letter.
The mover's legal name, your order number, and every damaged item
A demand letter is a formal record of your position: what was damaged or lost, what you are owed, and what you want the mover to do. Make it specific, make it clear, and leave no wiggle room about what you want. Here's what to include:
- Your full name, address, and contact information. Basic, but required. The company needs to know exactly who is making this claim.
- The moving company's full legal name and address. Look at your Bill of Lading — use the exact business name listed there, not just whatever is on the side of the truck.
- The date of the move and your move details. Origin address, destination address, and your job or order number. This ties your letter to the specific transaction.
- A detailed inventory of damaged or missing items. Don't just say "some boxes were damaged." List each item — "Sony 65-inch TV, model XR-65A80K" — with an estimated replacement value. Specificity is persuasive and harder to dismiss.
- Documentation you have. Reference any photos you took (before, during, or after), receipts, original purchase records, or repair estimates. You don't attach them all to the letter, but mentioning them signals you have evidence.
- The valuation option from your contract. Cite whether you had Released Value or Full Value Protection. This frames what you're legally owed under the agreement both parties signed.
- Your specific dollar demand. State the exact amount you're requesting — repair costs, replacement value, or both. A vague request for "compensation" gives the company room to lowball you. A specific number does not.
- A clear deadline to respond. Give the company a firm but reasonable window — 14 to 30 days is typical. State that if you don't receive a satisfactory response by that date, you intend to pursue all available remedies, including small claims court and a complaint with TxDMV.
- Your signature and the date. Sign it. Date it. This is a formal document, not an email.
Why You Should Send It via USPS Certified Mail
You could email this letter. You could text it. You could hand-deliver it. But none of those options give you what certified mail gives you: a government-issued, timestamped record proving the company received your demand.
When you send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt, you get a green card back with the recipient's signature and the delivery date. That card is evidence. If the company later claims they never got your letter — a surprisingly common tactic — you have a postal service record that says otherwise. It also shows any judge, arbitrator, or regulator that you acted in good faith and gave the company a fair opportunity to resolve this before you escalated.
It costs a few dollars more than a stamp. It's worth every cent.
They pay, they counter, they blame you, or they go silent
Responses vary. Here's a realistic picture of what you might encounter — no guarantees, just the common scenarios:
- They pay your demand in full. It happens, especially when the company knows they're at fault and wants to avoid a small claims filing or a TxDMV complaint.
- They make a counteroffer. They may acknowledge some liability but dispute your dollar amount. At this point you can negotiate, accept, or escalate.
- They blame you. Some companies will claim items were improperly packed, already damaged, or that you signed a delivery receipt without noting damage. (Check your delivery paperwork — if you noted damage at delivery, that's powerful evidence in your favor.)
- They go silent. No response within your stated deadline is itself useful information. It strengthens your position if you file in small claims court, because you can show you attempted to resolve this directly first.
If the company doesn't respond satisfactorily, Texas small claims court (Justice Court) handles disputes up to $20,000. Filing fees are modest, and you don't need an attorney — though consulting one about your specific situation is always a smart idea for larger claims.
Can a Texas mover hold your belongings until you pay more?
How long do I have to file a claim against a moving company in Texas?
For interstate moves governed by the Carmack Amendment, the mover's tariff (your contract) typically sets a deadline — often 9 months from the date of delivery to file a written claim. For intrastate Texas moves, your contract terms control. Don't wait. Check your Bill of Lading immediately and note any deadlines written into your agreement. Missing a claim deadline can bar you from recovering anything at all.
Do I have to use the moving company's own claims process first?
For interstate moves, federal regulations generally require you to file a written claim directly with the carrier before suing under the Carmack Amendment. A demand letter can serve as or accompany that written claim. For intrastate moves, there's no universal requirement, but starting with a direct written demand is almost always the practical first step — and it documents your good-faith effort to resolve things.
What if I already signed the delivery receipt without noting the damage?
Signing a clean delivery receipt makes your claim harder, but not necessarily impossible. If the damage was hidden — inside boxes, or not visible until you unpacked — you may still have a valid claim. Document the damage the moment you discover it, photograph everything, and send your demand letter as quickly as possible. Act fast; delays hurt credibility.
Can I file a complaint against the moving company with the state?
Yes. If your mover was licensed in Texas for in-state moves, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. For interstate movers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) accepts complaints at protectyourmove.gov. Filing a complaint won't automatically get your money back, but it creates a regulatory record and sometimes prompts companies to settle quickly.
My mover is demanding more money before they'll release my belongings. Is that legal?
Holding your goods hostage for additional payment beyond what was agreed is a serious violation. Under federal law, an interstate mover may collect the estimated charges on delivery, but can't demand substantially more without a valid reason. If this is happening to you, contact FMCSA immediately and consider consulting an attorney — this specific situation may warrant urgent legal action beyond a demand letter.