If you’ve ever done a PCS, you already know: damages happen. Something will break, get lost, or show up looking like it got run over by a tank. And the worst part? You’re already drowning in paperwork, unpacking chaos, and the existential crisis of figuring out where the forks went. Filing a PCS damage claim is the last thing you want to deal with, but if you don’t do it right (and fast), you’re leaving money on the table.
So let’s talk about how to get paid faster, without adding to the PCS misery.
Photograph everything
PCS damage claims live and die by proof, and your best weapon? Photos. So before the movers show up, channel your inner crime scene investigator. You need timestamped, undeniable evidence of your stuff in pristine condition—because once it’s on that truck, all bets are off.
Take high-quality, well-lit photos of everything that matters. Not just the big stuff, either. Take pics of your bookshelves, gaming consoles, kitchen gadgets and that one expensive lamp you splurged on.
Photograph serial numbers on electronics, appliances, and anything high-value. No serial number? Screenshot the purchase receipt and keep it in a PCS folder.
Open drawers and cabinets. Yes, even the junk drawer. Because if something inside goes missing, like your AirPods, passport, or the one screwdriver you actually like, you’ll need proof it existed in the first place.
Zoom in on scratches, dents, and fabric details on your couch, chairs, and wooden furniture. That way, when it arrives looking like it survived a bear attack, you can prove it wasn’t already damaged.
Photograph the boxes before they’re sealed. If your movers wrap dishes in one single paper towel, you’ll have receipts (literally).
And because movers love to play the “you can’t prove it wasn’t already broken” game, take a full video walkthrough of your house. Pretend you’re filming for tv. Open closets, pan over shelves, and narrate like a true crime doc: Here lies my perfectly intact coffee table … let’s see how it looks in three weeks.
Insider tip: Once you’ve taken all your photos, email them to yourself with the subject line: PCS Photo Evidence – [Year]. That way, if your phone dies, your cloud fails, or your sanity evaporates mid-move, you’ve got an unhackable backup ready to go.
Don’t sign for damages you don’t agree with
On delivery day, the movers will shove paperwork at you while simultaneously blocking every doorway with boxes. Do not sign the inventory sheet without checking for damages first. If something is missing, broken, or looks even slightly off, note it.
If a box is crushed, note it. If a table leg is missing, note it. If your TV screen looks like an abstract art piece, note it. And take photos!
Photograph the inventory sheet before handing it back. Lost paperwork is a classic PCS scam.
Prepare to negotiate for your damaged items
PCS claims for damages are not a one-and-done deal. After you’ve submitted your claim, you’ll be linked with your moving company. But here’s the thing. Moving companies will often try to pay you less than the price of a gas station sandwich for your destroyed TV and act like your shattered dishes are worth $5 total. Do not accept their first number.
Here’s how the game actually works:
They’re banking on you being too exhausted to fight back. PCS season is chaos, and they know most people won’t push for more money. But you? You’re not most people.
They’ll pretend depreciation is the law of the land. Your 5-year-old couch may not be “brand new,” but that doesn’t mean you should get pennies for it. Push back with fair market value estimates.
They expect you to take their lowball offer and move on. Here’s how you win the battle. First, screenshot identical replacement costs from major retailers. Amazon, Best Buy, Wayfair: whatever proves how much it costs to replace what they broke.
Then, get repair estimates in writing. If your broken dining table costs $400 to fix, attach that documentation.
Use their own rules against them. If they claim a damaged item is worth less, ask for their specific valuation formula. Most won’t have one.
Escalate if they stall. If they start dragging their feet, remind them, politely, of course, that you’re more than happy to loop in your chain of command, base legal or the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Office.
They’ll try to gaslight you into thinking your claim isn’t worth fighting for. But the more organized you are, the harder it is for them to ignore you. Stay firm, stay polite, and most importantly, get what you’re owed.
Get paid and move on
Once the money is in your account, actually replace all the damaged stuff. Don’t let it disappear into the PCS black hole where reimbursements mysteriously vanish.
Set a reminder for your next PCS to start the documentation process early. If your experience was a disaster, leave reviews. Milspouses have to stick together, and we all rely on our groups. The same goes for if your claim was handled well. We love a good HEA!
PCS moves are stressful enough. The least they can do is pay you for what they broke. Get your photos, file fast, and don’t let the moving company shortchange you. You earned that money. Go get it.