Making claims in the 2012 PCS season Published July 16, 2012 354th Fighter Wing Legal Office EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Last summer was a very busy moving season and this upcoming season promises to be the same for enlisted, officer and civilian employees. People can help alleviate any potential loss or damage to household goods by learning the rules under which household goods are moved and by preparing for a potential moving claim. You should take stock of what you own and its condition prior to your transportation service provider stepping foot into your home. Take digital photos or a video of high value items such as family heirlooms. Consider keeping such items in your possession during your move. Having a professional appraisal done on any antique furniture is also a good idea and can come in handy should you suffer a home fire or theft. A professional appraisal establishes the value of the item and can be used in the claims process to help establish any loss in value should the item arrive damaged from the move. When your goods are packed up by the transportation service provider, some of your high value items may be placed on the high value, high risk inventory. This special inventory supplements your household goods inventory and is used by the transportation service provider to protect these high value items such as currency, coins, jewelry, silverware and silver sets, crystal, figurines, furs, and objects of art. There are very specific rules regarding the use of this special inventory and you should inquire with your transportation service provider or the Air Force Claims Service Center regarding these rules. Although members are not prohibited from shipping currency and jewelry, the AFCSC strongly discourages this and recommends members move these items personally. Unfortunately, damage does occur. If you do suffer damage, you should be aware that your property is covered under the provisions of the Full Replacement Value legislation enacted by Congress in 2006. This means that transportation service providers are required to pay the full replacement value on any items missing or destroyed during your move or replace the item. Transportation service providers are also required to repair any item that can be repaired and are responsible for contacting a repair firm. The FRV program is an important benefit for Airmen and comes with some changes to the process that you may not be aware of. First, most Airmen will be required to use the Defense Personal Property System for the claims process. DPS can be accessed online at http://www.move.mil. The FRV program requires Airmen to deal more directly with the transportation service provider. For example, the loss/damage report that lists damages and losses Airmen discover after the transportation service provider has completed delivery goes directly to the provider through DPS. If DPS is not available for your move, you can also file your loss/damage report through the AFCSC website at https://claims.jag.af.mil. Remember that filing a loss/damage report is not the same as filing a claim. The loss/damage report simply puts the carrier on notice that an Airman has discovered additional damage or loss since delivery. A report must be received by the carrier within 75 days of delivery and failure to meet the 75 day deadline could result in no reimbursement for loss or damage to those items not noted at the time of delivery. Under the FRV program, you are required to file your claim directly against your transportation service provider. This claim must be made within nine months of delivery of your household goods in order for you to receive FRV. If you miss the nine month deadline, you can still file a claim up to two years from the delivery date, but you would receive only depreciated valuation. If you are not happy with how your claim processing is proceeding, you can transfer your claim to the AFCSC 30 days after filing against your transportation service provider for any reason or no reason whatsoever. Additionally, if you are negotiating with your provider and would like someone within the Air Force to assist you, you can contact the AFCSC for support. Finally, if you receive an offer from your transportation service provider that you believe is unfair, you can transfer the claim to the AFCSC. The AFCSC can only pay depreciated valuation in most situations. However, after paying your claim, the Air Force will file an FRV claim against the responsible transportation service provider and may be able to pay you an additional award recovered. The AFCSC currently has a 98% recovery rate against transportation service providers. The AFCSC is a consolidated claims operation of Air Force claims professionals who can assist members through the claims process. The AFCSC is honored to serve those who put service before self every day. Call DSN 986-8044 or 1-877-754-1212 and press 1 to talk to an expert. Alternatively, members can email us at AFCSC.JA@wpafb.af.mil, visit our website at https://claims.jag.af.mil or go to our Facebook site by searching for "Air Force Claims Service Center."