New HHG Replacement Begins Oct. 1

The Defense Department’s program for providing full replacement value for household goods lost or damaged during moves starts phasing in Oct. 1. Under the program, service families will have nine months to file claims with their moving company. Claims filed after nine months and before two years will qualify for payments at the depreciated value. Under full replacement, the moving company will be responsible for up to $5,000 per shipment, or $4 times the net pounds of the shipment up to $50,000, whichever is larger. The phase-in dates: Oct. 1 for shipments to and from overseas, including Hawaii; Nov. 1 for moves within the other 49 states; and March 1, 2008, for household goods in permanent storage. The new coverage comes at no cost.