Full Replacement Value provides coverage for servicemembers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrea Thacker
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Members performing a permanent change of station to or from Moody are now eligible for full replacement value on personal property items that were damaged, destroyed or lost while in the care of the Transportation Service Provider.

The Full Replacement Value program represents a new contract with the carrier industry which gives Department of Defense customers, servicemembers and civilians, the right to receive the full replacement value of their damaged or lost items at no additional cost to the individual. Under the old claims process, members were given a depreciated value based on the items type and age.

"In the past, if a Transportation Service Provider lost or destroyed something during a move, the servicemember would only be paid the depreciated value of the item," said Dave Talley, 23rd Wing Traffic Management Officer. "Often that meant the servicemember had to pay money out of pocket to replace the item."

Under the new program, the TSP or carrier is liable for the greater of $5,000 per shipment or $4.00 times the net weight of the shipment (in pounds), up to $50,000.

Full reimbursement eligibility applies to international shipments with a pick up date on or after Oct. 1 and Nov. 1 for domestic shipments. Members will be eligible for full reimbursement on Non-Temporary Storage and Direct Procurement Method shipments beginning March 1, 2008.

Providing prompt notice of loss and damage will be an essential part of the process.

"Individuals must notate the damages on the DD Form 1840 or the pink form given to them by the carrier at time of delivery or as soon as they realize the damage or loss because this informs the carrier," said Senior Airman Candace Rust, 23rd Wing Judge Advocate civil-law paralegal.

The customer must submit the DD Form 1840 (listing all damage discovered at delivery) or the DD Form 1840R (listing all damage discovered after delivery) to the TSP within 75 days of delivery. The TSP has the right to inspect the damaged items once the notice forms are received.

When the claim is filed directly with the TSP, they will be responsible for obtaining all repairs and replacement costs, said Mr. Talley. If the provider cannot settle the claim by repairing or paying to repair damaged items, they will pay full value cost for the items.

If they deny the customer's full claim, makes an offer on the claim that is not acceptable, or does not respond within 30 days, the individual may transfer the claim to the Military Claims Office.

If a claim is transferred, the customer will receive the item's depreciated value. The claims office will then attempt to recover the full replacement value from the TSP. If the claims office receives full value they will pay the member the difference.

"The new program was designed to ease the process," said Airman Rust. "But if someone is experiencing difficulties or would like help from a claims specialist, we would be more than happy to walk them through the process."

A detailed set of guidelines that governs full replacement value coverage can be found at www.sddc.army.mil. For additional information on this process, contact Mr. Talley at 257-3550 or 23rd Wing Judge Advocate office at 257-3414.