Published October 12, 2026
Here's the part nobody emphasizes at the PPM briefing: you are the moving company. You rented the truck, you loaded the boxes, and when the TV arrives with a cracked screen, there is no carrier to file a claim against. A damage claim after a PPM move works differently from one after a government-arranged move, and the difference matters before you unpack a single box.
On a government-arranged move, the system is built around the transportation service provider. The published timelines are specific: notify the mover of loss or damage within 75 days of delivery, file the full claim within nine months to protect full replacement value, and there's a two-year backstop for filing with your service's Military Claims Office. A PPM has no TSP in that chain. The claim route runs through your service's Military Claims Office directly, and the written claim has to be filed within two years of delivery. Same two-year ceiling, different door.
That structural difference changes what wins. With no carrier's insurance adjuster involved, your documentation is the claim. The claims office can't inspect what the movers broke, because there were no movers. So the file you build is the whole case: photos of high-value items before loading and after unloading, the inventory list you kept of what went in the truck, and receipts for anything worth real money. People who photograph the serial numbers on their electronics before a PPM move look paranoid right up until the moment they don't.
How to file a PPM move damage claim, in order
The sequence is real here, so I'll lay it out straight. Note any damage the day it arrives, even if you haven't finished unpacking; the clock runs from delivery, not from when you discover the scratch behind the couch. Gather the evidence for each item: what it is, what it's worth, what it cost, and what it costs to repair or replace. Then file the written claim with your service's Military Claims Office. Army members go through the Army's claims system, Air Force through theirs, and your local transportation or legal office can point you at the right one if you're unsure. Don't wait until every box is unpacked to start, because the two-year window doesn't wait for you.
One honest caveat: a PPM damage claim is adjudicated, not automatic. The claims office decides what's covered and at what value, and undocumented items are the ones that lose. That's the real argument for the photo inventory, and it's an argument you make before the truck is loaded, not after. The claim you win is the one you started documenting on moving day.
Frequently asked questions
How is a PPM damage claim different from a government-move claim?
On a government-arranged move, you file against the transportation service provider through DPS, with notice within 75 days and the full claim within nine months. On a PPM there's no carrier, so the claim goes directly to your service's Military Claims Office, with a two-year filing window from delivery.
How long do I have to file a PPM damage claim?
The written claim must be filed with the Military Claims Office within two years of delivery. Don't confuse the filing deadline with the unpacking schedule: the clock runs from delivery.
Can I file a PPM damage claim in DPS at move.mil?
DPS is the system for moves handled by a transportation service provider. A PPM is self-procured, so there's no TSP to claim against there. Your route is the claims office.
What documentation actually wins a PPM damage claim?
Before-and-after photos, an inventory of what went in the truck, and receipts or appraisals for high-value items. Undocumented items are the ones that lose in adjudication.
Who do I contact to start the claim?
Your service's Military Claims Office. If you're not sure which one that is, your local transportation office or base legal office can point you at the right one.
Estimate your PPM payout before the move.