Costco Delivery Damage Claim: What to Document
Two years into this claim, the things that mattered most were the ones written down on the day they happened. This is the checklist, built from what ended up as evidence.
The purchase
- The receipt or order confirmation, showing that installation was part of the sale.
- Screenshots of the product page and checkout as they looked when you bought, including anything said about installation and installers.
- The delivery appointment confirmation.
The day of the damage
- Photos and video of the failed connection, before it is touched.
- Photos and video of every affected room, with a timestamp.
- The delivery paperwork and the names of the crew.
- The time the crew left and the time the damage was found.
Every company, in writing
- Which company is handling the claim, and its claim number.
- The legal name of the company that performed the installation.
- Whether that company is insured, and a copy of its certificate of insurance.
- Whether you should continue repairs, and who will pay if you are told to wait.
- When you will next hear from them.
The costs
- Mitigation and drying invoices.
- Storage and moving invoices.
- Temporary housing receipts.
- Repair estimates from licensed contractors.
- A list of damaged belongings with photos and values.
- Any professional you had to hire to get the claim handled, and why.
The silences
Write down when you were promised a call and did not get one. In this case the family went thirteen days over Christmas without hearing from anyone, and that gap is why they hired a public adjuster.
Common questions
Should I email or call?
Both, but always follow a call with an email confirming what was said. In this case the emails became the evidence.
Should I keep paying for repairs while the claim is open?
That depends on your situation and is a question for a professional you trust. Whatever you are told by the companies, get it in writing.
This guide is general information from one customer's experience, not legal advice. The quotations come from the record of Byrd v. Costco; see the timeline and the court file.