PCS Full replacement value vs depreciated value
On a PCS damage claim, full replacement value pays what it costs to replace an item with a comparable one today. Depreciated value pays that figure reduced for the age and wear of what you owned. Which one you get depends on whether you reported the loss and filed in time.
The difference
- Full replacement value (FRV) is what a comparable item costs now. It's not what you paid in 2019, and it isn't marked down for the years you used it.
- Depreciated value starts from that replacement cost and reduces it for the item's age and condition.
The gap grows with the age of the item, which is why the deadlines matter so much.
Which one you get
| What happened | What you're paid |
|---|---|
| You reported the loss within 180 days of delivery, and filed within 9 months (picked up on or before May 14, 2026) or 12 months (picked up on or after May 15, 2026) | Full replacement value |
| You filed after that window, but within 2 years of delivery | Depreciated value |
| You missed the 180-day notice window for an item | You lose full replacement value on that item |
| More than 2 years have passed | No claim — the wall is non-waivable |
The exact dates, and which filing window is yours, are on the PCS damage claim deadlines page.
An example
This one is illustrative, not a schedule. Say you paid $900 for a TV in 2021, it arrives with a cracked screen, and a comparable TV costs $700 today.
- Filed in time, the claim is built on the $700 it costs to replace — not the $900 you paid.
- Filed late, it starts from that same $700 and is reduced for the age and condition of the TV you owned.
Same item, same damage, same photos. The only thing that moved the number was the calendar.
Making the number hold up
The replacement figure on each line is the part a TSP is most likely to question. A few habits keep it defensible:
- Price a comparable item at today's price. A real listing for a like item beats a number from memory.
- Be specific about the item. DPS lines carry the inventory number, a description with brand, model and material, and the damage type, location and dimensions.
- Match the line to the evidence. If the narrative says "scratched" and the photo shows a snapped leg, fix the words.
- Don't pad. A clean, believable claim beats an inflated one.
The most a mover can owe
Carrier liability is $6.00 per pound times the shipment weight, with a $10,000 minimum and a $75,000 maximum per shipment. Full replacement value is how each item is valued; this is the ceiling on the shipment as a whole.
How PCS Pal fits. For each damaged item, PCS Pal drafts a claim line with a researched replacement value and a comparable listing link, in DPS's exact field names. You review every line and can change the number before anything is filed.
Quick answers
Do I get back what I paid?
No. Replacement value is what a comparable item costs now, not the purchase price. It can come out higher or lower than what you paid.
Can I still file after the 9- or 12-month window?
Yes, up to two years from delivery — but you'd be paid depreciated value instead of full replacement value.
Is there a cap on what I can recover?
Carrier liability is $6.00 per pound times the shipment weight, with a $10,000 minimum and a $75,000 maximum per shipment.
Does PCS Pal decide my replacement value?
It researches a figure and a comparable listing for each item, but the claim is yours. You review each line and can change the number before you file it in DPS.
Confirm your own dates in DPS or with your transportation office. PCS Pal isn't a law firm, a claims adjuster, or a government agency, and these rules change. If a deadline is close, ask your local claims office or legal assistance — don't take a web page's word for the last day you can file.