How to File a Personal Property Claim

The George Washington University is not responsible for damage to or loss of the personal property of its residents. However, the University will consider reimbursement in those instances in which the University has caused the damage or loss.

When a resident thinks the University has caused damage to or loss of his/her personal property, the resident should notify Residential Property Management (RPM) immediately and complete the Resident Property Damage/Loss Claim Form detailing how the damage or loss occurred and listing the items that are being claimed for replacement. If RPM determines that the claim has merit, it will send the form to the Office of Risk Management. The Office of Risk Management will investigate the claim and determine the validity and value of the claim. The resident should not dispose of damaged property unless authorized by the Office of Risk Management. Processing property damage/loss claims may take up to 90 days. If the claim is accepted, the resident will receive a settlement offer and payment after signing a release. Risk Management will take possession of destroyed property subject to the settlement.

The University's responsibility is to cover the repair or replacement of the damaged property up to its actual cash value (i.e. the replacement cost of the item(s) minus an established depreciation factor) and not the replacement cost of a new item. To the extent that the amounts claimed for repairs or replacement exceeds the actual cash value, the Office of Risk Management will in the settlement offer depreciate the claimed amount to develop the cost of a similar item of like, kind and quality.

• Resident Property Damage/Loss Claim Form (download)