Fair Claims Guide by IFI
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Let us assume you have a damaged garment - How will you or your drycleaner or any legal arbitrator determine the adjustment amount? If you prefer to download and print a copy of the information contained on this page, click here for instructions.

Every textile product has a "life expectancy" according to its intended purpose, material content and the rate of change in fashion or style. Since an article may retain a degree of usefulness beyond the point of life expectancy, it has some residual value for as long as it remains in useful condition; however, this is usually a minimal monetary value. An article that is rendered unwearable, or worn out, within or beyond its normal life expectancy, has no value and no negotiable basis for adjustment regardless of the nature of the loss or damage. Sentimental value because of personal attachment is subjective and is ruled out as a valid consideration.

See Table 1 - Average Life Expectancy of Textile Items in Years

As with life expectancy, age and condition are also taken into consideration in deciding the value of a used textile article at the time of damage or loss. A very worn garment is less valuable than an identical garment of the same age in good condition. A garment also loses value with the passage of time, regardless as to whether or not its owner has obtained fullest use of it.

See Table 2 - Claims Adjustment Values Criteria

Here is a step by step method for calculating adjustment value:

  1. Determine the replacement cost of the article.
  2. Refer to Table 1 for the type of item and its life expectancy.
  3. Refer to the appropriate column in Table 2.
  4. Read down the column to the actual age of the article.
  5. Read across this line to the adjustment values and choose the value that best describes its condition.
  6. Multiply this adjustment value by the replacement cost to determine the adjustment amount.
Fairclaims Guide by IFI
An Editorial by Dave
Dave's Desk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparel
Bathing Suits...............................
Bathrobes
     Lightweight..............................
     Heavy or Quilted.......................
     Wool.......................................
Blazers
     Cotton and Blends....................
     Imitation Suede*.......................
     Wool.......................................
Coats and Jackets (Outerwear)
     Childrens.................................
     Cotton and Blends....................
     Down.......................................
     Fur.........................................
     Imitation Fur or Suede*.............
     Leather and Suede...................
     Plastic....................................
     Wool.......................................
Blouses.......................................
Choir Robes................................
Dresses
     Casual.....................................
     Office.......................................
     Silk.........................................
     Evening
          High Fashion.......................
          Basic.................................
Formal Wear...............................
Gloves
     Fabric......................................
     Leather....................................
Rainwear and Windbreakers
     Film and Plastic Coated............

*Nonwoven only. Life expectancy for coated or flocked articles is two years.

2
2
3
3
3
3
4
  2
  3
  3
10
  3
  5
  2
  4
  3
  6
2
3
2
3
5
5
1
2

2
 Fabric, lined and unlined..............
     Rubber and Plastic..................
Shirts
     Dress......................................
     Sports.....................................
     Wool or Silk.............................
Ski Jackets
     (Including Down)...................
Skirts..........................................
Slacks
     Lounging & Active Sport............
     Dress......................................
Socks..........................................
Sports Coats
     Cotton & Synthetic Blends........
     Imitation Suede*.......................
     Wool and Wool Blends.............
Suits
     Cotton and Synthetic................
     Summer-weight Wool...............
     Imitation Suede*......................
     Silk........................................
     Washable................................
     Winter-weight Wool..................
Sweaters....................................
Ties.............................................
Underwear
     Foundation Garments...............
     Panties...................................
     Slips.......................................
Uniforms.....................................
Vests...........................................
3
5
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
1
3
3
4
2
3
3
3
2
4
3
1
1
1
2
1
2
Household Furnishings
Bedspreads........................
Blankets
     Heavy Wool and
        Synthetic Fibers..........
     Lightweight.....................
     Electric..........................
Comforters.........................
     Down.............................
     Fiberfill...........................
Curtains
     Sheer..............................
     Glass Fiber......................
Draperies
     Lined..............................
     Unlined...........................
     Sheer..............................
     Glass Fiber.....................
Sheets & Pillow Cases........
Slipcovers...........................
Table Linen
     Fancy.............................
     Other..............................
Towels................................
Upholstery Fabrics..............
6
10
 5
 5
 5
 5
 3
 3
 3
 5
 4
 3
 4
 2
 3
 5
 2
 3
 5
Table 1: Average Life Expectancy of Textile Items in Years
Life Expectancy Rating of Article in Years (From Table 1)
Adjustment Values

Percent of Replacement Cost
Depending on Condition

 Excellent       Average       Poor

1
2
3
4
5
10
Age of Article
    0-4 mo.
    4-7 mo.
    7-9 mo.*
  9-11 mo.*
 11-13 mo.*
   13 mo.
   & older
*Use only with "Average" column in figuring Adjustment Value.
    0-4 mo.
    0-4 mo.
   0-4 mo.
    0-4 mo.
 Less than 1 Yr
   100%
      100%
  100%
    4-7 mo.
    4-10 mo.
   4-13 mo.
   4-16 mo.
   1-4 yrs.
    75%
       75%
   60%
   7-13 mo.*
  10-19 mo.
 13-25 mo.
 16-31 mo.
   4-6 yrs.
   70%
      60%
  45%
 13-19 mo.
 19-25 mo.
   25 mo.
   & older
  19-28 mo.
 25-37 mo.
 31-46 mo.
   6-8 yrs.
   50%
      40%
   30%
 28-37 mo.
 37-49 mo.
 46-61 mo.
  8-11 yrs.
   30%
      20%
   15%
    37 mo.
   & older
    49 mo.
   & older
    61 mo.
   & older
  11 years
   & older
   20%
      15%
   10%
Table 2: Claims Adjustment Values Criteria
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**Table 1 Reprinted with permission from International Fabricare Institute (IFI)
**Table 2 Reprinted with permission from International Fabricare Institute (IFI)