Iris City Cleaners

Fair Claims Guide by IFI 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 un-wearable, 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.

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 1

Claims Adjustment Values Criteria

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

*Determine the replacement cost of the article.
*Refer to Table 1 for the type of item and its life expectancy.
*Refer to the appropriate column in Table 2.
*Read down the column to the actual age of the article.
*Read across this line to the adjustment values and choose the value that best describes its condition.
*Multiply this adjustment value by the replacement cost to determine the adjustment amount.

See Table 2

Table 1: Average Life Expectancy of Textile Items in Years

APPAREL			Gloves
Bathing Suits		2		Fabric	1
Bathrobes				Leather	2
	Lightweight	2	Rainwear & Windbreakers
	Heavy or quilted	3		Film & plastic coated	2
	Wool	3		Fabric, lined & unlined	3
Blazers				Rubber and plastic	3
	Cotton and blends	3	Shirts
	Imitation suede*	3		Dress	3
	Wool	4		Sports	2
Coats and Jackets (Outerwear)				Wool or silk	2
	Children's	2	Ski Jackets (including down)		2
	Cotton and blends	3	Skirts		2
	Down	3	Slacks
	Fur	10		Lounging and active sport	2
	Imitation fur or suede*	3		Dress	3
	Leather and suede	5	Socks		1
	Plastic	2	Sport Coats
	Wool	4		Cotton and synthetic blends	2
Blouses		3		Imitation suede*	3
Choir Robes		6		Wool and wool blends	4
Dresses			Suits
	Casual	2		Cotton and synthetic	2
	Office	3		Summer Weight wool	3
	Silk	2		Imitation suede*	3
	Evening			Silk	3
	High Fashion	3		Washable	2
	Basic	5		Winter weight wool	4
Formal Wear		5	Sweaters		3
Ties		1	Comforters		5
Underwear				Down	5
	Foundation garments	1	Curtains
	Panties	1		Sheer	3
	Slips	2		Glass fiber	3
Uniforms		1	Draperies
Vests		2		Lined	5
Household Furnishings				Unlined	4
Bedspreads		6		Sheer	3
Blankets				Glass fiber	4
	Heavy wool and synthetic		Sheets & Pillow Cases		2
	Fibers	10	Slipcovers		3
	Lightweight	5	Table Linen
	Electric	5		Fancy	5
	Other	2	Towels		3
Upholstery Fabrics		5

*Nonwoven only. Life expectancy for control or flocked articles in two years.

Table 2: Claims Adjustment Values Criteria

Life Expectancy rating of article in years (from Table above)

1	2	3	4	5	10	Adjustment Values Percent of Replacement Cost Depending on Condition
Age of Article					Excellent	Average	Poor
0-4 mo	0-4 mo	0-4 mo	0-4 mo	0-4 mo	Less than 1 Yr	100%	100%	100%
4-7 mo	4-7 mo	4-10 mo	4-13 mo	4-16 mo	2-4 yrs	75%	75%	60%
7-9 mo	7-13 mo	10-19 mo	13-25 mo	16-31 mo	4-6 yrs	70%	60%	45%
9-11 mo	13-19 mo	19-28 mo	25-37 mo	31-46 mo	6-8 yrs	50%	40%	30%
11-13 mo	19-25 mo	28-37 mo	37-49 mo	46-61 mo	8-11 yrs	30%	20%	15%
13 mo & older	25 mo & older	37 mo & older	49 mo & older	61 mo & older	11 yrs & older	20%	15%	10%

*Use only with "Average" column in figuring Adjustment Value.

**Table 1 Reprinted with permission from International Fabricare Institute (IFI)

**Table 2 Reprinted with permission from International Fabricare Institute (IFI)

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