Are you moving homes in Canada and wondering how insurance plays into costs? This guide explains insurance requirements, coverage and claims for working with moving companies.
Planning an upcoming home move? Hiring professional movers reduces headaches, but also introduces questions around insurance and potential claims if items get lost or damaged.
This article provides a primer on standard insurance, additional coverage options, documentation and processing claims through moving company with storage near me.
Basic Valuation
All licensed, reputable moving companies including movers offering storage near me automatically include basic valuation insurance known as the "Released Value of Goods" based on weight. This equals:
$0.60 per pound per lost/damaged item
Up to $80 per lost/damaged box
For a 3000 pound move, the baseline would cover around $1800 worth of incidents. However, this rarely meets the value of all household goods for most homes. Read your moving contract carefully as some firms cap liability.
Adding Moving Insurance
To expand protection, most Canadian moving companies offer add-on insurance policies available for purchase such as:
Domestic/Commercial
Storage
Mobile Home/Office
Common options include full-value protection or multi-tiered set amounts of coverage based on total weight moved. When selecting extra insurance:
Disclose full item values
Save receipts for proof of ownership
Avoid opting for minimum policies
Preparing Documentation
To receive fair compensation if needed, proper documentation goes a long way following any loss or damage.
Inventory Sheet
Create an itemized list noting:
Specific items
Descriptions
Estimated values
Tip: Take photos of expensive possessions before packing!
Annotation of Existing Damage
Upon pickup or when items come out of storage, point out any existing wear, dents or scratches so items are not mistaken as mover-caused later.
Steps for Claims
Should some damage or loss occur:
Photograph evidence upon delivery while van crew is present
Report immediately to mover representative
File claim right away providing inventory sheet
Communicate clearly until resolution reached
Reputable firms follow standard protocols for assessing and paying claims based on purchased insurance terms. However, stay involved throughout the process representing your own interests until receiving satisfactory closure.
Considerations by Relocation Type
Insurance functions similarly whether moving locally or long-distance. However:
Local - More handling so increased chance of incident from cumulative stress
Long-distance - Harder to verify condition while in-transit
Evaluate how insuring goods differs slightly given your specific moving needs.
For any disputed claim unable to be resolved cooperatively, provincial regulatory bodies and SMALL CLAIMS exist as options of last resort.
Key Takeaways
Working with professional movers brings simplicity to relocating lives. While no one hopes damages ever occur, gaining familiarity around standard insurance along with additional coverage puts all parties on the same page regarding:
Liabilities
Expectations
Protocols
Review all policies meticulously and document possessions thoroughly should claims arise. Then transition stress slides away leaving just eager anticipation for new living spaces ahead.
What other questions arise around insuring valuables when relocating inside Canada? Drop them below so we can all gain knowledge to safely shift houses while guarded from unnecessary troubles.
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