Is your stuff covered when you use a moving company in Canada?
7 minute read Published on Jul 3, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
You’re packing up for a fresh start, trying to keep track of what’s in each box, when you suddenly realize that you're completely unsure about what would actually happen if something broke on the way to your new home. Is it covered by the movers? Is it protected by your own insurance coverage? Do you need to get extra coverage?
Between moving valuation, your own home or tenant insurance and the chaos of weather delays or an interprovincial haul, it's no wonder how anyone could be sure about what's covered and what isn’t. Below, we’ll walk you through how to avoid coverage gaps and what you can expect if something goes wrong. Have questions about your policy or dates? Talk to a BrokerLink advisor 30 to 60 days before your move.
What's the difference between valuation and insurance?
When you hire a moving company, they don’t actually “insure” your belongings. Instead, they offer valuation, which sets the maximum amount they’ll pay if something is damaged or lost while in their care. The basic level, called released valuation, only pays a set amount per pound per item, meaning that a light but more expensive item might get almost no protection.
A home insurance policy, on the other hand, will typically cover your personal property while it’s off your premises and in transit, though limits, deductibles and exclusions can vary by insurer. Just keep in mind that some belongings, like fine art, instruments, jewelry or collectibles, may also need high-value items or scheduled coverage to be fully protected during a move. Basically, what it comes down to is:
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Valuation sets what the mover will pay if something is damaged or lost
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Insurance steps in when your loss is worth more than what the mover’s valuation would cover
The federal government advises that you purchase moving insurance on top of your property insurance, so that you're not left covering a loss yourself.
How does mover valuation coverage work?
Movers in Canada generally use two main types of moving protection, and each works very differently if something of yours breaks. According to the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), here’s how they work:
Released valuation protection
This is the basic coverage all moving contracts include. CAM notes that mover’s liability is typically limited to $0.60 per pound ($1.32 per kilogram), which is often far below an item’s real value.
For example, your $500 dresser that weighs 32 kilograms may only be covered for around $42 under the released liability rate. That’s why many people often choose replacement value protection.
Replacement value protection
This lets you choose the value of your shipment. If something is damaged, the mover can pay to repair or replace it at its current market price. CAM explains that the declared value must meet a minimum of $10 per pound of your shipment’s actual weight. So if your household goods weigh 6,500 pounds, your coverage can’t be set lower than $65,000. However, eligibility may depend on certain details, like who packed the boxes and how items were listed on the inventory.
Please note that a moving company’s insurance is not governed by insurance law but by transportation/carriage regulations, which is why its coverage doesn’t function like insurance. Be sure to verify your coverage in writing before the move.
What does a home or tenant insurance policy typically cover when moving?
Most homeowners' insurance policies will insure your personal property even when it’s temporarily away from your home, like while on vacation or during a move, though this can vary by insurer. However, the amount is generally a small portion of your contents limit, like 10%, similar to how dwelling and other structures coverage works. CAM notes that some policies may only cover belongings in transit or at a new location for a limited period, so make sure to ask your insurance provider or broker about it.
If storage is part of your move, it's important to also ask your insurer how that might look with your policy. A brief layover on the truck, time in a mover’s warehouse or a self-storage unit may each have different limits or conditions. That said, most home and tenant policies exclude the following during a move:
What does it not cover?
While these can vary by insurance company or policy, you may not be covered for:
Fragile items, if they break
Damage caused by poor packing
Unexplained disappearances
Marring or scratching of any property
Also, if you have any tools or equipment that you use for work, you may need to add an endorsement. Ask your BrokerLink broker to verify your limits, deductible, any needed endorsements and whether any high-value items should be scheduled before packing.
How to insure your high-value and special items before the move
Even though your policy covers personal property as a whole, many item categories have sublimits of $1,500 to $3,000, which isn’t always enough for items like fine art, antiques, instruments, cameras, designer handbags, jewelry, collectibles or wine.
To be able to insure high-value and special items properly, you'll want to gather appraisals, receipts, photos and serial numbers. Then, ask your BrokerLink advisor whether they should be scheduled on a personal articles policy. For the move itself, make sure you know who is handling the item at each step and try to limit how often it changes hands if you can.
Please note that some policies may also have conditions for safes, alarm certificates or how value is determined. Be sure to confirm these with your broker before moving day.
Your timeline for avoiding coverage gaps
Making a few early check-ins can help you prevent unwanted surprises on your moving day. Here’s what to line up as the date gets closer:
30 to 60 days before your move
What to Organize 30–60 Days Before Moving to Avoid Coverage Gaps:
Notify your BrokerLink advisor
Share new/old addresses and move dates
Flag any storage stops
Provide a list of high-value items
Decide whether anything needs to be scheduled
Ask about in-transit/moving windows
Roughly two weeks before your move
Two weeks leading up to your move, line up the following to keep coverage continuous:
Confirm closing and possession times
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Get a certificate of insurance if your new landlord or condo requires one
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Confirm your mover’s valuation with a carrier liability certificate
Within three days before moving day
To prevent coverage gaps, line up the following within 3 days before your move:
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Create an inventory with photos
Note any pre-existing damage
Pack fragile items carefully
Back up all devices and drives
If your dates change, make sure to contact BrokerLink immediately to adjust your coverage start and end dates and make sure any storage coverage starts and ends when it should.
How storage may affect your coverage
If items are held for a day or two or need to be stored for a longer stretch, different coverage may apply depending on who’s responsible at that time. Here's what you need to know:
On-truck storage
If the truck stays loaded overnight or for a weekend, most moving companies will treat that time as part of the trip. But because the truck may be parked outdoors or at the mover’s yard, your home insurance policy may limit what they’ll cover if there’s theft without forced entry or weather-related damage.
Mover’s warehouse
The mover’s valuation still applies, but your home or tenant policy may not cover goods stored off-premises unless the policy specifically allows it. Storage is often treated differently than “in transit,” so ask your advisor whether your contents limit or any sublimits apply, and whether certain losses may be excluded.
Self-storage
Many home and tenant policies only insure items in a personal storage unit up to a small fraction of your contents limit. Some policies also require visible forced entry for theft claims, so missing boxes or a cut lock may not be covered. Weather, vermin and gradual damage are typically excluded entirely.
We recommend taking note of the condition of your items going in and coming out of storage, taking photos and saving any paperwork in case you need it later.
What to do if something happens during the move
If something goes wrong on pickup or delivery day, any details you record will help make the claim much easier. Photos, tag numbers, notes on the bill of lading or even just a simple log of who you spoke to can all make a difference. Here’s what to do at each stage of the move:
At pickup
At pickup: What to do:
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Confirm that the inventory tag numbers match what’s being loaded
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Photograph the condition of your furniture and visible packed items
Keep copies of the inventory sheets
At delivery
When you arrive at delivery:
Inspect items as they come off the truck
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Note any loss or damage on the bill of lading before signing it
Photograph the damage, packaging and the items’ tag number
File a claim
What to do when filing a claim:
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Notify the moving company within the claim window (often 30 days) in writing, following the process in your contract
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If the loss is higher than the mover’s valuation, file a claim under your home or tenant policy
Save repair or replacement estimates and all correspondence
Provincial moves, condo rules and landlord requirements
A move into a new province or a condo or apartment often comes with requirements you likely won’t see in a typical house-to-house move. These are the main ones to keep in mind:
Interprovincial moves
Most moves to a new province require a new home or tenant policy, since each province has its own insurance rules and wordings. Your auto insurance must also be updated once you register your vehicle.
Condos and rentals
Many buildings require a certificate of insurance, specific liability limits and additional-insured wording. Book the elevator, confirm if padding is required and note that damage fees may apply.
Municipal rules
Some cities limit where moving trucks can park, which can mean your belongings are carried a longer distance or transferred into a smaller truck to reach the building. More handling increases the chance of damage, so make sure to mention this when choosing valuation.
Learn more with BrokerLink
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