Ready to move? Avoid scams and make your move a success

Moving creates plenty of logistic challenges and can be stressful at the best of times. Here are some helpful tips to make your move as smooth and easy as possible.

Protect yourself from moving scams. Hiring a disreputable mover can lead to many problems. Belongings can go missing during a move, and prices can suddenly increase after the job is done.

To avoid scams and unexpected costs do your research to find a reputable moving company. The Better Business Bureau can provide you with a list of reputable movers or you can ask your friends and family for references. Always get a price quote in writing before your move to eliminate nasty surprises upon arrival at your new home.

Confirm the moving company follows the Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers and can provide evidence it has insurance coverage to protect your contents. You may also want to see their mover’s Workers’ Compensation Board certificate to protect you from any liability resulting from employee injuries that may occur during your move.

Ask at least three moving companies for detailed quotes before you decide and make sure you understand the different offers in all detail. Don’t necessarily pick the cheapest company. Make an inventory of all your belongings and ask moving companies to inspect your contents before they provide you with a quote in order to avoid unexpected charges.

Make sure to confirm who will pack your boxes. Some companies require their movers to pack your belongings for safety reasons. This also ensures you won’t be responsible should anything break during the move.

Ask your moving company if all steps of the move will be completed by the hired company or if sub-contractors will be involved. Confirm all parties involved are reputable and that moving vehicles and potential storage facilities are up to scratch.

Contact your BrokerLink broker to check if your content insurance policy provides coverage during a move and confirm deductibles. You will need to update your policy to suit your new home, include additional purchases and update your address.

Ask if your moving company offers Replacement Value Protection and at what cost. Having Replacement Value Protection means the mover assumes responsibility for replacing any lost or damaged goods, up to a certain amount per pound of weight of your shipment. Ensure you receive written confirmation of how the Replacement Value Protection works and what the claims process would be like in case of damage. Without this protection, movers are only responsible for 60 cents per pound of any article, according to the Office of Consumer Affairs. Know the current value of all your belongings and have receipts to make sure you are covered in case anything is lost or damaged.

Ensure you have everything ready to be moved on the big day or else you’ll be charged for any time wasted while movers are waiting for you. Take all your valuables and important documents with you, rather than packing them. After your belongings are packed and moved, double check that no items have been left behind. Don’t forget to confirm your new home is ready for your belongings to arrive.

Once your belongings arrive at the new address, make sure everything has been delivered in good condition before you sign any receipts. If any damage occurred, file a claim with your mover and contact your BrokerLink broker. Be aware of deadlines for making a claim with your mover.

Call your BrokerLink broker today to discuss coverage for your move. We’ll make sure your belongings are protected so you can focus on enjoying your new home.

Helpful links:
Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers