Insurance and safety
Moving insurance and what our coverage means
Top Quality Movers Ltd. is fully insured and bonded, with $5 million in general liability insurance and WCB coverage for our crew. But moving insurance and a mover's liability for your belongings aren't the same thing. Here's what we carry, what we pay if something of yours is damaged, and how a claim works, so you know before you book.
- $5 million general liability
- WCB coverage, clearance letter on request
- Certificates of insurance on request
- Damage terms in writing before the move
Coverage
What we carry
General liability insurance: $5 million.
This is the insurance for injury or property damage our work could cause, and it's the cover property managers and business clients ask a mover to show.
Cargo insurance
on the freight we carry.
WCB coverage.
Our crew is covered by WCB, so an injury on the job is handled through WCB. A current WCB clearance letter is available on request.
Certificates on request.
We can send a certificate of insurance before the job, naming your building or your business.
If you're comparing insured movers, ask each one the same three things. What does it carry? What does its contract pay for a damaged item? And how long do you have to make a claim?
Our liability
Moving insurance or our liability: what covers your belongings
When people ask about moving insurance, they usually mean what happens if a mover damages something of theirs. A moving company's liability is set by its contract, and ours is in writing before the move:
$1.00 per pound per item.
That's a valuation, not replacement-value insurance: a 50 lb item is covered up to $50, whatever it cost.
- More protection, agreed in writing. If something is worth more than its weight suggests, talk to us before moving day. Anything beyond $1.00 a pound has to be agreed in writing before the move.
- Valuable or heavy pieces, before we quote. Tell us about anything over about 200 lb or worth more than $2,000, anything unusually fragile, and anything that needs special equipment. There are some we may not be able to take.
- Your own insurer. Home and tenant policies sometimes cover belongings while they're being moved. Ask your insurer before moving day what yours covers, and for how long.
Exclusions
What our liability doesn't cover
Our contract leaves out:
- Boxes you packed yourself, unless the outside of the box is damaged.
- Damage caused by packing on your part that wasn't adequate.
- Anything left in drawers or appliances.
- Loose items you didn't tell us about.
- Damage that was there before the move.
- A mechanical or electrical fault inside an item with no damage on the outside.
- Deterioration from weather or humidity.
Packing well protects what you pack yourself, and our moving tips show how.
Safety
How we keep your home and belongings safe
- The terms come first. Every move starts with a contract that sets out the damage terms, so you know them before the job.
- Floor runners go down on the way in and out.
- Moving blankets and shrink wrap go around anything that can scratch or dent. Both are included at no charge.
- Furniture that has to come apart is taken apart and put back together, as part of the move.
- Damage is reported on the spot. Our crew tells you straight away if something is damaged, and walks through with you before leaving.
What stays off the truck
Unless we've agreed in writing before the move, our contract keeps these off the truck:
- Pets.
- Firearms.
- Open liquids and food that spoils.
- Cash, jewellery and original documents.
Claims
If something is damaged: how a claim works
- Point it out. Tell the crew on the day, or tell us as soon as you find it.
- Put it in writing within 7 days. Send us a description of the damage within 7 days of the move, with photos, the item's approximate weight and proof of its value.
- We settle it under your contract. We own our mistakes. We settle at up to $1.00 per pound per item, or under any extra protection you arranged in writing before the move.
Certificates
A moving insurance certificate for your building or business
Property managers often ask for proof of insurance before movers come in. We can send a certificate of insurance naming your building before moving day.
Business clients can ask for our certificates before they sign. They're available for our moving services, transport services and container unloading work.
- $5 million general liability
- WCB coverage, clearance letter on request
- Certificates of insurance on request
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do movers have insurance?
We do. Top Quality Movers Ltd. carries $5 million in general liability insurance, cargo insurance and WCB coverage for our crew. When you compare movers' insurance, also ask what each contract pays for a damaged item: ours is up to $1.00 per pound per item.
Does my home insurance cover my move?
It may. Some home and tenant policies cover belongings while they're being moved, for a set time. Ask your insurer before moving day, and mention anything especially valuable.
Can I get more coverage than $1.00 a pound?
Talk to us before the move. Anything beyond $1.00 per pound per item has to be agreed in writing before moving day.
How long do I have to report damage?
Seven days. Send it to us in writing within 7 days of the move, with photos, the item's approximate weight and proof of its value.
Book a crew with its terms in writing
Send us your addresses, your date and what's moving through our quote form, and we'll follow up by phone, text or email, whichever you prefer. Your contract, with its damage terms, comes before moving day.