The process of moving from one home to another can come with a certain amount of stress, some very long to-do lists, and a lot of work. One of the biggest efforts is packing up and moving your belongings, often with the help of a moving company. But how protected are you when it comes to putting your furniture and other household goods in the care of a mover? We've got the answers to some common questions about protecting your stuff during a move.

What's the best way to keep track of my belongings while I'm moving?
A little preparation before you move can go a long way. Keep track of your belongings by downloading our home inventory form and filling out a sheet for each room in your home. Use the sheet to record item descriptions, brand names, model numbers, where you purchased items, how much you paid, and whether you have the original receipt on hand. All this information will come in handy if anything gets damaged or goes missing during the move.

Are my belongings covered by my home insurance when they're being moved by a moving company?
Most home insurance policies will protect your personal belongings while they're in transit between your old and new home, as long as you're moving within Canada. Contact your insurance broker and let them know your moving dates and that your belongings will be in the moving company's care.

What do I do if a moving company damages my belongings, either in transit, or during loading or unloading?
Before you sign any type of agreement with a moving company, make sure you review the contract and understand its terms, including the insurance it provides for damaged or broken items. Try to find a moving company that offers a specified grace period for you to notify them if any items are damaged during the move.

Here’s what to do after your items are dropped off:

• Look for dents, cracks, or scratches in your wooden furniture.

• Inspect sofas, chairs, and other soft furnishings for rips or tears in fabric coverings.

• Go through boxes that contain fragile or breakable pieces like electronics, china, or glassware.

• Go above and beyond when packing and use plenty of packing paper and foam peanuts to protect any breakables in transit.

• Take photos of any fragile items, including furniture, before they’re loaded into the truck.

Remember that home inventory you created? It could come in handy if you suspect certain items may have gone missing during the move. Talk to your broker right away if you realize any of your belongings were lost or stolen while they were in the care of the movers. Your home insurance should have you covered.

If any of your belongings are damaged during transit, you'll need to make a claim through the moving company. Photograph the damage and compare it to photos you took before you moved to make your case for reimbursement. If your damaged items aren't covered by the moving company, talk to your broker to find out if you can make a claim through your insurance company.

Are my belongings still covered by my home insurance if they’re in storage?
Ask your broker about adding coverage to your policy for the items you plan on leaving in storage, as these likely aren't automatically protected by your existing coverage and there may be limits to how long you can insure items in storage.

If you're a current OTIP policyholder, contact us at 1-833-494-0090 to review your existing home insurance policy. If you're not insured with OTIP and are shopping for home insurance, call us at 1-888-892-4935 to get a quote and receive a $20 gift card of your choice!