Clarify the actual coverage
Request the contractual terms relevant to the shipment. Ask whether compensation uses declared value, replacement value, weight or another basis, and what deductibles or limits apply. Confirm the process for high-value items and whether owner-packed cartons or pre-existing damage are treated differently. Do not infer Montreal Movers coverage limits from this guide; obtain the current written agreement.
Document condition before wrapping
Photograph important pieces and note existing marks with the inventory. Retain purchase or valuation records where relevant. If storage or a separate carrier is planned, ask how responsibility passes between stages and whether coverage changes. Speak with your household insurer about any separate policy protection instead of assuming it follows the truck.
If a problem occurs
Record the affected item, carton number, date and photographs. Notify the specified contact promptly and follow the written claim procedure. Keep packing materials until instructed otherwise if they help establish what happened. Coverage questions and disputes require the actual contract and facts, not a generic online promise.
Ask for an answer that defines the protection
Instead of asking only “are you insured?”, ask which contract provision protects the shipment, how compensation is calculated, what limit applies and what you must declare before loading. Request clarification for a high-value item rather than assuming the highest advertised liability number is the value payable for your furniture. This guide does not state Montreal Movers’ policy limits; only the current agreed terms can do that.
Create a condition-and-value file
For important furniture and electronics, record identifying information, clear photographs, existing marks and any useful purchase or valuation document. Photograph before wrapping so the record is not just an image of a blanket. Keep the file separate from the shipment inventory but use matching item numbers. For owner-packed cartons, record contents and preparation and ask about any relevant exclusions before sealing.
Create a usable protection record
Do not infer compensation from the word insured. Read limits, exclusions and the agreed procedure.
Check each handling stage
If the move includes storage, transfers or another specialist, ask who has custody and which conditions apply at each stage. Ask your own insurer whether the move affects any separate household policy protection. Keep the answers in writing and do not infer that a policy automatically extends to every vehicle, warehouse or contractor. Special items may require declared information or a separately agreed arrangement.
Build a clear incident record
If you notice a problem, identify the item and carton number, photograph the condition, note when you found it and keep the delivery paperwork. Follow the reporting channel and deadlines in the agreement. Retain relevant packaging until the responsible party advises otherwise. Avoid repairing or discarding evidence before the reporting process is understood. For an unresolved dispute, seek advice based on the contract and the facts of the individual case.
Read liability and optional protection as separate terms
Ask for the shipment’s protection terms in writing before booking. Clarify what liability arrangement applies, whether any additional option is available and how the value of special items must be declared. Do not assume a company’s general insurance means every item in your shipment will receive its full replacement value. Read limits, exclusions, deductibles where relevant and the conditions for customer-packed goods, storage or specialist items. If your home insurer may cover some moving risks, ask that insurer about your actual route and circumstances rather than relying on a general statement. Keep the answers beside the inventory and quote. You should be able to explain what applies to an ordinary carton and what applies to a valuable instrument or artwork before deciding which packing or handling service to request.
Document condition and follow the reporting process
Photograph important items before packing and note existing scratches, wear or other concerns. Keep the relevant inventory references and records of packing responsibility. At delivery, check the shipment as practicable and record a discrepancy with its item number and a clear description. Follow the written procedure and deadlines in the agreement; do not invent a universal claim period from an unrelated website. Keep supporting photographs and packaging where the process requires them. If an item needs repair, ask what authorisation or assessment is required before altering it or discarding evidence. A well-organised report should identify the goods, the concern, when it was noticed and the documents supporting it. This does not guarantee an outcome, but it avoids replacing useful evidence with a vague message that a box “looks wrong.”
Questions about protection documents
Record the written answer and its source; do not rely on a service label alone.
| Document / topic | What to record | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Moving contract | Provider name and protection wording. | Which document describes responsibility for belongings? |
| Protection options | Options offered and written descriptions. | How do their terms differ? |
| Item valuation | Inventory and supporting purchase records. | How should item values be documented? |
| Owner-packed boxes | Box numbers and packing photographs. | What terms apply to these boxes? |
| Special items | Art, instruments or other declared valuables. | Is separate documentation requested? |
| Other policies | Home insurer contact and policy reference. | Does that insurer need notice of the move? |
| Condition evidence | Dated photos before and after handling. | How should visible concerns be recorded? |
| Reporting procedure | Contact, required records and stated deadlines. | Where can you obtain the written procedure? |