Moving Insurance in Canada: What's Actually Covered (And What Isn't)

Most people assume that when they hire a mover, their belongings are insured. They're not — or rather, they're covered so minimally that the coverage barely registers when something actually breaks. The default "protection" that most Canadian movers include as standard costs you nothing, and it pays out accordingly. Understanding the difference between what you have and what you need is a ten-minute conversation that can save you thousands of dollars.

Released-value protection: the default that isn't really coverage

Released-value protection is the liability minimum that comes included with most moves at no extra charge. It is not insurance. It is a liability limitation that caps what the mover owes you per pound of damaged goods — regardless of actual value.

In the United States, the federal minimum is $0.60 per pound. Canadian provincial minimums vary slightly but are in the same territory. A 30-lb laptop that gets dropped off the truck and crushed gets you $18 under released-value protection. A 50-lb flat-screen television worth $1,200 gets you $30. A 200-lb upright freezer worth $800 gets you $120.

Released-value protection exists because someone has to bear the risk of moving heavy goods through doorways and up staircases, and movers can't price every load as if the contents are Fabergé eggs. But the result is that most customers are moving their $30,000 worth of household goods under coverage that would pay out less than $2,000 if everything was destroyed.

Full-value protection: what you actually want

Full-value protection — sometimes called full-replacement-value protection — obligates the mover to repair a damaged item, replace it, or pay you its current market value. This is the meaningful option.

How much does it cost? Typically 1–2% of the declared value of your goods, with a minimum declared value threshold (often $5,000–$10,000). On a move where you've declared $30,000 in goods, expect to pay $300–$600 for full-value protection on top of your base moving rate.

Important conditions:

• Deductibles apply. Full-value protection almost always has a per-claim deductible, commonly $250–$500. Factor this into whether it's worth claiming for minor damage.
• You must declare value before the move, not after damage. If you don't declare full value at booking, you can't claim it later. The declared value is on your moving contract.
• The mover chooses how to make you whole. They may repair, replace, or pay cash value. They typically choose the least expensive option. A scratched antique table might get a cash offer rather than a proper restoration.

What your home insurance covers (and doesn't)

This is where most people get a nasty surprise. Many home and tenant insurance policies do include coverage for belongings in transit — but with conditions that limit how useful that coverage is in practice.

Typical conditions for home insurance transit coverage:

• Professional mover required: Many policies specifically exclude self-moves or friend-assisted moves. If you rent a U-Haul and drive it yourself, your home policy may not cover goods in transit at all.
• Time limits: Coverage usually applies for a specific window — often 30 days. Goods left in storage between moves may not be covered after that window.
• Sub-limits on high-value categories: Electronics, jewellery, artwork, and collectibles often have per-item or per-category caps far below actual value. A $5,000 camera body may be covered only up to $1,500 under a standard policy's electronics sub-limit.
• Your deductible still applies. If your home policy deductible is $1,000, claiming a $800 damaged TV costs you the deductible plus the damage — a net loss of $200.

Call your insurance provider before your move and ask specifically: does my policy cover belongings in transit? With a professional mover? What are the sub-limits for electronics and jewellery? Get the answer in writing or note the date, time, and representative name.

Standalone moving insurance

Third-party moving insurance policies — offered by companies like Baker International, Ritter Insurance Marketing, and others — fill the gaps that home insurance and mover coverage leave. These are worth considering for higher-value moves.

Typical cost: 1–3% of declared value. Coverage typically includes:

• All-risk coverage (not just named perils)
• Higher per-item limits on electronics, art, and collectibles
• Coverage for items packed by the mover (not available under most home policies)
• Coverage for storage-in-transit beyond 30 days

For a move where you have a piano, antiques, high-end electronics, or jewellery, a standalone moving policy is often the cleanest and most comprehensive option.

What's almost never covered

Certain exclusions appear across virtually every type of moving coverage. Knowing them prevents surprises at claim time.

• Items packed by owner (PBO): If you packed the box yourself, movers are typically not liable for damage to the contents unless the box itself is visibly crushed. "The contents shifted during transit" is the mover's standard response to a PBO damage claim.
• Mechanical or electrical breakdown: A television that arrives but doesn't turn on is almost impossible to claim — the mover will argue there's no visible damage and the unit may have had a pre-existing issue. Electronics failure during transit is a grey zone that most policies exclude.
• Items left in dresser drawers: Most movers explicitly state in their contracts that they are not liable for damage to contents of furniture left in situ during the move. Empty your drawers and pack the contents separately.
• Pets and plants: Living things are universally excluded from moving coverage. Full stop.
• Cash, documents, and jewellery over sub-limits: These should travel with you personally, not on the truck.

How to file a claim that actually gets paid

Most denied or under-paid moving claims fail because the customer didn't create the right documentation. Here's the approach that works.

• Photograph everything before the move. Every piece of furniture, every box of valuables, every existing scratch and chip. Do this the day before the movers arrive, and do it while the movers are in the room on moving day so there's no later dispute about who was present.
• Keep a written inventory with estimated replacement values. This is your declaration document. Without it, "current market value" becomes the mover's estimate, not yours.
• Report damage within 24 hours of delivery. Most moving contracts have notice requirements. Reporting damage three weeks later gives the mover grounds to deny the claim on procedural grounds alone.
• Get a repair estimate before accepting a cash settlement. Once you accept a cheque, you've typically waived your right to dispute the amount. Get an independent repair quote first.
• Note damage on the Bill of Lading at delivery. If you sign the BOL without notation, you're acknowledging goods arrived in acceptable condition. Note "subject to inspection" if you're not able to check everything before signing.

The honest take

For a standard apartment move with IKEA furniture, released-value protection is probably fine. If something breaks, the loss is real but manageable. For a home with a piano, antiques, high-end electronics, or a collection of anything worth more than $5,000, the cost of full-value protection or a standalone policy is small relative to what you're protecting. The premium is typically $300–$700 on a mid-sized move. The difference in a worst-case payout is often $20,000 or more.

Make the call before the truck shows up, not after.

Contact TRUCC to discuss your move and get clarity on what coverage makes sense for your specific situation.