Every Ottawa mover claims to be "fully insured." Almost none of them explain what that means — because the honest answer is more modest than the slogan. This page explains mover coverage as it actually works in Ontario: the difference between a mover's business insurance and the valuation coverage on your goods, what standard coverage pays if something breaks, and the questions to ask any mover (us included) before you hand over your furniture.
Damage on a well-run move is rare. But rare isn't never, and the time to understand your protection is before the truck is loaded — not during a claim.
Two different things both called "insurance"
First: business liability insurance. This covers the mover if they damage your property — a wall, a floor, a doorframe — or if someone is injured. It's essential, and you should confirm any mover carries it. Second: coverage for your goods themselves, which in moving is technically "valuation" — the mover's agreed liability for loss or damage to your belongings, set by the terms of your contract.
Standard valuation on most moves is "released value": liability calculated by weight — historically a small amount per pound per item — which means a damaged 10-pound television might be valued in dollars, not hundreds. That's the industry's default, not a scam, but you deserve to know it before you decide it's enough. Higher valuation coverage is available on most moves for a fee, priced from the declared value of your goods — ask about it at quote time, especially for high-value households.
How to protect high-value items
Tell your mover about high-value pieces at the walkthrough — art, antiques, instruments, heirlooms. They'll be flagged for specialist packing (our fragile packing standard), noted on the inventory, and they may warrant declared-value coverage beyond the standard. Items of extraordinary value sometimes belong under your own homeowner's or renter's policy during the move — your insurer can confirm in one call, and it's a call worth making before a big move.
Also note what no mover's coverage fixes: items you packed yourself are generally covered only for outside-the-box damage (the mover can't warrant what they couldn't see), and perishables, documents, jewellery, and cash shouldn't ride the truck at all. A careful mover tells you all of this upfront — consider it a quality test when comparing professional movers.