Relocating can be a stressful experience between packing up your belongings, loading everything into moving trucks, and starting fresh in a brand-new space. If some of your items go missing during the process, it can be even more frustrating. Do you know what to do when a moving company loses your stuff?
Discount Moving, a trusted moving company in Montreal, is here to break down helpful steps you can take if you find yourself in this situation. Sticking to the recommendations below will minimize the chance that a moving company loses your items and help you save money on replacing the lost items. Keep these tips in mind if you’re planning to move and want to safeguard your most precious belongings.
Take Inventory Before You Move
Moving house can be hectic, especially if you’re not organized. To make the process easier, experts recommend the following tips for packing more efficiently:
- Donate or throw away any items you no longer need.
- Label every box with the items inside.
- Keep fragile items separate for maximum safety.
The best tip for anyone planning to move is to take inventory of all items they pack. Amid the chaos of moving, you might assume that a sculpture, lamp, or other item is missing when you don’t find it in any of your boxes. However, it’s possible that you intentionally left these objects behind or donated them.
Create a detailed list as you pack, outlining all of the items you’re taking with you. Include a section for any items that you choose not to pack, as this will eliminate any confusion. Make a copy of this list to give to your movers in the event that one item doesn’t make it to your new home.
Ideally, you won’t need to report any changes in inventory to your movers but having this documentation can’t hurt. It’s an essential first step in knowing what to do when a moving company loses your stuff.
Photograph Valuable Items
Say your fine china or other fragile belongings crack or shatter during the move. Unpacking your boxes to find damaged items inside can be almost as devastating as losing them. When this happens, you’ll likely file a claim to replace the objects.
During the claims process, an insurance adjuster will need evidence that the items became damaged during the move instead of starting out that way. Take pictures of your fragile items before you start packing to show their pre-move condition. This helps the claim end in your favour so you can replace the items you value the most.
Check All of Your Boxes
Don’t panic if you can’t find one item in a box where you think it should be. Wait until you finish unpacking and then recheck all of your boxes. If you still can’t find the missing item, contact your moving company.
Professional movers use modern tracking systems to see where their customer’s inventory ends up. Staff could accidentally deliver your items to a different address and lump them in with another customer’s belongings. Ask the movers to check their system and account for all of your items before you take matters into your own hands.
Issue a Complaint
Do you know what to do when a moving company loses your stuff en route? If you want answers to this problem and want to hold the company accountable for their negligence, you can file a complaint with different organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau. Different government offices devoted to consumer protection can also field your complaint and garner a response from your moving company.
When a moving company fails to provide adequate service, they should take every measure to please the customer and settle the issue. Filing a formal complaint against your moving contractors can help you reach a resolution and prevent the company from putting future customers in the same position.
Keep in mind that filing a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau or government agency is not the same as leaving a negative review on a social media site. Companies tend to approach these complaints with more concern and take more action than they would against a bad review.
File a Claim With Your Movers
Ask an expert what to do when a moving company loses your stuff and they’ll tell you that filing a claim with the contractors is the best bet. Canadian moving companies have a few acts and regulations they must follow to protect consumers. When you sign a contract with your movers, it should outline what to do if you need to file a claim should the company lose items when relocating.
The claims process often involves giving a written request for compensation which will reimburse you for your lost or damaged item. You must provide a detailed description of the reason for filing and include any documentation that will help your case, such as:
- A photograph showing a lost item packed away in your old home
- Before and after pictures showing extensive damage to an object after moving
- Correspondence with the moving company proving that they can’t locate your lost items
Keep in mind that it might take some time to hear a response regarding your claim, as moving companies have 30 days to admit or deny a claim, and another 120 days to make an offer for reimbursement. Most contractors offer standard insurance that reimburses customers 60% per pound. If you want to receive the full value of your item, consider investing in additional moving insurance when hiring the company.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Do you carry renter’s insurance to protect the contents of your home? You may also need to file a claim with your provider. Contact the insurance company and ask them what to do when a moving company loses your stuff.
In some cases, your contents insurance will reimburse you for the portion that your moving insurance doesn’t cover. If your renter’s insurance won’t provide more coverage and you’re unsatisfied with the moving company’s offer, you have another option to consider.
Open Arbitration
Say your moving company offers you just $500 in compensation for a missing piece of jewelry valued at $2,000. You can’t bring yourself to accept their offer but also can’t afford to replace the item on your own. What can you do?
Arbitration serves as a final option for anyone who lost items in a move and wants proper compensation for them. A non-biased, non-government forum will oversee the arbitration and moving companies must comply with this measure when the items in dispute amount to less than $10,000. You can settle the dispute by submitting the following information to the arbitration forum:
- The name and address of the moving company
- The dates of item pickup and delivery
- The addresses of your former and current home
- The contact information for the person supervising the move
- The claim number and its total cost
Keep in mind that requesting arbitration will cost both you and the moving company various fees. If you’re considering arbitration, research your item’s worth and determine if this is your best option.
Other Tips To Ensure a Successful Move
Knowing what to do when a moving company loses your stuff can help you locate missing items or receive compensation to replace them. However, no one expects to relocate and deal with damaged or lost items once they reach their new home. If you want to guarantee your move is a success, keep these tips in mind:
- Research moving companies: Don’t hire any moving company without thoroughly researching their credentials. Find out how many years of experience they have and whether they’re insured. You should also look at customer reviews for insight into the typical customer experience.
- Opt for additional insurance: If you’re worried about losing your belongings during a move, invest in additional moving insurance. In case you need it, the company should reimburse you for the full cost of your item.
- Transfer delicate items yourself: Let your movers take the majority of your items but transfer some of your most important objects in your own vehicle to ensure they don’t get lost along the way.
- View items before signing for them: When movers arrive to deliver your items, they’ll ask for your signature confirming the delivery. Don’t sign an inventory sheet until you can verify that all of your items are present.
By taking these measures, you’ll reduce the risk of losing precious items during your move and adding to your stress.
Choose the Right Moving Company for Your Upcoming Relocation
Knowing what to do when a moving company loses your stuff helps you protect your assets and earn compensation for the trouble. If you want to ensure a smooth moving process that doesn’t leave you with lost or damaged belongings, choose Discount Moving. We’re Montreal’s premier moving company offering help with both residential and commercial moving services, as well as storage and long-distance moving solutions. Call 514-933-3555 to learn more about our services and receive a free quote. We’re ready to assist you.
