You know as well as we do that there's no such thing as zero risk! Even if you take all the necessary precautions, breakage can still occur during a move. And just because you avoid the subject doesn't mean nothing will happen. The risk is there, and you have to take it into account. So, what are the insurance rules for moving with a professional? And if you're moving alone, do you need specific insurance? Find out more about insurance, so you can move with peace of mind.
You call on a professional to move: you're insured
If you use a professional, you'll be covered by compulsory moving insurance. However, Gentlemen offers you two types of insurance (FIRST and MUST), depending on the risks you wish to cover.
Insurance for your move with Les Gentlemen?
With any professional mover, you're bound to have insurance covering the mover's contractual liability. With Les Gentlemen du déménagement, you can also go beyond this "basic" insurance and take out damage insurance offering broader coverage.
The mover's contractual liability (FIRST guarantee)
When you move with a professional, you'll automatically benefit from basic moving insurance covering any damage to your belongings. This is because the mover you entrust with the collection and transportation of your belongings is responsible for them for the duration of the move. We call this the mover's contractual liability, or Garantie FIRST. You benefit from a compulsory minimum guarantee for your furniture and belongings.
However, there are limits to the mover's liability:
- the customer's fault: this is the case, in particular, when packaging carried out directly by the customer fails to protect fragile objects;
- inherent defect of the good: this recognizes the fact that the deterioration of the good is not due to poor handling, but to its age or an internal defect;
- cases of force majeure beyond the professional's control, such as road accidents, theft, etc.
In these 3 cases, the mover cannot be held responsible for the damage and is not obliged to compensate you. That's why Les Gentlemen du déménagement offers you a broader and more advantageous MUST warranty.
The MUST guarantee: a more muscular insurance policy to better insure your move
More advantageous than basic liability coverage (or FIRST), MUST also provides compensation in the event of late delivery due to major events (traffic accident, theft, fire), covering accommodation and catering costs incurred as a result of the delay.
The terms of compensation in the event of damage are also financially more attractive, thanks in particular to a less severe allowance for obsolescence and a higher repair value for repairable goods. Don't hesitate to ask us for explanations when you draw up your moving quote.
How is the warranty amount determined?
Every move is different, and presents more or less risk, depending on the volume and value of the items being moved. That's why professional movers ask each customer to draw up a declaration of value prior to the move. This form, which is attached to the estimate, must be completed by you and handed in to the removal company at least 5 days before D-day.
The declaration of value allows you to list your furniture and personal effects and specify their individual value, so as to establish a total replacement value in the event of a problem. However, there's no need to list all your personal belongings: concentrate on the most valuable items, starting at 200 or 300 euros.
The total amount of your declaration of value represents the mover's level of responsibility for your move. In fact, the declaration of value is an essential document to guarantee you adequate compensation in the event of a problem during the move. You must therefore fill it in with particular care if you are to benefit from appropriate coverage. If necessary, your remover can advise and help you to fill it in, especially if you have difficulty estimating the value of the goods and no longer have the invoices.
How do I report damage to receive compensation?
On the day of the move, a team leader gives you a copy of the consignment note, which you must sign to confirm that your belongings have been taken in. This regulatory document accompanies you throughout the move, and must appear in every vehicle used. When the move is complete, the person in charge of the move invites you to take a look at the furniture and objects delivered to your new home.
In the event of damage, shortcomings or anomalies, you must mention your reservations on the completion declaration included in the consignment note. This document is given to you by the team leader, who can add his or her own comments. The completion declaration must be signed by you before the movers leave.
In the event of subsequent observations, you can still send in your additional reservations within 10 days of the move, taking care to provide proof of what you have said. Keep all these documents to complete the claim, which will then be handled by the mover.
If you're moving out on your own, do you need to insure the move?
By moving on your own, you choose to take full responsibility for the moving operation. You take on all the risks associated with the pick-up, transport and delivery of your belongings on D-day. This applies not only to damage to your belongings, but also to the people involved (family, friends...), the resources mobilized (vehicles...), and even the departure and arrival points of the move.
When it comes to insuring your move, there are many risks to cover. Some home insurance policies offer compensation for accidents occurring during the move, but this is far from the majority of cases. To make the right choices, the best thing to do is contact your insurer to review your coverage and, if necessary, find a solution to insure you on moving day.
The easiest way to move with complete peace of mind is to call in a professional for your move. With the experience of a well-equipped mover accustomed to heavy and dangerous handling operations, you already have less risk of damaging your furniture. And thanks to the mover's contractual liability, you're guaranteed insurance covering the value of your belongings, or even more if you've taken out MUST damage insurance. All procedures are contractually defined in the estimate, the declaration of value and the consignment note.
If you'd like to find out more about our contractual liability coverage and the benefits of MUST damage insurance, please contact us.