Worried about choosing the right long distance mover?
The Moving Industry in Canada is not regulated by the government and this means that just about anyone with a truck and crew can be a mover. The challenge you the consumer has is finding a reputable mover and company you can trust. The Canadian Association of Movers or CAM is the only organization in Canada that monitors and regulates movers. Selecting a mover on the Internet is very risky as anyone can have a great website and look professional. Make sure you check that the mover or van line you choose is a member of the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM). CAM pre-qualifies movers for you, so by selecting a member of CAM you can be assured that you are dealing with a professional organization that will take care of you and your valuable possessions.
We have compiled this guide to help you select a professional moving company. It is imperative that you do your research. Check each and every candidate out by using the following four resources:
1. The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB rates businesses based on how many complaints the business receives and how they resolve complaints. Make sure the mover or van line you choose has at least an “A” rating and know that the BBB is available to assist you if you have a complaint that doesn’t get resolved.
The BBB is an excellent resource to check your mover out.
To view the standing of a business, go to the BBB and enter the name of the business.
If they are not a member, there is usually a good reason for it. Make sure they are a member in good standing before you hire your mover.
2. Canadian Association of Movers (CAM)
The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) is the only mover’s association in Canada that regulates and keeps records of reputable and disreputable movers.
To validate a mover or van line, go to:
www.movers.net
Unfortunately, many of the moving companies listed on the internet are not qualified to perform long distance moves. They give the impression they are a full-service business with office locations all over Canada when actually it’s not the case. Most are independent home/office, cell phone operated businesses. They book your business and farm it out to another moving company that actually does the work. They lack infrastructure, dispatch, customer service departments, trained haulers and office locations to provide you with the service you require.
We recommend that you book with a mover that is a qualified agent of a van line or an official Canadian Van Line. The only registered full-service van lines in Canada recognized by the Canadian Association of Movers are:
- Great Canadian Van Lines
- United Van Lines
- Mayflower Van Lines
- Atlas Van Lines (includes Premier and AMJ)
- Allied Van Lines
- North American Van Lines
For a general inquiry with CAM on a mover email admin@mover.net, or call Toll free at 1-866-860-0065. If the mover is not a member in good standing, do not book with them.
3. Mover’s Insurance
Ask to see a copy of the mover’s certificate of insurance.
The policy must be active during your move. Look at the Expiry date. Is the Policy active? Remember to look at the Cargo section of the policy. It should state at least $250,000 of coverage. This is the minimum coverage required by the Canadian Association of Movers.
4. Worksafe Insurance
Make sure the mover or van line you choose has Work Place Safety coverage. This coverage protects you if a crew member gets hurt on your property while conducting your move. If they don’t have this coverage and get hurt on your property you could be liable for their injury.
Ask your mover to provide a copy of their Clearance Letter from your Provincial Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Or if you wish you can request a copy of it yourself.
