Transporting your valuables
Posted by Howard Trott on Friday, January 12, 2018 Under: Transporting Valuables
Valuables mean different things to different people. It’s often hard to label something as valuable simply because the real worth of an item is not necessarily linked to its higher price. For example, a brand new smartphone is much more expensive and valuable than an old Nokia, unless there are additional factors and extraordinary circumstances to make things even more interesting. Sentimental value is definitely something to watch out when defining a specific item as invaluable, valuable or valueless. Sure, the ordinary phone from the example above may be cheap but if it is a gift from a very special person, then the attached sentimental value turns the object into something you will cherish for years and try to hold on to for as long as you can.
If you happen to be facing a house move soon, then it’s only natural that you will be a bit worried about how to move your valuables safely. Losing an object that means the world to you can be truly heartbreaking. Therefore, I have compiled a number of valuable tips for moving your valuables so that nothing bad, unexpected or plain mysterious happens to them during transit.
If you happen to be facing a house move soon, then it’s only natural that you will be a bit worried about how to move your valuables safely. Losing an object that means the world to you can be truly heartbreaking. Therefore, I have compiled a number of valuable tips for moving your valuables so that nothing bad, unexpected or plain mysterious happens to them during transit.
Before you figure out what to do with your valuable items, it’s a good idea to know exactly what type and how many valuables you own so that you can best prepare their safe packing and transportation. What you should do without delay when getting ready to move out is to make a list of all the valuable items found in your home. In fact, that valuables inventory list can be easily integrated in and compiled together with your master house inventory that you are expected to complete before moving out anyway.
In any case, the specialised inventory list with all your possessions of high monetary or sentimental value will prove to be extremely useful should such an object go missing or gets damaged while it has been entrusted in the hands of professional removals. Such unfortunate events do happen from time to time, so you must be fully prepared to open a dispute with your removal company or make an insurance claim with your insurance company, both of which are only possible with a well-documented home inventory.
While preparing the household inventory that lists your valuable items, make sure the checklist contains one column for the current condition of all the objects of great value you own, as well as one column for their estimated values. Furthermore, it is strongly advisable that you take that inventorying opportunity and photograph your most prized items as a visual proof of their existence and condition. Hopefully, you won’t need those digital or printed photos as evidence but keep them in a safe place just in case you are forced to look for your rights as a shipper of household items.
Documents
Your most important personal documents have not business in other people’s hand anyway, so it’s your duty to move them yourself. The good news is that they won’t take too much space and can fit comfortably in a special folder or a sturdy briefcase. Besides the documentation directly related to your upcoming move, your essential personal documents may include but are not limited to: ID cards and passports, driving licenses, school and medical records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, insurance policies, property deeds, car registrations, bank issued statements, etc.
Your most important personal documents have not business in other people’s hand anyway, so it’s your duty to move them yourself. The good news is that they won’t take too much space and can fit comfortably in a special folder or a sturdy briefcase. Besides the documentation directly related to your upcoming move, your essential personal documents may include but are not limited to: ID cards and passports, driving licenses, school and medical records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, insurance policies, property deeds, car registrations, bank issued statements, etc.
Jewellery
Many jewellery pieces are rather expensive, usually small and extremely delicate, and this is exactly why you should make sure that 1) you pack them with extra care, and 2) you keep them with you. No matter how reputable a removal company you have managed to secure for your move, don’t even think about letting your removals transport your jewellery pieces for you.
Electronics
Nowadays, every home contains a large number of expensive electronic equipment – TVs, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, stereos, and so on. But even if your electronic gadgets are not infused with any sentimental value, chances are they are too pricey, sensitive, and fragile, so the last thing you would want is to see any of your hi-tech pieces damaged during the house move. Do consider relocating your electronic equipment on your own and read on to learn how to best protect your valuable electronics when moving.
Antique items and art pieces
You really need to be extra careful when handling, packing and transporting valuable antique furniture or any other pieces on your own. The same is true for expensive art pieces that need to reach your home in pristine condition at all costs. Depending on the estimated value of these valuables, your best bet for a trouble-free move is to hire a removal firm that has a considerable experience in relocating antiques and art works.
Family heirlooms
With irreplaceable family heirlooms you must be extremely cautious because nothing can possibly replace them or compensate for them if the worst should happen. How do you place a price tag on the gold-plated pocket watch that your grand grandfather wore? Under no circumstances should you part with any of your family heirlooms – their transportation is your sole responsibility.
Purchase adequate insurance
This step is important as it will enable you to file an insurance claim with your insurer or initiate a dispute with your removal company in case a valuable item of yours gets damaged or lost during the relocation. First of all, check to see whether your current home insurance policy covers your valuable items in the event of a house move. If not, then it’s always a good idea to buy additional coverage, especially for your more valuable possessions, through your selected removal company or directly from a dedicated insurance company.
Keep smaller and lighter valuables with you
While it’s important to understand that valuable items are not meant to be entrusted to strangers while moving from one house to another, it’s not always possible to move on your own larger valuable antique furniture pieces, or valuables paintings, or just about any heavy and/or bulky items of greater value. In such cases, the need for reputable movers is dire. Nevertheless, smaller and lighter expensive and delicate belongings of yours /jewellery, documents, electronic gadgets, family heirlooms, collector’s items, and even life-saving medication/ must always travel with you.
Tags: transporting valuables house moving tips