Protecting Valuables During a Move: Jewelry, Cash & Documents

Items You Should Always Keep With You

Certain belongings should never go on the moving truck. Keep jewelry, cash, passports, birth certificates, wills, property deeds, insurance policies, medications, and external hard drives or USB sticks containing personal data in your personal bag or vehicle. These items are either irreplaceable or extremely difficult to recover if lost or stolen.

Create a dedicated "valuables bag" — a lockable carry-on or small safe — that stays with you at all times on moving day. If you're driving to your new Montreal home, keep it in the trunk. If you're flying in from out of province, carry it as your personal item on the plane.

How to Secure High-Value Items for Transport

For items that must go on the truck — such as framed artwork, antiques, or electronics — document their condition with timestamped photos before packing. Wrap each item individually in acid-free tissue or bubble wrap, then place it in a clearly labelled box marked "FRAGILE" on all sides. Consider using a moving company that offers declared-value protection or full-replacement-value coverage.

In Quebec, basic mover liability typically covers only $0.60 per pound per article — meaning a damaged $3,000 laptop weighing five pounds would net you just $3. Ask your mover about supplemental valuation coverage or check with your home insurance provider. Many policies in Quebec extend coverage to belongings in transit, but you need to confirm the details before moving day.

Extra Precautions for Irreplaceable Items

For heirloom jewelry, rare collectibles, or fine art valued above $5,000, consider hiring a specialized art or valuables courier. These services offer climate-controlled transport with full insurance — well worth the cost for irreplaceable pieces. In Montreal, several fine-art logistics companies serve residential clients.

Make digital copies of all important documents and store them in encrypted cloud storage before your move. This ensures that even if the physical copies are lost, you still have access. Keep a detailed inventory list with photographs and estimated values — it's essential for filing insurance claims should the worst happen.