What Happens if My Belongings Are Damaged During a Move?

We take real pride in a long track record of careful moves, and damage is rare. But moving means handling your entire household by hand, and once in a while something can go wrong. If it does, we have a clear, honest process for making it right. As a fully licensed and insured mover regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission, we offer defined coverage levels so you know exactly where you stand before a single box is loaded.

Your two coverage levels

In Illinois, what a mover owes you for a damaged item is set by your "valuation" level. Valuation is not quite the same thing as insurance. It is the amount of liability we take on for your belongings. You choose from two levels.

Basic coverage (Released Value Protection)

This is the state-required minimum, and it is included with every move at no extra cost.

Under basic coverage, our liability is $0.60 per pound, per item, based on weight rather than on what the item is worth. So if a 100-pound dresser were damaged beyond repair, the coverage would come to $60 (100 pounds times $0.60), no matter what you originally paid for it.

That math makes something clear: for light but valuable items, like electronics or a piece of art, basic coverage may not go very far. Which is exactly why the second option exists.

Full Value Protection

For more complete peace of mind, you can upgrade to Full Value Protection for an additional cost. We strongly recommend it if you are moving high-value furniture, electronics, or anything you would be heartbroken to lose.

With Full Value Protection, you declare a total value for your shipment, and if an item is damaged, we are responsible for repairing it or covering its replacement value rather than a flat per-pound figure. For most people moving a home full of things that genuinely matter to them, this is the level worth having. If you have specific high-value pieces, an antique or a piece of fine art, tell us during the estimate and we will help you choose the right protection.

If something does get damaged

Should a problem come up, a few steps keep the process smooth, and the exact terms are spelled out in the bill of lading you sign:

• Tell us right away. Report any damage as soon as you notice it, ideally while the crew is still there or very soon after, so we can document it while everything is fresh.
• Keep the item and the packing. Do not throw anything away, the damaged piece or the packing materials, until the claim has been reviewed. We have the right to inspect both.
• Know how packed boxes work. For boxes you packed yourself, our liability is limited unless there is clear damage to the outside of the box from our handling. When our team does the packing, that question goes away, since we are responsible for what we pack.

Our commitment

We have built this business since 1982 on being the movers who do not disappear once the truck is empty. If something goes wrong, our goal is a fair resolution, handled quickly and without a runaround. The overwhelming majority of our moves finish without a scratch, but knowing there is a clear, honest process behind you is part of what should make the day less stressful, not more.

If you want to talk through your coverage options or flag a few valuable pieces before your move, call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com, or read more in our FAQ. We will make sure you are protected at the level that fits what you are moving.