Four tips to ensure moving day goes as smoothly as possible

(NC) Moving can be a real headache. For one, it requires a lot of planning: finding a mover, sorting your personal belongings and coordinating the timing of the move. Then, there is the constant worry of whether your belongings are safe as they get packed away, loaded up and moved to your new home.

A lot can go wrong during a move, but by following some simple tips, you can minimize the worry and avoid mishaps.

Choose your mover wisely. Choosing a mover based on price alone is a big mistake. You want someone you can trust with all of your personal belongings. Be diligent: ask around for recommendations from friends or family and look for accreditation with the Better Business Bureau.

Sort out your insurance needs. James Hall, an insurance expert with Western Financial Group, suggests you contact your broker at least a couple of weeks in advance to discuss your insurance needs. Contacting your broker ahead of time will ensure your items are protected during transport and that you have coverage in place for your new home the moment you take possession.

A broker can identify whether your existing policy covers the contents of your home while they are in transit or if you should consider purchasing additional insurance from the moving company. “Just remember that not all moving companies offer insurance with full replacement protection,” Hall says. “That means you will only get a certain percentage of the value of your possessions should they be damaged during the move.”

Start packing early. Getting organized ahead of time will save you a lot of hassle come moving day. If you decide to pack boxes yourself, start with items that you don't often use. It's also a good idea to build an inventory of boxes and other loose items or furniture to make sure that everything transported by the mover arrives. Once boxes are full, be sure to label the outside with its contents, indicate whether they are fragile and write which room the box should be placed in at the new location.

Make arrangements at the new home. Depending on the type of residence you are moving to, you may need to arrange parking for the moving truck. If you are moving to an apartment, notify your landlord of the expected arrival time of the moving truck and book the elevator in the apartment building.

Keep valuables close. Family heirlooms, important documents, jewelry, laptop computers and other expensive items should stay under your watchful eye. Rather than packing them into a box with other contents, keep them with you in the vehicle you will be travelling in.

Double check all spaces. Once the moving truck is ready to roll, do a thorough walk-through of your old residence to ensure nothing has been missed. Check drawers, closets, crawl spaces and any other concealed spaces.

For more information on how to insure your personal property for an upcoming move, visit www.westernfinancialgroup.ca.