If you're anticipating an upcoming move to a new home in a new community, you may be worried about your antique furnishings becoming damaged along the way. Fortunately, strategies exist for minimizing the chances of this happening, and you can also take proactive measures to ensure that your costs are covered in the event that damage occurs while your valuables are in transit. Following are five things you should always do in the process of moving antiques to your new home. 

Take Clear Photographs 

Having photographs of your treasures helps you collect if something goes wrong during the move and you need to file a claim for damages. Taking multiple photos of the same object from different angles increases your chances of proving its condition before the damage occurred. 

Have an Appraisal 

Hire a reputable antiques appraiser to provide you with a figure of what your antiques are worth. This provides those in the process of moving with a starting point if it becomes necessary to request damages from the moving company or an insurance policy. In fact, most insurers won't grant this type of insurance without a comprehensive appraisal. You can either purchase this insurance separately or ask your homeowners' insurance agent about adding a temporary rider to your policy to cover damages that may occur when moving.

Have a Placement Plan

Most antique furniture is heavy. It's usually constructed from the dense heartwood of old-growth trees rather than the pressboard so often used to make modern furniture. The less your antiques are handled during the move, the less likely they are to become damaged—and damage isn't necessarily incurred while in transit. Knowing exactly where they are going to be placed in your new home prevents situations such as tired workmen moving heavy pieces around the home until you feel you've found a spot that fits. 

Book a Temperature-Controlled Moving Van

One of the biggest mistakes made by those relocating antiques is the failure to book a climate-controlled moving van. You may think that it's worth the risk if you are only moving a few hours away from your previous location, but temperature extremes and humid conditions can damage antiques quickly, and if this happens, it's very unlikely that your insurance company will cover it. 

Hire the Right Moving Company

Ask your moving company representative about their experience and expertise involving moving antiques. Choosing one with significant experience and knowledge increases the chances of your valuable antiques arriving at their destination damage-free.