How to check a mover is legitimate and insured before you book

Most people who hire a mover for the first time call a few numbers they've found online, get a quote, and book. They rarely check whether the company is actually registered, insured or licensed to operate. Then, weeks later, something breaks or goes missing, and they discover the mover has no insurance and no legal standing—making a claim impossible. This gap between assumption and reality costs households thousands in damages every year.

Verifying a mover before you hand over your belongings is not paranoia; it's basic due diligence. The good news is that the checks are straightforward, take under an hour, and protect you completely.

Search the business registration database

Start with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission). Any legitimate moving company should be registered as either a close corporation, private company, or sole proprietor with a trading license. Ask the mover for their registration number and look it up yourself on the CIPC website. You'll see the legal business name, registration date, and status. If a mover refuses to give you this number or it comes back as inactive or deregistered, walk away immediately.

While you're at it, search the company name online for any complaints on consumer forums or industry websites. A few negative reviews is normal for any service; a pattern of unresolved disputes or scams is not.

Confirm they carry liability and goods insurance

Insurance is where most rogue movers fail the test. Ask the mover directly: "Do you carry public liability insurance and goods-in-transit insurance?" Then ask them to send you a copy of their certificate of currency. This is a document from their insurance provider stating the policy is active, what it covers, and the coverage limits.

Do not accept a verbal promise. Do not accept a policy document without a current certificate of currency attached—policies lapse, and you won't know until you try to claim. Call their insurance provider (the number will be on the certificate) to verify the policy is real and current. This takes two minutes and is worth every second.

Make sure the insurance covers the total value of what you're moving. If you're shipping R200,000 worth of furniture, the policy must cover at least that amount. If the mover's standard policy is capped at R50,000, you may need to arrange additional coverage or use a different company.

Request references and call them

Ask for contact details of three or four clients from the past six months who have moved homes of similar size and complexity to yours. This is a standard request; legitimate movers keep lists ready.

When you call, don't ask generic questions. Ask specifically:

• Did anything break or go missing? If yes, how did the company handle the claim?
• Were there any unexpected charges or delays?
• Would you hire them again?
• Did they arrive on time and respect your home while loading and unloading?

If the mover seems reluctant to give you references, or if the references are cagey or non-committal, that's a red flag. References from real clients are one of your best windows into how a company actually works.

Check their operational credentials

Some movers are members of industry associations or hold specific licenses depending on the province and the scale of their operation. Ask whether they're registered with any industry bodies relevant to their work. This won't guarantee perfection, but it signals a commitment to standards.

Also ask about their complaints process. How do they handle damage claims? What's the timeline? Do they require documentation? A mover with a clear, documented process is more professional than one that sounds vague when you ask.

Once you've verified their registration, seen their insurance certificate, spoken to their references, and understood their claims process, you've done the hard work. You know what you're dealing with. When you're ready to book, you can do so with confidence that the company has the legal standing, financial backing, and track record to handle your move properly. Finding a verified mover on Strove means these checks are already baked in—the providers on the platform are vetted, reviewed, and rated by real customers, so you can skip straight to comparing quotes and booking with peace of mind.