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I tried this thread in other forums, to no avail. Hopefully will be able to get some answers here.

When my current grand piano was moved into my residence, the piano movers (highly reputable) determined that the move was possible, but it would be tight. Before they would move the piano in, they made me sign a waiver that would excuse them of any liability in case damage occurred.

I didn't want them to take my brand new piano away, but I also didn't feel like having to pay for damages to my piano without even having played it yet. In the end, I signed the waiver and the piano was moved without incident.

My question, however, is this : Do not specialized piano movers have business insurance for just this reason? Is it unreasonable to expect a piano moving company to, after determining that a piano move is possible, to accept responsibility for their actions?

Reputable movers should have a comprehensive insurance policy that covers property damage, loss, theft, and medical. If you are dealing with people who refuse to furnish proof of insurance, don't use them. It's that simple.

That's my issue; the movers have business insurance that covers all of those things. They still refused to move my piano until I signed a waiver clearing them of any liability.

As far as their reputation, they're pretty much the biggest name in town, used by at least two dealers as their primary movers.

Have you discussed this matter with the moving company? You might ask the same question of a slightly smaller, though reputable, name.

Legal advice is not the specialty of PW.

My father in law was an attorney, and I asked him about renting out a piano dolly I used to have. He said I was liable for damages/injury, etc. I asked about having people sign a waiver, like you signed. He told me.:"You cannot contract away negligence". That is, the waiver is meaningless.

Do they have a motor carriers number ? Should have the letters MC on their truck somewhere with a number. If it is not there then they cannot legally move anything for hire unless the dealership owns their own truck and pianos are the only things they haul as in scope of license. That is a federal law in the US and I am sure you have similar laws in Canada since it is more strict there.

If a piano mover or rigging company came to my place and said something may get damaged I would start calling other movers. That kind of tells me they have no clue as to what they are doing or have no faith in their employees or help.

I have a bunch of different types of insurance. One will cover the instrument in the store to the threshold to outdoors. Then the cargo insurance takes over but when I arrive at a residence it is another entirely different policy that covers everything while I am there.

How many insurance companies does it take for you to screw in a light bulb?

I think there is an exclusion for "light bulbs". Ha ha.

Well if you deal with used items, I give it 10 years and any business that sells anything used will have to be self insured unless something changes.

The biggest concern is lack of warning labels ?? How many warning labels can you put on a piano? or in it.