Moving Insurance: What’s Covered and What Isn’t
“Are you insured?” is one of the first questions customers ask — and rightly so. But a simple “yes” doesn’t tell you much on its own. What matters is exactly what’s covered, up to what amount and with which exclusions. In this guide we explain in plain English how moving insurance works, so you know what to ask and how to protect yourself.
You don’t need to become an insurance expert. You just need to know three things: what kind of cover there is, up to what amount and what the main exclusions are. With that, you can decide what to carry yourself, what to leave to the packing team and whether you need anything extra.
What does moving insurance cover?
Moving insurance usually covers damage to or loss of your belongings during loading, transport and unloading, up to a maximum amount and in line with the terms of the policy. Cash and jewellery are normally excluded, as is pre-existing wear — and often internal damage in boxes packed by the customer.
The main types of cover
Not all insurance is the same. On a move you’ll usually come across the following:
- Goods-in-transit insurance: covers your belongings during transport against specific risks such as a road accident, the vehicle overturning or fire. This is the most common type of cover.
- “All risks” cover: broader cover that also includes handling damage — a piece of furniture knocked during loading, for instance — subject to the exclusions set out in the policy.
- Public liability insurance: covers damage to third parties or shared areas, such as a broken glass entrance door or a scraped wall on the stairs.
Ask the moving company which of these it has and request the details in writing.
Common exclusions
The exclusions are the part few people read and most people are affected by. The most common are:
- Cash, jewellery, precious stones and documents. Always carry these yourself.
- Pre-existing wear. A scratch that was there before the move isn’t covered.
- Items packed by the customer. If a box shows no outside damage but something inside is broken, many policies won’t pay out, because there’s no proof the damage happened in transit.
- Electrical faults in appliances that show no external damage.
- Normal wear and inherent defects in the item itself, such as furniture with joints that were already loose.
- Flammable and dangerous materials, which shouldn’t be moved at all.
How compensation is worked out
Most policies set a maximum amount per move and often a maximum per item. Compensation is usually based on the item’s value at the time of the damage — not the price of buying a new one. For high-value items such as a piano, artwork or antiques, ask whether you can declare their value in advance and whether extra cover is available.
What to ask before you book
- What kind of insurance cover do you have?
- What is the maximum cover per move and per item?
- What are the main exclusions?
- Are the items I pack myself covered?
- Is extra cover available for high-value items?
- How, and within how many days, do I report damage?
A serious moving company will answer in writing. For more questions, see the 7 questions to ask before choosing a moving company.
Your home insurance may cover something too
Some home insurance policies cover your contents during a move, or for a few days afterwards. Call your insurer before the move and ask. And don’t forget to update your home insurance with your new address.
How to protect yourself before the move
- Photograph valuable furniture and appliances before the move. The photos prove their condition.
- Make a list of anything of particular value.
- Leave the packing of valuable fragile items to professionals. See our packing service.
- Mention special items in advance, so they’re moved with the right equipment as part of our special item moves.
- Keep with you cash, jewellery, documents and hard drives with important data.
What to do if something gets damaged
- Note visible damage straight away, at delivery and in front of the team.
- Take photos of the item and its packaging.
- Don’t throw the packaging away until the claim is settled.
- Tell the moving company in writing about anything you discover later, within the deadline in their terms.
- Keep copies of all messages and receipts.
What a damage report should include
A complete damage report speeds things up considerably. Include:
- The date of the move and both addresses.
- A description of the item and the damage.
- Photos of the item, the damage and the packaging.
- Photos from before the move, if you have them.
- Proof of purchase or a valuation, for high-value items.
- When and how you discovered the damage.
An example: how it works in practice
Say the corner of a wooden bookcase gets knocked during unloading. The damage is visible, so you note it there and then in front of the team and take photos. You then send a written report with the photos. The moving company looks into the case and, depending on the terms of the cover, offers a repair or compensation.
If, on the other hand, you open a box you packed yourself a week later and find a broken plate, with no damage at all to the box, the cover may not apply. That’s why good packing and checking your things promptly matter just as much as the insurance itself.
Insurance and furniture storage
If your belongings will spend some time in storage, ask separately what’s covered while they’re there — for example fire, damp or theft. Cover during transport and cover during storage are often different.
Do I need extra insurance?
For most home moves, the moving company’s standard cover is enough. Extra cover is worth considering when you’re moving items worth more than the per-item limit, such as a piano, artwork, antiques or expensive electronics. In those cases, declare their value before the move and ask for written confirmation of the cover.
Our cover
TheBestMovers moves are covered by transport insurance, and before every move we tell you in writing about the terms and limits of the cover. See how it works in our terms of use and ask for your quote — or try a quick cost estimate first.
