Protecting all your possessions when moving house is of the utmost importance.
Not only do you want to ensure that everything arrives safely at your new home, but you also want additional cover if any mishaps should happen.
The same can be said when moving an office, where valuable equipment needs to be covered whilst in transit.
Now, any professional mover will take the utmost care to ensure belongings are safe at all times when transported, but that being said, having removals insurance cover in place will certainly give you peace of mind when moving home essentials.
Luckily, most removal companies do offer insurance coverage, which makes it all the more worthwhile to work with a professional removal company.
In this article, we unpack what moving insurance is, and how you can benefit from this important service as part of your home relocation.
What is removals insurance?
Removals insurance ensures that all furniture, furnishings, and valuables are covered in the event of losses and damages when making a house move or during an office relocation.
Although removals cover can be purchased from an insurance provider, most premium moving companies do have insurance coverage in place.
Often, this cover will include protection in the case of weather events such as storms, vandalism, or roadside accidents.
It is crucial that you check with your moving company what will be covered during your move, and if there are any conditions of insurance, such as only allowing a moving company to have items professionally packed.
Is removal insurance worth it?
When you are planning a house move, you will likely be wondering whether you need removals insurance, especially as this might come at an additional cost.
However, it is important that you consider the value of your possessions and the risks involved in the moving process.
Even when working with a professional moving company, you must ensure that you purchase the right insurance cover to protect your belongings during your move.
Life happens, and the last thing you want, is to be without financial compensation, should anything happen to your home belongings.
How much does removals insurance cost?
Your removals insurance will usually be around 10% of the cost of your full move, but ensure that you check with your moving company whether their fees are different or what they typically charge.
Another important consideration is to check whether your existing home contents insurance already covers your belongings when moving house, as this could help you save money when relocating to a new address.
Have a look to determine what your existing home insurance policy includes, and what you should budget for if there are any exclusions.
Types of removals insurance and cover
The different types of removals insurance usually include Goods in Transit insurance, storage insurance and full coverage insurance.
Goods in Transit insurance covers your possessions while they’re being moved, while storage insurance covers your possessions while they’re stored away from your property.
If you choose full coverage as your insurance cover, your belongings will be insured both in transit and storage, and you will get the extra benefit of cover against damage caused by weather elements, including floods and other events.
The type of cover you choose will depend on your moving needs.
For instance, if you only need insurance for possessions in transit, you will not need storage insurance.
Understanding limited liability and removals insurance
In some cases, removal companies may limit their liability for insurance cover and only provide certain specified benefits.
Always check the level of liability that your removal company offers, and consider purchasing additional insurance to cover any gaps in liability.
Finding the right removal company
When you need to narrow down choices for a moving company that offers moving insurance, reputation and results are crucial.
Read reviews online, see what other customers say about the services that they received, and only choose a professional removals company that is fully insured and has a good reputation.
Also, check if the company is registered with The British Association of Removers (BAR) or has other industry certifications.
As a final step, get quotes from multiple removal companies and compare their insurance options.
Do remember that the cheapest option is not necessarily the best – consider which benefits you will be getting for cover and what your coverage needs are.
Why it is worth it to use a professional removals company
Most insurance policies require you to use a professional removals company to cover your possessions during the move.
A reputable removals firm will have the proper equipment to move all your belongings safely, reducing the risk of damage.
Do remember that DIY moves are typically not covered by removals insurance, so rather work with a trusted moving company that will ensure all your valuable items are protected.
How long do you have to claim if any damages do happen?
Removal companies and insurers often have a time limit on claims, so check the time limit specified by your removal company, which may vary depending on the type of claim.
Make sure to inspect your goods as soon as possible after collection or delivery.
If you do need to make an insurance claim, you must contact your insurance provider as soon as possible, and provide any information needed for your claim to be processed.
Ensure that you have all important documents at hand, including photos of damage to your property.
Checklist: Tips for choosing the right removals insurance
- Calculate the total value of your possessions to determine how much cover you need.
- Check the total overall limit and single-item limit in your policy’s terms and conditions.
- Work closely with your moving company to determine whether you will need extra cover.
Need more information about removals insurance cover?
If you need removals insurance or more information about how to protect your belongings during a move, our expert team would be happy to assist you with information.
Contact us today – we look forward to making your move as stress free as possible!
