What moving insurance actually covers and what it doesn't

Moving insurance protects your belongings during transport, but the coverage depends on which type you choose and what your moving company offers. Most moving companies include basic liability coverage at no extra cost — this covers damage caused by the mover's negligence, but only pays a small amount per pound of damaged goods, usually 60 cents per pound. That means a destroyed $1,000 couch might pay you $30.

Full-value protection and third-party moving insurance cover much more. Full-value protection means the moving company pays to repair or replace damaged items at current replacement cost, not depreciated value. Third-party insurance is a separate policy you buy from an insurance company, not the mover, and works like homeowners insurance — you pay a premium upfront and file a claim if something breaks. Neither covers damage from weather, pests, or normal wear during storage, and both have deductibles and exclusions you need to read carefully.

The key difference: basic liability is cheap or free but nearly worthless for expensive items. Full-value protection costs more but actually protects you. Third-party insurance sits between them in cost and coverage, and lets you choose your deductible.

Key Takeaways

  • Basic liability coverage included with most moves pays only 60 cents per pound of damaged goods, which is almost nothing for valuable items.
  • Full-value protection from your moving company covers replacement cost but costs 1 to 3 percent of your move's total value and has exclusions you must read.
  • Third-party moving insurance is a separate policy you buy before the move, lets you pick your deductible, and covers items the mover damages.
  • Homeowners or renters insurance may already cover your belongings during a move, so check your policy before buying extra coverage.
  • Get written estimates from movers that clearly state what liability coverage is included, then compare that to what you actually need to protect.

How to check what your homeowners or renters insurance already covers

Before you buy any moving insurance, call your homeowners or renters insurance agent and ask whether your policy covers belongings while they're in transit or in temporary storage. Many policies do cover this automatically, but the coverage amount and what's excluded varies widely. Some policies cover full replacement cost; others pay only depreciated value. Some exclude high-value items like jewelry, art, or electronics unless you've added a rider.

Ask your agent three specific things: the dollar limit on coverage during transit, whether that limit applies to items in storage, and what categories of items are excluded or limited. Write down the answers and ask for them in writing if possible. If your policy covers the move, you may not need to buy anything else. If it doesn't, or if the limit is too low, you know exactly how much extra protection to look for.

This step takes 10 minutes and can save you hundreds in unnecessary premiums. Many homeowners discover they're already covered and cancel the extra insurance the moving company tried to sell them.

Full-value protection through your moving company

Full-value protection is offered by most major moving companies and costs between 1 and 3 percent of your move's total value. If your move costs $10,000, full-value protection might cost $100 to $300. When you file a claim, the mover pays to repair the item or replaces it at current market price, not what you paid for it years ago.

The catch is what's excluded. Read the fine print carefully — most full-value policies exclude damage from weather, pests, improper packing by you, items packed in boxes you provided, and anything the mover says was already damaged when picked up. If a box of dishes breaks because the mover stacked boxes poorly, that's covered. If a box breaks because it got wet in a rainstorm while sitting on the truck, that may not be. If you packed it yourself and didn't tell the mover it was fragile, that's not covered either.

Full-value protection also usually comes with a deductible — often $250 to $500 per claim. You pay that amount out of pocket before the mover pays anything. Ask your moving company for the exact policy document before you commit, not just a summary. The document tells you what's actually covered and what isn't.

Third-party moving insurance and how to compare policies

Third-party moving insurance is a separate policy you buy from an insurance company, not from the mover. Companies like United Van Lines, Mayflower, and independent insurers like Chubb and AXA offer these policies. You buy the policy before the move, pay a premium upfront (usually $200 to $500 for a typical household move), and if something breaks, you file a claim with the insurance company, not the mover.

The advantage is control: you choose your deductible (often $250, $500, or $1,000), and the policy is written by an insurance company with no financial interest in denying your claim. The disadvantage is that you're paying twice — once for the mover's basic liability and again for the third-party policy — unless you decline the mover's coverage entirely, which some companies allow.

To compare policies, get quotes from at least two insurers and ask for the full policy document, not just a price. Compare the coverage limit (the maximum they'll pay), the deductible, what's excluded, and whether they cover items in storage as well as in transit. Some policies cover only items the mover damages; others cover theft or loss too. The cheapest policy isn't always the best if it excludes the items you care most about.

What to do if you have high-value items

If you own jewelry, art, antiques, electronics, or other items worth more than a few hundred dollars each, standard moving insurance often isn't enough. Most policies cap coverage per item at $500 to $2,500, and some exclude certain categories entirely. A $5,000 painting or a $3,000 laptop may not be fully covered under a basic policy.

For high-value items, you have two options. First, check whether your homeowners or renters policy has a rider or endorsement that covers these items at full value — many do, and adding one costs $50 to $200 per year. Second, ask your moving company or third-party insurer whether they offer coverage for high-value items and what the extra cost is. Some will cover them at full value for an additional premium; others will only cover them up to a limit.

The safest approach is to transport extremely valuable items yourself rather than putting them on the truck. A painting worth $10,000 or jewelry worth $5,000 is worth the inconvenience of driving it yourself or shipping it separately via a fine-art shipper. Ask your insurance agent which option they recommend for your specific items.

Questions to ask your moving company before you book

Before you sign a contract with a moving company, get the answers to these questions in writing. First, what liability coverage is included in the base price, and what does it actually cover? Second, what is the cost of full-value protection, and what does the policy exclude? Third, can you decline their coverage and use your own insurance instead? Fourth, do they allow you to pack items yourself, and if so, does that affect coverage?

Fifth, if something breaks, what's the process for filing a claim and how long does it take? Sixth, do they offer coverage for items in storage, and if so, for how long? Seventh, what's their track record with damage claims — do they pay them or fight them? You can often find reviews on the Better Business Bureau website or Google that mention whether the company paid claims fairly.

Get all of this in writing before you sign. If a moving company won't put their coverage terms in writing, that's a red flag. Verbal promises don't hold up when you file a claim.

How to file a claim if something breaks

If something breaks during the move, document it when ready. Take photos of the damage and the item, and keep the broken item itself if possible. Contact the moving company or insurance company within the timeframe stated in your policy — usually 30 to 60 days — and file a claim in writing, not by phone. Include the photos, a description of what happened, the item's replacement cost, and your proof of purchase if you have it.

The company will investigate and either approve the claim, deny it, or offer a settlement lower than you asked for. If you disagree with their decision, you can appeal or hire a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf. Keep copies of everything you send and everything they send you. If the claim is denied and you believe it should have been covered, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.

The entire process usually takes 4 to 12 weeks. Don't throw away broken items or the boxes they came in until the claim is resolved — the company may ask to inspect them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my renters insurance cover my stuff during a move?

Many renters policies do cover belongings in transit and in temporary storage, but the coverage limit and exclusions vary. Call your insurance agent and ask specifically whether your policy covers the move, what the dollar limit is, and what's excluded. If it does cover the move, you may not need to buy extra insurance.

Is full-value protection worth the extra cost?

It depends on what you're moving. If you own expensive furniture, electronics, or art, full-value protection is worth 1 to 3 percent of your move's cost. If you're moving mostly used items worth less than a few hundred dollars each, basic liability may be enough. Read the exclusions carefully — if the policy doesn't cover the types of damage most likely to happen to your items, it's not worth buying.

Can I pack my own boxes and still have coverage?

Most moving insurance policies exclude damage to items you packed yourself, or limit coverage for them. If you pack boxes, tell the moving company which ones you packed and ask whether they're covered. Some companies will cover them if you pack them properly; others won't cover them at all. It's safer to let the mover pack fragile items if you want full coverage.

What if the moving company damages something but denies the claim?

Document the damage with photos when ready and file a written claim within the timeframe in your policy. If the company denies the claim, ask them in writing why and what policy language they're using to deny it. If you disagree, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or hire a public adjuster to negotiate. Keep all documentation.

Should I buy insurance from the moving company or from a third party?

Third-party insurance gives you more control over your deductible and is written by an insurer with no financial interest in denying your claim. Moving company coverage is simpler — one contract, one company to deal with — but the company has a financial incentive to deny claims. Compare the cost and coverage of both before you decide.