Movers must offer free released-value protection (just 60 cents per pound per item), while full-value protection costs about 1–2 percent of your shipment's declared value and makes the mover responsible for repair, replacement, or reimbursement. For anything valuable, the free option is almost no coverage at all. This guide explains both valuation levels, third-party policies, what is excluded, and how to decide what to buy.
| Coverage | Cost | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Released-value protection | Free (included) | 60 cents per pound per item |
| Full-value protection | ~1–2% of declared value | Repair, replace, or reimburse actual value |
The gap is enormous. Under released value, a damaged 10-pound laptop pays $6; under full value, the mover must make you whole (subject to the policy terms and any deductible). Our released vs full-value guide goes deeper on the mechanics.
Full-value protection typically runs 1–2 percent of the declared value of your shipment. Declare $30,000 and you might pay $300–$600, often with a deductible that lowers the price. You choose the declared value, so under-declaring saves money but caps your payout — declare realistically. Full-value coverage is one of the accessorial line items on a full-service move.
Beyond the mover's valuation, separate third-party moving insurance policies are sold by specialty insurers. For high-value or long-distance loads, a third-party policy can offer broader coverage than the mover's full-value protection, sometimes at a competitive price. Compare the declared-value cost, the deductible, and the exclusions against the mover's offer before choosing.
Before buying anything, call your insurer. Some homeowners or renters policies cover personal property in transit, but many limit or exclude goods in a moving company's custody, and damage from the movers' own handling is usually not covered. Knowing what your existing policy does and does not cover tells you exactly how big a gap full-value or third-party insurance needs to fill.
Read the bill of lading and any policy for the full exclusion list before you rely on it — and note that scams sometimes exploit confusion about coverage, so review our moving scams and red flags guide too.
Factor the coverage cost into your overall budget with our free moving cost calculator, and learn your full rights in our interstate moving guide.
Coverage only helps if you can collect on it, so handle the claim correctly from the start. The most important step happens at delivery: inspect your goods against the inventory before the crew leaves, and note any damage or missing items on the delivery paperwork while the movers are still there. A documented note at delivery is far stronger than a complaint raised days later. Photograph the damage, keep the inventory and bill of lading, and file your written claim within the window stated in your contract — for interstate moves this is typically up to nine months, but sooner is always better.
For a full-value claim, the mover chooses whether to repair the item, replace it, or pay its current value, subject to any deductible you selected. For a released-value claim, expect only 60 cents per pound, which is why that free coverage disappoints anyone with a damaged laptop or TV. If the mover denies a valid claim or low-balls it, interstate carriers must offer a dispute-resolution or arbitration process you can use, and you can escalate unresolved issues to the FMCSA. Keeping organized records — estimate, bill of lading, inventory, and dated photos — is what turns a coverage promise into an actual payout.
Free released-value protection is minimal — 60 cents per pound — so for anything valuable, buy full-value protection (about 1–2 percent of declared value) or a third-party policy. Check your existing insurance first, declare a realistic value, list high-value articles separately, and read every exclusion before you rely on the coverage.
Basic released-value protection is free and included, but it only pays 60 cents per pound per item. Full-value protection from the mover typically costs 1 to 2 percent of your shipment's declared value — about 200 to 600 dollars for a 30,000-dollar shipment, often with a deductible. Separate third-party moving insurance policies vary by insurer and declared value but can be competitive for high-value loads.
Released-value protection is free and pays only 60 cents per pound per item, so a damaged 10-pound laptop pays just 6 dollars. Full-value protection costs extra but makes the mover responsible for repairing, replacing, or reimbursing the item's actual value. For anything valuable, full-value protection is the meaningful coverage; released value is essentially minimal.
Federal rules require interstate movers to offer at least released-value protection, which is free but minimal. You need more coverage — full-value protection or a separate third-party policy — if you are moving valuable, fragile, or hard-to-replace items, going long distance, or simply want peace of mind. Check whether your homeowners or renters policy already covers items in transit before buying extra.
Sometimes, but often not fully. Some homeowners or renters policies cover personal property during a move, but many exclude or limit goods in a moving company's custody, and damage from the movers' handling is usually not covered. Call your insurer to confirm what applies during transit, then decide whether to add full-value protection or a third-party policy to fill the gap.
Coverage commonly excludes items you packed yourself unless the box itself is visibly damaged, declared-value limits you exceed, perishables, plants, hazardous materials, and cash or important documents you should carry yourself. High-value articles like jewelry and art often must be listed separately to be fully covered. Always read the policy and the bill of lading to see the exclusions before you rely on it.