Moving Insurance Guide: What's Covered and What's Not

Released Value Protection: The Free (Inadequate) Option

By federal law, all interstate movers must offer Released Value Protection at no additional charge. This is the default coverage if you don't select Full Value Protection.

What it covers: $0.60 per pound per article, regardless of actual value.

Real-world example: Your 50-lb flat-screen TV (worth $800) is destroyed. Your settlement: $0.60 × 50 = $30. Your loss: $770.

Another example: A valuable piece of jewelry weighing 0.5 oz is lost. Your settlement: $0.60 × 0.03 lbs = $0.02.

Released Value Protection is not insurance in any meaningful sense. It is a liability limitation that almost entirely protects the mover, not you. The only scenario where it's acceptable: moving items with zero sentimental or monetary value that you could easily replace at minimal cost.

Full Value Protection: The Right Option for Most Moves

Full Value Protection is the comprehensive liability option that movers are required by federal law to offer. It guarantees that if any item is lost, damaged, or destroyed, the mover must repair it, replace it, or pay you its current market value.

What it covers: The full replacement cost of lost or damaged items, up to the declared value of your shipment.

How it works:

1. You declare a shipment value (minimum $6 per pound × total shipment weight, or a higher declared value)
2. You pay a premium, typically 0.5–1.5% of declared value
3. If something is damaged, the mover must repair it, replace it with a comparable item, or pay you the cash value

Cost example for a 3-bedroom move:
Shipment weight: 8,000 lbs
Minimum declared value: 8,000 × $6 = $48,000
Premium at 1%: $480

Is it worth it? If your belongings are worth more than $5,000 (they almost certainly are), Full Value Protection is worth the cost. A single broken appliance or furniture item can easily exceed the premium cost.

Important deductible note: Most Full Value Protection plans have a $250–$500 deductible. Items with a deductible-level damage value won't result in a payment — factor this in when evaluating coverage.

Does Homeowners or Renters Insurance Cover Moving?

Many people assume their existing homeowners or renters insurance covers belongings during a move. The reality is more complicated:

• Some policies cover belongings in transit — but coverage is often limited to named perils (fire, theft) and may exclude accidents or mover damage
• Coverage during a move is often excluded entirely in standard policies
• The coverage that does apply may not be worth the deductible — if your deductible is $1,000 and a damaged item is worth $800, you receive nothing
• Filing a claim affects your premium — a small moving damage claim could increase your premium for years

Action steps:

1. Call your homeowners/renters insurance provider before moving and ask specifically: 'Does my policy cover belongings in transit during a move? What are the exclusions? What is the deductible?'
2. If your policy covers transit with a reasonable deductible, you may be able to skip the mover's Full Value Protection or use a lower declared value
3. Get the answer in writing — verbal assurances from insurance agents are not binding

Third-Party Moving Insurance Options

Several companies specialize in standalone moving insurance that often provides better coverage at lower cost than the mover's Full Value Protection:

• Baker International Insurance: One of the most established specialty moving insurers. Covers all-risk including mover damage, transit, and storage.
• Foremost Insurance Group: Offers moving-specific policies through agents nationwide
• Relocation Insurance Group: Specialty policies for both residential and corporate moves

Advantages of third-party insurance:

• Often cheaper than mover's Full Value Protection for the same coverage level
• Claims are handled by an independent insurer, not the same company that damaged your goods
• Coverage can include items excluded by movers (electronics, jewelry, artwork)
• Can cover the full move including multiple days, storage, and final delivery

What third-party policies typically cost: $100–$300 for a 2-bedroom move with $25,000 declared value; $200–$500 for a 3-bedroom move with $50,000 declared value. Compare this to the mover's Full Value Protection quote.

Protecting High-Value Items: Jewelry, Art, Electronics

Standard moving insurance — both Released Value and Full Value Protection — has significant exclusions for high-value items:

• Jewelry and watches: Most mover liability excludes jewelry entirely. Transport valuable jewelry personally in your carry-on or personal vehicle.
• Electronics: Many mover policies exclude electronics damage unless the mover packed them. If you pack your own electronics, document everything with photos and use original packaging.
• Artwork and antiques: Items valued over $100/lb typically require a specific high-value inventory declaration. Without this, coverage reverts to the per-pound rate.
• Collections: Coins, stamps, wine, art collections — these almost always require specialty insurance riders or standalone collectors policies.

Best practices for high-value items:

1. Transport irreplaceable or highly valuable items personally in your vehicle or carry-on
2. Get formal appraisals for artwork, jewelry, and antiques before moving — you'll need documentation to file a claim
3. Consider a specialty art insurer for valuable artwork (Chubb, AXA Art)
4. Photograph or video every valuable item before packing
5. Keep insurance policies and appraisal documents with you (not in the moving truck)

How to File a Moving Damage Claim

Filing a successful moving damage claim requires documentation and timely action. Here's the process:

1. Note damage at delivery: Before signing the delivery receipt (bill of lading), note any visible damage on the form. Write 'DAMAGE — see attached list' and photograph everything.
2. File within the deadline: For interstate moves, you have 9 months from delivery to file a written claim. For Full Value Protection, file as soon as possible — delays complicate investigations.
3. Document thoroughly: Photograph all damaged items with close-ups. Keep original packing materials (movers may inspect them). Note if items were professionally packed by the mover.
4. Submit a written claim: Send a written claim letter to the carrier's claims department with a list of damaged items, estimated value, and supporting photos. Send via certified mail and keep the tracking receipt.
5. The carrier has 30 days to acknowledge your claim and 120 days to deny, offer settlement, or pay — this is federal law.
6. Dispute resolution: If settlement is unsatisfactory, you can request arbitration. AMSA ProMover members are required to participate. Otherwise, small claims court is an option for smaller claims.