Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Vlad Stoikovich
This is an incredibly common question and it’s certainly an important one. This article will quickly go over a few small things that can make a big difference to your hip pocket if something does go wrong. I’ll briefly explain what public liability insurance and transit insurance cover and why you should be wary of any company that says they’re “fully insured”. Obviously, I can’t go into absolutely everything about insurance but I should be able to arm you with a bit of knowledge for your next move!
1.The best way to get covered for your move is through your home and contents insurance. Not every policy includes moving insurance but the majority do, the catch is they have to be activated. If this is an option for your move, take it. It means that you have your own insurance policy rather than one held by the company.
2.The most commonly held insurance policies are public liability and transit insurance. Removalists are required to hold these insurance policies but they are in no way comprehensive or “fully covered”. The Public liability insurance should cover major damage to your home, e.g. the truck backed into your house and took out some guttering. Transit insurance will cover your belongings while they’re in transit but if at the other end if one of the movers tripped and dropped your tv, if it was off the truck it would no longer be considered in transit and not covered.
3.Quality removalists will have something similar to our pledge of care. They aren’t insurance policies but they do give a good indication of the level of service provided. It should be a clear written guarantee that you can have a copy of. We know that we can offer to repair or replace any damage caused by our negligence because we know that we have quality staff. If we weren’t able to live up to that pledge we would’ve gone bust a long time ago!
Removals Insurance FAQs
Yes, but you will need to specify these items when applying for insurance, and the premium may be higher. Some insurers may require valuations or receipts for these items.
Yes, many insurers offer coverage for items in storage. Check with your insurance provider to confirm.
That depends on what their insurance covers and the value of your items. If you have high-value items, or if the removalist’s insurance doesn’t cover accidental damage or certain types of loss, you may want to consider getting additional coverage.
While some removalist companies offer transit insurance as part of their service, not all do. Furthermore, this may not cover all types of damage or loss. Check with your removalist company to understand what’s included.
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the damage. They’ll guide you through the claims process, which typically involves filling out a claim form and providing evidence of the damage, such as photos and receipts.
You pay a premium to an insurance provider to cover your belongings during the move. If any of your items are lost or damaged during the move, you can file a claim with the insurer to compensate for the loss or repair.
The cost of removals insurance depends on factors like the value of your belongings, the distance of the move, whether you’re moving locally or internationally, and the type of cover you choose.
Removals insurance provides coverage for your belongings while they’re being moved, whether you’re moving locally, interstate, or internationally. It covers loss or damage due to accidents, fire, theft, and other events.
Exclusions vary by policy, but common ones include damage due to wear and tear, moth or vermin damage, and mechanical derangement (items not working despite no physical damage). Damage caused by poor packing may also be excluded if you packed your items yourself.
Look for a policy that covers a wide range of events, including accidental damage during transit and loading/unloading. Also, check the policy’s exclusions, the process for making a claim, and whether it offers new-for-old replacement.
Vlad Stoikovich is the General Manager of HomeMove, with more than twenty years in the Melbourne removalist industry, you won’t find anyone with more experience or greater integrity.
