What Movers Will and Will Not Cover

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Moving Insurance Inclusions and Exclusions

One of the first things that you must consider when hiring a moving company is what they will and will not cover. Keep in mind that you will be entrusting your valuables to a moving company, and it is important to protect your belongings even if the possibility of damage or loss is unlikely. The following is a short guide to what movers will and will not cover.

What Will Movers Cover?

Movers cover items that were professionally packed by them. This provides both you and the movers the assurance and mutual knowledge of the condition of the contents before it was packed. They will provide you with an inventory of the packed items including specific descriptions of each of the content's condition.

Furniture without any contents hidden in its compartments is also covered by the movers. This includes - but is not limited to - end tables, dressers, desks, bureaus, and night stands.

As long as your furniture is not made from composite materials, the movers will cover them as well. Some companies make exceptions for this type of furniture provided that these have been disassembled and packed flat.

Most of the items in your home can be covered by the movers for 60 cents per pound. Although that might not be enough to cover for your valuables, it is mandatory for all moving companies to provide this minimum amount of coverage for their customers. For example, if moving company damages or loses a Plasma or LCD TV that is worth $1,000 and weighs 30 pounds, the customer will get $18 of compensation for the loss or damage. However, while some people may not like the idea of weight-based insurance coverage, customers also sometimes have the option to go for cost-based insurance, although that is more expensive.

Items Not Covered by Moving Insurance

Items that exceed $1,000 in value

Lamps, lamp shades, photos, artworks, statues, and mirrors which are not boxed by the mover
Big glass or marble items not boxed or crated by the mover

Damage to owner-packed items, boxes, containers; manufacturer-packed items are regarded as owner-packed and will also be excluded from coverage

Condition of electrical and audio-visual equipment, battery-operated items, computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones

Damage or loss of items with a unique or antique nature, such as watches, jewelry, gemstones, cash and bank notes, traveler's checks, alcoholic beverages, medications, food, ammunition, and contraband items

Damage or loss of items that turn more valuable with time, such as sports memorabilia, coin or stamp collections, souvenirs, and other collectibles

Damage or loss from deterioration, wear and tear, changes in climate, molds, and infestations

Missing hardware for items that have been taken apart, unless the movers are the one who disassembled them

Chandeliers and gold plaster frames that were not crated by the mover
Particleboard, pressboard, and press wood furniture; reduction in quality as a result of disassembly and reassembly are also excluded from coverage

Items that have already been repaired and damaged previously

Small, loose items which were not stored in a box

A damaged item in a set is the only one covered by moving insurance; the entire set will not be replaced

Plants (live or artificial)

Any damage caused by other items in the shipment, such as hazardous materials, flammable, corrosive, or explosive components, and perishables

Scratching, chipping, denting, marring on items which have been marked as "condition unknown"

Damage or loss to non-household items, or items that have been marked for commercial and industrial purposes such as items for merchandise or exhibition

There will definitely be certain items that you want to protect for more than 60 cents per pound. To get appropriate coverage, it is best to work with your movers to determine proper valuation and for them to provide you with options that will give you the peace of mind you need.

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