Removals Insurance – Everything You Need To Know

When planning a house move, it’s easy to get caught up in the logistics and costs involved.

Amidst all the planning, removals insurance often takes a backseat. However, ensuring your possessions are adequately covered during the move is crucial to avoid unexpected costs and stress.

Removals insurance can be complex, with many terms and conditions that can be difficult to understand.

This guide aims to lift the veil on removals insurance, answering some of the most common questions and helping you make an informed decision about the best ways to go about protecting your belongings.

What Is Removals Insurance and Why Is It Important?

Removals insurance is a type of coverage designed to protect your household items during the moving process.

While many removal companies are insured for liability, this doesn’t always mean your belongings are fully covered.

It’s essential to understand the difference between a removal company’s insurance and the coverage available to you as a customer.

Many removal companies insure their liability, meaning they are covered for any damage or loss they directly cause.

However, this does not necessarily extend to covering the full value of your possessions.

As a customer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your items are covered, either through additional insurance provided by the removal company or through a separate policy.

What Does “Limited Liability” Mean For You?

Having a good understanding of what limited liability insurance is will set you up for success.

So now that you know a bit about the importance of insuring your belongings, it’s time to look at what coverage you have as standard.

“Limited liability” is a term often used by removal companies to define the extent of their responsibility for your belongings.

This limitation is typically in place because the removals company may not know the exact value of your items or because certain events, such as extreme weather, are beyond their control.

Limited liability means that the company is only liable for a certain value per item, often around £40.

This amount may not cover the full value of your possessions, so it’s important to understand this limitation and consider purchasing additional coverage if needed.

What Am I Covered For in the Event of Damage or Negligence?

Most removal companies include some level of insurance as part of their service.

This coverage typically applies to goods in transit and may cover damage caused by the removal team during loading, transport, and unloading.

However, the coverage amount is often limited, and exclusions may apply.

It’s crucial to review the Terms and Conditions of your removal company’s insurance policy before your move. Check what is covered, including:

• Damage during transit: Scuffs, scrapes, or dents caused by moving items in and out of your home.
• Weather-related incidents: Whether your move is covered in cases of extreme weather conditions, such as snow or fog.
• Important documents: Coverage for important documents like passports, house deeds, and valuable collectables.

How Does Removals Insurance Differ From Liability Cover?

There are some key differences between removals insurance and limited liability coverage.

While liability cover limits the removal company’s responsibility, removals insurance provides additional protection tailored to the value and nature of your specific belongings.

Many removals companies, including White & Company, offer the option to purchase additional insurance, which can cover the full value of your items.

This additional coverage is particularly important for high-value or fragile items, such as antiques or family heirlooms.

Remember, this insurance will be subject to its own terms and conditions, so it’s essential to read and understand these before purchasing!

What Happens if I Pack the Items Myself?

Packing your own belongings often means you are only eligible for limited liability coverage.

If you choose to pack your belongings yourself, be aware that many insurance policies will have limited coverage for these items.

Most removals companies will only offer limited liability (typically around £40 per item) if they are not involved in the packing process.

This limitation is in place because the removal company cannot verify the condition or contents of the items before they are packed.

To ensure full coverage, consider using the packing services offered by the removal company, which also provides the benefit of professional-grade packing materials and the best packing techniques in the industry.

These packing services are the best way to safeguard your items and will help to ensure your items are eligible for full insurance coverage.

Does My Existing Home Contents Insurance Cover My Move?

You will need to check what your current home contents insurance covers you for.

Many home contents insurance policies include some level of coverage for items in transit.

However, this coverage can vary significantly, and there may be exclusions or limitations, especially if you are using a professional removal service.

When reviewing your home insurance policy, consider asking the following questions:

• Excluded items: Are there any items not covered during the move?
• Transit coverage: Does the policy cover items while they are being transported or stored?
• Professional removal coverage: Does using a professional removal company affect your coverage?
• Packing services: Does the policy require items to be packed by professionals for them to be covered?

If you’re unsure about your coverage, contact your insurance provider for further clarification, they should be happy to clear things up for you.

What Should I Do if Something Goes Wrong?

Choosing a removals company that are members of the BAR will ensure you have access to a dispute resolution scheme.

If your removal company is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR), they are likely signed up to an alternative dispute resolution scheme overseen by an independent body.

This provides you with an extra layer of protection, ensuring you have someone to turn to if something does go wrong during the moving process.

Always look for the BAR badge when choosing a removals company to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable provider!

Do I Need to Take Out Additional Removals Insurance?

Whether or not you need additional removals insurance depends on your own unique circumstances, existing coverage, and the level of risk you’re willing to accept during the move.

To make the most informed decision for your specific needs, follow these steps:

1. Review your home contents insurance: Check what’s already covered and under what conditions, see our earlier heading for all the important questions to ask.
2. Compare removals company policies: Look at the quotes and insurance policies offered by removal companies and pick the one that best suits you.
3. Read the fine print: Understanding the terms and conditions of any insurance or liability coverage is essential.
4. Consider additional coverage: Depending on the specifics of your move, such as international shipping, you may need extra coverage like marine insurance to safeguard all of your belongings.

Need More Advice?

With over 150 years of experience in the removals industry, White & Company are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your move.

We understand that removals insurance can be confusing, and we hope this article has gone some way to helping you understand what you need for your own move!

If you have any questions or need more detailed advice, the customer service team at White and Company is here to help.

With over 150 years of experience, we prioritise the safety and security of all of our customer’s possessions, regardless of where you are moving to or from.

For added peace of mind, consider our comprehensive ‘All Risk’ Marine Standard Liability cover, designed especially for customers embarking on an overseas move.

Get in touch with us today to discuss all of your options, and let White & Company ensure your move is smooth, secure, and stress-free throughout!

Max Peterson

Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.