A Guide To Removals Insurance

Removals insurance, also known as movers insurance, is a crucial part of the moving process and can provide significant peace of mind. To cover your house move, your insurance provider may require an additional premium, though this cost is generally affordable. Since you're entrusting your possessions to someone else during the move, many find that removals insurance is worth the added expense.

Some contents insurance policies may already cover your belongings while in transit, so it's important to first check with your current provider before comparing removals insurance options. When choosing your removal company, be sure to ask about their own insurance policies and whether their cover can be increased if needed.

In this article, we will explore what removals insurance covers, the average costs involved, and whether the additional fees are worth it for your house move.

What Does Removals Insurance Cover?

Removals insurance protects your furniture, furnishings, and some valuables from losses and damages during your house move or office relocation. This coverage typically extends to the entire moving process, including packing, transportation, unloading, and unpacking of the items covered. You can purchase a removals insurance policy directly from an insurance provider or possibly even from your moving company.

Whilst each policy is different, typically, you’re belongings will be covered during the move by damage caused by:

Vandalism or malicious acts

Theft or attempted theft

Storms or flooding

A crash with another vehicle

It’s crucial to read your removals insurance policy thoroughly before your moving date, as some factors may not be covered. For instance, certain policies might exclude coverage for bikes, fragile items like china or glass, or items that haven’t been professionally packed. Many removal companies offer additional packing services for added protection, ensuring that your belongings are properly safeguarded during the move.

How Much Does Removals Insurance Cost?

On average, removals insurance costs around 10% of the removal cost. For example, if your move totals £2,000, you can expect to pay an additional £200 for insurance.

We previously calculated the average removal cost in the UK as £1,044, meaning the added insurance cost for this size move would be around £104.40.

However, the price can vary based on factors like the provider, the volume of goods being moved, accessibility to the property, and the distance travelled. Fragile items like antiques and family heirlooms are often excluded from standard policies, which may increase the overall insurance cost. The moving date does not influence the cost, which is why we recommend moving on a Friday or Saturday, as research shows these are the best days to move house.

If you choose to extend your insurance coverage to include fragile or high-value items, the coverage will likely be capped at 10% of the item value. For example, if your goods are valued at £50,000, the maximum claim under your removals insurance would be £5,000.

Is It Worth The Cost?

The cost of removals insurance will depend on various factors, such as whether you already have coverage in place.

While reliable removal companies always strive to complete moves without issues, some things are beyond their control. There is no guarantee that accidents won’t happen, so it’s important to consider whether you’re willing to take the risk of a move going smoothly without any damages. Removals insurance provides peace of mind, ensuring that if something goes wrong, you're covered.

What Insurance is Needed When Moving House?

One of the most important insurance policies when moving house is contents insurance. Ideally, you should look for contents insurance that includes physical removal coverage.

Before hiring a moving company, it’s essential to check what cover they offer and which of your items will be protected while in their care. You’ll need to confirm whether the moving company’s insurance is included in your contract or if there will be an additional fee for coverage. It’s important to compare options, as insuring independently can sometimes be a more affordable choice.

If you're moving abroad, make sure to compare international removals insurance to ensure your items are fully protected.

If you're using self-storage during your move, consider taking out a specialist policy for additional peace of mind. While many storage companies provide basic insurance coverage for your belongings, the level of protection can vary. For example, some removal or storage providers may not cover damage caused by fire.

What is Storage Insurance?

If your items are not covered while in storage, you may want to consider upgrading your insurance policy or taking out storage insurance. Storage insurance is a specialist insurance product designed to protect your possessions, whether domestic or business, against risks associated with storing them away from your property.

However, it’s important to note that you’ll likely only be covered while your goods are stored in approved storage locations. Storage insurance also ensures that your belongings are protected during transit to and from the storage facility, providing additional peace of mind throughout the process.

Do You Need Removals Insurance if You Have Contents Insurance?

Some contents insurance policies already include coverage for moving house, so it’s important to review your existing policy and consult with your provider. Many policies offer cover for contents temporarily removed from the home, with a cap on the value of your items. This coverage is commonly referred to as contents in transit.

If this coverage isn’t included in your current policy, you can request your provider to add contents in transit coverage to your existing insurance policy for extra protection during your move.

Does Home Insurance Cover Removals?

Whether your home insurance covers your move depends on your specific home insurance policy. According to Money Supermarket, “42% of insurers won’t cover your move at all.”

There are two primary types of home insurance: buildings insurance and contents insurance, which can be purchased separately or combined into a single policy. You can also explore how much building insurance costs for further insight.

While some insurers may cover your contents during transit, this is not always guaranteed, so it's crucial to thoroughly read your policy.

It’s also important to understand that some insurance providers may refuse to pay out a claim if they determine your items weren’t professionally packed. This is why many moving companies require that you use their experienced packing services. However, it’s worth noting that man and van services may not be covered under some policies.

Ask Your Removal Company About Their Policies and Cover

When comparing removal companies, always ensure they are fully insured before accepting the quote. At Omni Removals, all removal partners must provide proof of Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance, guaranteeing that both you and your possessions are fully protected.

When asking about insurance, take the time to thoroughly read through their policies so you understand what is and isn’t covered. Also, be sure to check the time frame for making a claim in case any issues arise.

It’s also worth noting that most home insurance policies will include coverage for accidental damage or loss if you hire a professional removals company for your move.

What Does Limited Liability Mean?

Removal companies will not always know the exact value of the items they are moving. Whilst reputable movers will always aim to handle your items with care and respect, accidents can occur and events can happen out of their control. Due to this risk, removal companies will seek to limit their liability.

Every removal company will have their own levels of liability which can usually be found in the Terms and Conditions. Before deciding on the level of cover you require, you should check the company’s level of liability.

Will a Removal Company’s Insurance Policy Cover Your Possessions?

As part of their contract, most removal companies will provide insurance cover for your possessions during the move. The most common and essential cover is Goods in Transit Insurance, which protects your items while they're being transported.

Before your move, it’s advisable to get your goods valued to determine whether you need additional insurance coverage. Typically, Goods in Transit Insurance only covers up to around £40-£50, so if your belongings are worth more, you may need to discuss increasing the coverage with your moving company.

When comparing insurance policies, be sure to check if the company requires you to take an inventory of the items being moved, including their individual values, to ensure you're adequately covered.

What Does Goods in Transit Insurance Cover?

All removal companies should be covered by Goods in Transit Insurance, which protects clients from any loss or damage to their belongings during the move. This coverage should be included in the final removal cost and should not incur any additional fees.

Theft of goods whilst in transit

Damage caused during transit

Loss of items during transit

Goods in Transit Will Not Cover:

Storage of goods

Theft from an unattended or insecure vehicle

Damage or confiscation of goods by the government

Issues beyond the stated policy limits

How Long Do You Have to Claim?

There are often time limits on claims when dealing with removal companies and their insurers. This is to prevent clients from submitting false claims by presenting damaged items after a significant period.

The time you have to make a claim will depend on the removal company’s policy and the specific insurer. It's highly recommended to inspect your possessions immediately after the move is complete to address any potential issues before the claim deadline passes.

If you need to file a complaint against a removal company, you can escalate the issue by contacting the relevant regulatory body.

Finding the Right Removal Company

To ensure choose one of the best removal companies in the business, Omni Removals' simple online form where you’ll be matched with up to 6 verified and experienced moving companies in your local area.

For added peace of mind, know that every removal company that enters our network must show proof of both Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance. They must also be put through our strict verification process to ensure they can work to our high standards. This not only ensures both you and your possessions are protected throughout the process, but that every partner can and will deliver quality services.

*Based on the average service costs for Omni Removals users. See how our data works.