Does my home insurance cover moving?

Does Home Insurance Cover Moving?

Generally, standard home insurance policies in the UK, covering buildings and contents, do not extend to items once they leave the insured property during a house move. This means that personal possessions are typically not covered for loss or damage while they are being transported from one property to another, or while they are temporarily stored off-site.

Understanding Your Existing Home Insurance

Before any move, it is crucial to review the specifics of an existing home insurance policy. Some policies might include limited "All Risks" or "Away from Home" cover. This type of cover usually applies to specific portable items, such as jewellery or electronics, and typically only covers them against accidental damage or theft while in use away from home, not for the entire contents of a property during transit.

It is rare for a standard home insurance policy to offer comprehensive cover for the entire moving process, including packing, loading, transit on a lorry, unloading, and any temporary storage. Always contact the insurance provider directly to confirm any potential cover and its specific limitations.

Protection Provided by Professional Removals Companies

When engaging a professional removals company, cover for goods in transit is usually included or offered as an additional service. There are generally two main types of valuation protection offered by professional movers:

• Released Value Protection: This is the most basic level of cover, often provided at no extra cost. It limits the mover's liability to a set amount per kilogram of goods. This figure is typically very low and unlikely to cover the full replacement cost of most items.
• Full Value Protection: This is a more comprehensive option, often available at an additional cost. Under this cover, the removals company is liable for the full replacement cost of any lost or damaged items, or for repairing them to their original condition. Specific terms and conditions, including deductibles and exclusions, will apply.

It is essential for customers to understand the specific terms, limits, and excess amounts of any protection offered by a removals company before signing a contract. A professional mover should be able to provide clear documentation regarding their liability and insurance offerings. For industry professionals, understanding what insurance a man and van needs is vital for compliance and customer confidence.

Self-Moves and Uninsured Services

If a household is undertaking a DIY move, or using a man and van service that does not offer adequate goods in transit insurance, there is a significant risk. In these scenarios, any loss or damage to possessions during the move would typically fall to the individual.

Some independent insurers do offer standalone "removals insurance" or "transit insurance" policies that can cover a self-move or supplement the basic cover from a removals company. These policies provide protection against risks such as accidental damage, theft, or loss during the moving process. It is advisable to compare options carefully.

Items in Storage

Should any items be placed into temporary storage as part of the move, it is important to check if they are covered. Standard home insurance policies rarely cover items in a storage facility. Most reputable storage providers will either require proof of insurance or offer their own insurance policy. It is worth investigating if storage insurance is mandatory for the chosen facility.

Key Actions Before Moving Day

• Review Existing Policies: Contact the home insurance provider to clarify coverage for items in transit or storage.
• Enquire with Movers: Ask the removals company about their liability and insurance options, requesting written details.
• Declare Valuables: Inform the removals company of any particularly valuable or fragile items. Specific packing requirements or additional cover might apply to these.
• Consider Additional Cover: If the existing cover or the mover's protection is insufficient, research independent transit insurance policies.
• Document Everything: Take photographs or videos of items, especially high-value goods, before they are packed and loaded. Create an inventory. This can be invaluable if a claim needs to be made.
• Understand Exclusions: Be aware that items packed by the customer (owner-packed goods) often have limited cover from removals companies compared to items professionally packed by the movers.