Just as your personal belongings are insured by your home insurance, you need to make sure that they are insured during transit, by removals insurance. Always check with your removal company as they may offer this. Alternatively, contact your home insurance and discuss your move with them. A standard household should be covered on a removals insurance policy, but if you have valuable items such as paintings, jewellery, wine or clocks, then check your policy, as these may require specific insurance for your move. You want to be sure that your belongings are protected should any accidents happen. Professional removal companies are extremely careful but occasionally items get broken, and there is always the potential for crashes or disasters to occur during your move. So, ensuring that your belongings are fully insured, will give you the peace of mind that your possessions are protected.
What Does Removals Insurance Cover?
Always be very clear with insurance companies, so that you know exactly what is covered. High-value items may not be covered and may require a separate policy. Also, check exactly what is covered. You need your goods protected from the moment that they start to be packed or moved until they are safely in your new home. Goods in transit insurance covers your goods while they are being moved, and most reputable movers will offer this. Accidental damage should be included on your home insurance and will cover accidents that can occur in the home. For example, while your belongings are being packed, however, if your removal company is packing your home, double-check that your household insurance covers this.
Types of Insurance to Consider When Moving
Contents Insurance – standard household contents insurance may cover your belongings during your move, but check the small print as not all policies do. It is commonly referred to as ‘contents in transit’ and allows contents to be temporarily removed from the home. However, it may have a cap on the insurance, so always check that it is sufficient for your needs.
Additional Insurance Options – if you are storing your items, you may require specific storage insurance, or if you are moving overseas you may need international removals insurance. If you have high-value items they may need additional insurance. Always be very clear with what you require and read the small print thoroughly.
Understanding Limited Liability and Other Terms
There are different terms related to insurance, and you must check exactly what is meant by these terms. Generally, the terms offered are “Limited Liability,” “Extended Liability,” and “Standard Liability”. Limited will mean that there is a limit on the cover, extended will be used for more valuable items, and standard should be sufficient to cover an average household. However, always check the exact financial limits these terms apply to.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing Removals Insurance
Assessing the Value of Your Belongings – make a list of all the items in your house, then for each one find out what it would cost to replace it. Bear in mind it is today’s replacement cost, not how much you paid for it 10 years ago.
Checking Existing Policies – check existing home or contents insurance to see if you are currently covered for moving house.
Choosing Additional Coverage – decide whether you need extra coverage, and speak to relevant people to ensure that this coverage is in place in good time.
Cost of Removals Insurance
In general, one would expect removals insurance to cost 10% of the total cost of moving house. If your moving cost is £2000, then you would expect to pay £200 for removal insurance. However, always look for ways to try and save money. Start by checking what is included in your current home insurance policy, as you may find that you are already covered. If you do need cover, speak to your current insurance company as they may be able to add it to your existing cover, and also to your moving company, as they will offer this service. Be very clear about the value of your belongings, and the type of move as this will affect the premium.
Is Removal Insurance Worth the Cost?
Accidents happen, and removals insurance gives you peace of mind, should the worse happen. Moving house is expensive in itself, so you don’t want to move into your new house, only to find that all your possessions have been destroyed and are not covered by your insurance.
Common Misconceptions About Removals Insurance
Insurance can be complicated, so always be very clear about the extent of your cover. Removal companies will have insurance, which covers them to operate, however, this does not automatically mean that all of their customers’ possessions are covered. It is your responsibility to read the small print, and always check the exact limitations of the cover.
Making a Claim: What You Need to Know
If you need to file a claim, always check the timeline for filing, as this can be quite short. Always clarify the exact requirements for the claim, including any paperwork that you may need to produce. In general, your claim will be processed smoothly, however, sometimes matters can become complicated. If you are not happy with the action taken by your moving or insurance company you can refer your complaint to the relevant ombudsman.
Tips for Selecting a Removal Company and Their Insurance Policies
Always ask removal companies what cover and services they offer. Be very clear about the limitations of their cover, and the value of key items. A good removal company will always have a transparent conversation with you and will make sure that you understand exactly what is covered and not covered. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Make sure you choose a removal company that you can trust. Moving home is very stressful, don’t add to that stress, by worrying about your removals insurance.
Comparing Quotes and Finding the Best Deal
When you are choosing a removal company for your forthcoming move always obtain a few quotes. Always ask for the quote to be broken down so that you can see exactly what is included. One company may be cheaper, but not include moving insurance, whilst another may include more but be more expensive. However, bear in mind that moving house is stressful, and you need to deal with a reliable professional company that will work with you and give you excellent service. This may not be the cheapest company, so be wary of any quote that is vastly cheaper than the others, as this cost-saving may be a false economy.
Additional Considerations
Always be very clear about the extent of your removals insurance. If you need coverage for valuable belongings or unique items you will need to obtain this. Always calculate the value of your belongings correctly to make sure that you are covered should the worst happen during your move.
Choose Excalibur Removals for a Professional Service
If you are looking for a professional removals company, look no further. Excalibur Removals are here to provide a professional, flexible and personal removal service for you. To discuss your forthcoming move with us, simply contact us today.