topsverseMoving brings worry. Whether you are packing up a small apartment or an entire house, you know something could go wrong. Your grandmother’s china could shatter. Your new television could get crushed. Your laptop could disappear. This is why moving insurance exists – to give you peace of mind when everything you own is loaded onto a truck driven by strangers.
The federal government requires interstate movers to offer two basic protection options, but these might not be enough for your situation. Thankfully, you have choices beyond the bare minimum. From free coverage that comes with every move to specialized policies for expensive artwork, this guide covers ten different ways to protect your belongings during a move.
Most people discover too late that their regular home insurance does not cover moving damage. As Gadi Binness from Relocation Insurance Group explains, most homeowners and renters policies leave you unprotected while your stuff is on the moving truck. If movers drop your dining room table, your home insurance probably will not replace it. Meanwhile, moving companies only have to pay sixty cents per pound for damaged items under federal law. That twenty-pound table worth eight hundred dollars? You would get twelve dollars.
This is why you need to understand your options before moving day arrives. Here are ten different ways to insure your move, from basic coverage to premium protection.
1. Released Value Protection (The Free Option)
Every licensed moving company must provide this coverage at no charge. It pays up to sixty cents per pound for lost or damaged items. Sounds reasonable until you do the math. That fifty-pound flat-screen television worth one thousand dollars would only get you thirty dollars in compensation.
What it costs: Nothing. This coverage comes automatically with your move.
Why people choose it: You do not pay extra, and it provides some protection. If you are moving items with low value relative to their weight, like books or clothes, this might work for you.
The downside: The payout is terrible for most modern belongings. Electronics, artwork, antiques, and furniture get massively undervalued. A ten-pound laptop worth two thousand dollars would only get you six dollars if it breaks. Local moves often pay even less – sometimes just thirty cents per pound.
Best for: People moving on tight budgets who mainly own heavy, inexpensive items. Even if you plan to buy more coverage, this protection kicks in automatically as long as you sign the moving company’s paperwork.
Important note: Movers must explain this coverage in writing. If you turn down better coverage, you must sign a waiver acknowledging these low limits. You typically have nine months after delivery to file a claim.
2. Full Value Protection (Real Coverage That Costs Money)
This is the upgrade option that moving companies must offer for cross-state moves. You pay extra – usually about one percent of your belongings’ total value – and the mover agrees to repair, replace, or reimburse damaged items at current market prices.
What it costs: Roughly one percent of your shipment’s declared value. If your stuff is worth fifty thousand dollars, expect to pay around five hundred dollars for coverage. Movers usually calculate this by weight, often charging around six dollars per pound.
Why people choose it: It actually protects your belongings. If movers break your dining room set, they have to fix it, replace it, or pay you what it is worth today. This coverage handles most risks during transport and gives families real peace of mind.
The downsides: It costs significantly more than free coverage. You might face a deductible, which you can sometimes adjust – higher deductibles lower your premium. Federal rules still let movers cap liability on extremely expensive items (over one hundred dollars per pound) unless you declare them separately in writing.
Best for: Families with valuable belongings, expensive furniture, or anyone moving long distances. Perfect if you want assurance that a major loss will not ruin you financially.
Pro tip: Get a detailed inventory before your move starts. For really valuable pieces like jewelry or art, list them separately to avoid coverage limits. Ask for a written estimate of insurance costs upfront and compare quotes if you are using different moving companies.
3. Homeowners Insurance (Limited Help)
Some homeowners policies extend coverage to belongings outside your home, including items being moved. In theory, your policy could cover major disasters like truck fires or theft, but it usually excludes ordinary moving damage.
What it costs: Nothing extra if your policy already includes off-premises coverage. You simply transfer your policy to your new address on moving day.
Why people consider it: Major catastrophes might be covered. If the moving truck catches fire and destroys everything, your homeowners policy might pay the claim with your full coverage limits.
The reality: Normal moving damage does not get covered. Most policies only cover specific disasters, not everyday mishaps like dropping furniture or water damage from rain. Even if your policy mentions moving coverage, it probably only applies to worst-case scenarios, not the bumps and scrapes that actually happen.
Best for: Backup protection against total loss scenarios. Do not rely on this as your primary moving insurance.
What you need to know: Call your insurance company before moving and get written confirmation about what they will and will not cover during your move. Filing claims on your homeowners policy could raise your rates later.
4. Renters Insurance (Similar Story, Different Policy)
Renters insurance works like homeowners insurance for people who rent their homes. It covers personal property inside and sometimes outside your rental unit, potentially including items during a move.
What it costs: Usually under two hundred dollars per year for thirty to fifty thousand dollars of coverage. If you already have renters insurance, moving coverage might not cost extra.
Why people consider it: Like homeowners insurance, it might cover theft or major disasters affecting your move. Convenient since you are already paying for the policy.
The limitations: Same problem as homeowners insurance – accidental damage from handling usually gets excluded. If movers drop your computer, the policy likely pays nothing. Some policies cover items in temporary storage, but check the fine print.
Best for: Renters making local moves without extremely valuable items. Works as a backup to basic moving company coverage.
Important details: Make sure your renters insurance transfers to your new address and stays active on moving day. Consider adding riders for valuable items like musical instruments or jewelry.
5. Baker International (Traditional Third-Party Insurance)
Baker International has specialized in household goods insurance since 1981. They partner with moving companies nationwide and offer the same basic options as carriers – released value at no cost or full value for a premium.
What it costs: Similar to mover full-value protection, roughly one percent of your belongings’ total value. You must call for quotes – they do not list prices online.
Why people choose Baker: They have been doing this for decades and maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Many moving companies work with Baker, so you can often get coverage through your existing mover.
The drawbacks: Old-school approach means no instant online quotes. Some customers report slow claims processing and customer service that feels outdated. Limited policy customization compared to newer competitors.
Best for: People who want established, reliable coverage and do not mind calling for quotes. Good choice if your moving company already works with Baker and you trust traditional insurance methods.
Getting coverage: Ask your mover for a Baker quote when booking your move. Have your inventory value ready and remember that basic Baker coverage is still just sixty cents per pound.
6. UNIRISC (For Complex and International Moves)
Founded in 1972, UNIRISC focuses on corporate relocations and international moves. They offer comprehensive coverage including protection against natural disasters, war, and specialized coverage for art and electronics.
What it costs: Custom pricing based on your shipment’s weight or declared value. Expect to work with a specialist for quotes.
Why people choose UNIRISC: Extremely flexible policies with options for mold, mildew, storage coverage, and “pairs and sets” protection. Excellent for complex international moves or high-value items.
The challenges: No consumer-friendly online quotes. The process works best through corporate relocation departments or professional moving specialists. Individual consumers might find it complicated and potentially expensive for simple moves.
Best for: International moves, corporate relocations, or people transporting valuable art collections. Think of this as premium coverage for wealthy clients or complex situations.
Getting started: Contact them early or work through a relocation coordinator. Be prepared to list valuable items specifically and understand that claims processing takes longer due to the specialized coverage.
7. Relocation Insurance Group (Modern Online Option)
Known by their consumer website MovingInsurance.com, this company pioneered online moving insurance purchases. You can get instant quotes and buy coverage directly without going through your moving company.
What it costs: Typically one to four percent of your shipment’s total value. Their website generates quotes immediately after you enter your move details.
Why people like it: Complete convenience. Buy coverage online, get your certificate by email, and handle everything yourself. They are licensed in all states and cover moves anywhere, including internationally.
The concerns: Mixed customer reviews despite an A+ complaint resolution rating. Some customers report claim delays or denials, with complaints about unclear policy language. Since this is third-party coverage, it only protects items actually handled by movers.
Best for: Do-it-yourself movers and people using moving brokers or containers who want fast, flexible insurance without paperwork hassles.
Using their service: Make sure you enter your correct shipment value when buying coverage. Keep your digital certificate handy and understand that claims require thorough documentation with photos and inventories.
8. Lakeland Insurance Services (For Valuable Collections)
Lakeland specializes in high-value personal property like fine art, antiques, and collectibles. They handle items that standard moving coverage cannot adequately insure.
What it costs: About one to four percent of your declared item values. No online quotes – you submit an item list and work with an agent for custom pricing.
Why collectors choose Lakeland: Expert knowledge of valuable items with coverage from pickup through storage. They understand artwork, heirlooms, and fragile expensive pieces better than general insurers.
The requirements: Takes more time to arrange coverage and may have high minimum shipment values. Smaller moves might not qualify, and some items like jewelry need separate coverage.
Best for: People moving substantial collections of art, antiques, or other appraised items worth thousands of dollars each.
Working with them: Get appraisals for valuable pieces and provide detailed descriptions. Consider professional packing for covered items and always get written quotes before declaring values to your mover.
9. Container Moving Insurance (For PODS and Similar Services)
Portable storage containers have become popular for flexible moving. Companies like PODS typically require insurance coverage for both the container and its contents.
What it costs: PODS charges under six hundred sixty dollars to insure fifty thousand dollars worth of contents, with plans offering hundred-dollar deductibles.
Why container movers need it: Coverage designed specifically for container moves, protecting against theft, accidents, and damage during transport or storage. Avoids using your homeowners policy deductible for moving claims.
The limitations: Usually excludes damage from improper packing or normal shifting inside containers. Since containers travel by truck and bounce around, insurers expect careful packing.
Best for: Do-it-yourself movers using portable storage who have valuable items and need proof of insurance for building management or HOA requirements.
Important considerations: Check requirements when booking your container. Take photos of packed items and use recommended locks, as some claims depend on proving theft occurred.
10. Rental Truck Insurance (For Total DIY Moves)
If you rent a truck to move yourself, rental companies offer insurance at daily rates, typically fifteen to thirty dollars per day for collision and liability coverage.
What it covers: Damage to the rental truck and liability for injuries to other people. Essential protection since regular auto insurance does not cover rental moving trucks.
What it costs: Usually around twenty dollars per day for full vehicle coverage. A week-long move might cost one hundred fifty dollars in truck insurance.
The critical limitation: This coverage almost never insures your belongings inside the truck. If your furniture gets damaged, the rental truck policy will not replace it.
Best for: People driving rental trucks themselves who need to protect against vehicle damage and liability. Not a substitute for protecting your household items.
Making it work: Read the fine print carefully since coverage levels vary. For valuable items, combine truck insurance with one of the household goods policies above.
How These Options Compare
When choosing moving insurance, think about your specific situation. A studio apartment with mostly books and clothes might do fine with basic coverage. A family moving valuable furniture across the country needs full protection.
Basic released value coverage costs nothing but pays almost nothing. Full value protection from movers costs about one percent of your belongings’ value but actually replaces damaged items. Third-party insurers offer more flexibility but require separate paperwork and potentially mixed customer service experiences.
Homeowners and renters insurance might help with major disasters but usually exclude normal moving damage. Specialized companies like Lakeland excel with valuable collections, while modern options like MovingInsurance.com offer convenience for typical families.
Container and rental truck insurance serve specific moving methods but focus on the equipment rather than your belongings.
Conclusion
Start by honestly assessing what you own and what you could afford to lose. If everything you own could be replaced for five thousand dollars, basic coverage might suffice. If you have furniture, electronics, and belongings worth fifty thousand dollars, invest in real protection.
Document everything with photos and inventories before moving day. Understand each policy’s exclusions and deductibles. File claims promptly – you usually have up to nine months from delivery to report problems, but sooner is better.
Moving creates enough stress without worrying about insurance disasters. Choose coverage that lets you sleep well knowing your belongings are protected, then focus on settling into your new home rather than wondering what might go wrong on the road.
The key is matching your coverage to your situation and budget. Whether you choose basic protection or premium coverage, having a plan beats hoping nothing bad happens to your stuff while strangers load it onto trucks and drive it hundreds of miles away.