For most people, moving house is a stressful experience. There is so much to do and usually not enough time to do everything before the removal van arrives.
In this situation, it is easy to overlook important details – like the need to insure your belongings while they are in transit from your existing home to your new home.
Existing cover
If you already have a household contents insurance policy, you should be able to add the cover for protecting your belongings while in transit. Some insurers only require details of the date of the move and the new address and don’t charge extra for this cover. Other insurers may charge an additional once-off fee for including household goods in transit cover in your standard policy.
If your household contents are not already insured, there are other insurance options you can consider. However, make a note to at least consider taking out household contents cover once you settle in your new home. This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive and will give you peace of mind in the event of possible future disasters, such as fire or theft.
Before the move
Moving house is a good opportunity to get rid of all the items you no longer need or want. Do this before you move – don’t take the clutter with you. Remember that the more items there are to be moved, the higher their moving cost.
To make sure that your household contents remain covered throughout your move:
Make a list of all the items to be moved.
Notify your insurer of any changes, so that your insurance premiums will accurately reflect the value of the contents.
Other options
If you are employing professional movers for your move, the quote from the removal company will almost certainly contain a charge for cover for goods in transit.
This cover is not always included, particularly with smaller removal companies. It is also usually more expensive than cover that is part of a standard household contents policy.
Before choosing an option, you need to compare costs, specific details of the cover offered, and benefits.
If family and friends are helping you to move to save costs, keep in mind that insurers usually only cover loss or damage to your household goods in the case of vehicle collisions.
Claims
When you unpack, take note of any damages caused by the movers. Make sure you submit any claims for damages before the deadline stipulated in the policy.
Whichever option you choose, make sure the household contents in transit are insured at the correct value. You want to be able to replace all your goods being transported if anything does go wrong. If you are under-insured your insurer will only admit part of the claim. If you are over-insured, your premiums will be higher than they should.
