Home › Moving Insurance
Moving Insurance: What It Covers, What It Costs, and When to Buy It
The default coverage movers offer pays $0.60 per pound -- less than $30 for a 50-pound $800 TV. Full-value protection costs more but actually covers losses. Here is what every option means.
The Three Types of Moving Coverage
Released Value Protection
Included50 lb TV worth $800: you receive $30
Free (legally required)
$0.60 per pound per item
Every interstate mover must offer this at no charge. It is not insurance -- it is a liability limitation. The mover is only responsible for $0.60 per pound of any item lost or damaged, regardless of the item's actual value. This covers almost nothing of real value.
Verdict: Acceptable only if you are moving low-value items or have better coverage elsewhere.
Full-Value Protection
Recommended$20,000 shipment: costs $200-$400
1-2% of declared shipment value
Repair, replace, or pay market value
Full-value protection (also called full-replacement coverage) requires the mover to either repair the damaged item to its original condition, replace it with a similar item, or pay you the current market replacement value. This is the only meaningful coverage offered by movers directly.
Verdict: Buy this for moves with furniture and electronics worth over $10,000.
Third-Party Moving Insurance
Optional$20,000 shipment: costs $200-$600
$1-$3 per $100 of value
Replacement value, per your policy terms
Independent insurance companies (Moveinsurance.com, Baker International, Foremost) offer standalone moving insurance. Policies typically cover replacement value with lower deductibles than mover full-value protection, and they are not subject to mover-friendly arbitration clauses. Good for high-value items the mover's full-value policy would dispute.
Verdict: Consider for antiques, artwork, jewelry, and instruments that movers often exclude.
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
Check firstDepends on your specific policy deductible
Possibly free (check your policy)
Varies widely by policy
Many homeowners policies cover personal property in transit under off-premises coverage. However, coverage is often at actual cash value (depreciated), not replacement value, and subject to your standard deductible. Some policies specifically exclude moves. Call your insurer before the move.
Verdict: Worth checking before buying additional coverage. If your deductible is $1,000 and your items are worth $8,000, this may be the right backstop.
What Mover Coverage Almost Never Covers
Jewelry and watches
Most mover policies exclude jewelry entirely. Keep these with you, not on the truck.
Cash and financial documents
Movers explicitly exclude currency, securities, deeds. Take these with you.
Items of extraordinary value
Artwork, antiques, collectibles over $100/lb must be declared in advance or they default to $0.60/lb.
Plants
Most movers will not insure plants. They are excluded from all liability.
Perishables and food
Not covered by any mover policy. Ship in your own vehicle or discard.
Items you packed yourself
Full-value protection often excludes damage to items in boxes you packed yourself unless there is visible structural damage to the box.
Coverage for DIY Truck Rentals and Container Moves
Rental Truck (U-Haul, Penske, Budget)
Rental trucks offer coverage for the truck itself (SafeMove / Cargo Protection) but this covers the truck, not your belongings. Your homeowners or renters insurance may cover items in the truck if it includes off-premises personal property coverage.
- U-Haul Cargo Protection: $0.60/lb per item (essentially released value)
- Penske Cargo: Similar per-pound limits
- Best option: Buy third-party moving insurance from Baker International or Moveinsurance.com before the move
Container Move (PODS, U-Pack)
Container companies are considered carriers and offer the same released value / full-value coverage structure as full-service movers, but only while the container is in transit. Coverage may not apply while the container is in storage at your location.
- PODS Contents Protection: Up to $10,000 or $25,000 options
- U-Pack: No cargo insurance sold directly -- use third-party
- Note: Items damaged by improper packing are typically excluded
What to Buy Based on What You Are Moving
| Situation | Recommended Coverage |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment, IKEA furniture, no electronics over $500 | Released value only. Low-value items are not worth insuring at 1-2%. |
| 1-2BR with a $1,500+ TV, laptop, other electronics | Full-value protection from the mover. Cost: $150-$300. Worth it. |
| Antiques, artwork, instruments, jewelry | Third-party specialist insurance. Movers will dispute or exclude these. |
| Full-service move, $30,000+ household | Full-value protection + check your homeowners policy for overlap. |
| DIY truck rental, no mover involved | Homeowners/renters policy (confirm it covers transit) or third-party. |
| Container move (PODS, U-Pack) | PODS Contents Protection OR third-party. U-Pack: third-party only. |