Moving insurance: what does it cover and what doesn't it?
Which insurances play a role when moving?
In a move several insurances come together, and it pays to know where your protection begins and ends. Your contents insurance protects your belongings at your home against fire, theft and water damage, but during transport from one address to another, coverage is often limited or excluded. Many contents policies include an overlap period during which both the old and the new address are temporarily covered, but the exact conditions vary by insurer. Read them through or call your insurer before you move, so you know what gaps may exist. Additionally, every professional mover carries its own liability insurance for damage caused by its team during the move. The scope and conditions of that cover depend heavily on the general terms the company works under, and that's where the biggest difference between moving companies sits. Finally, most serious movers offer additional or all-risk cover as an option. For those moving valuable or irreplaceable items it can be worth the cost. It's wise to call your insurer before the move, and to compare quotes from movers specifically on what their cover includes, not just on the bottom-line price.
The right questions for your mover
The most important first step with moving insurance is asking your mover the right questions. Movers' general terms differ, some companies use standard terms drawn up specifically for consumer moves, others use terms borrowed from general goods transport, and yet others have their own house terms. During the quote conversation explicitly ask which general terms apply, and ask to receive them on paper or by email before you sign. Read them yourself for the aspects that matter to you: what is the company's basic liability for damage, what deductible applies, how is damage reported and handled, and within what deadline. Also ask concrete questions about your own situation: are there items falling outside the standard cover, and if so, which? What does additional insurance cover? How is the value of damage determined, by replacement value, current value or another criterion? A good mover answers these questions openly and clearly; a company that reacts evasively or says "we'll sort that out" is not a safe choice for a move with valuable contents. Alongside the base cover, many movers offer additional or all-risk insurance as an option. For most households with ordinary family contents the standard cover is sufficient; for those moving valuable, fragile or emotionally irreplaceable items, antiques, art, an instrument, old family pieces, the extension is a sensible consideration.
What is usually not covered?
Even with comprehensive moving insurance there are exclusions, and it pays to know them in advance. A common one: damage to items you packed yourself often falls outside the standard cover. The reasoning is that the mover cannot judge whether you protected the items correctly for transport. This is an important reason to have fragile and valuable items packed by the mover, or at least to photograph how you packed them so you can later show it was done carefully. Other standard exclusions you'll see nearly everywhere: ordinary wear and pre-existing damage to furniture, damage from extreme weather such as flooding or severe storms, damage to living plants and animals, and so-called consequential loss, for example the cost of not being able to move on time. Cash, jewellery, passports, ID cards and other valuables are almost never covered by moving insurance; you always transport these yourself in your own car or bag. For international moves additional exclusions often apply, particularly around customs inspections where sealed boxes may be opened, damage arising there usually falls outside the mover's liability. Read the policy conditions in full and ask for clarification when in doubt. It's always better to have clarity beforehand than to discover during a claim that an important item is not covered.
What to do in case of damage?
However well prepared a move is, damage can occur. What you do then largely determines whether your claim succeeds. On arrival check all items immediately for visible damage, open boxes while the team is still there and report visible damage straight away. Document each case with photos from several angles and a short written description. Have the team leader confirm the damage on the delivery form; that's your most important piece of evidence. For hidden damage discovered later, most policies require notification within a short window, the sooner you report, the stronger your position. The exact deadline is in your policy or in the mover's general terms. Keep both the damaged item and the packaging material: the insurer or the mover may request inspection, and evidence thrown away can void a claim immediately. Then submit your claim in writing with all documentation: before-and-after photos if you have them, the inventory list, the signed delivery form and any purchase receipts or appraisal reports of valuable items. A professional mover handles claims within a reasonable timeframe, usually set out in the general terms. If you can't resolve it with the company directly, you can turn to the Juridisch Loket for free legal advice or engage a lawyer; some movers operate under terms that include a separate dispute scheme, so check your mover's general terms.
Tips for maximum protection
The best protection is a combination of good preparation and the right insurance. Before the move, make a clear inventory of your main belongings. Photograph valuable or fragile items from several angles, especially antiques, electronics, paintings and pieces with sentimental value. This documentation is your evidence if something later turns out to be wrong. Have the mover pack the most fragile and costly items rather than doing it yourself, that changes what falls under the standard cover and gives you a stronger position with any damage. At several movers, ask specifically how their insurance is set up, under which general terms they operate, and what any additional cover includes. Compare not just on premium height but on what is actually covered and where you can turn in a dispute. Keep purchase receipts, warranties and appraisal reports of costly items both digitally and on paper, in case of loss or damage this is the basis of your claim. Irreplaceable pieces, family photos, old documents, jewellery, rare objects, always transport yourself, separately from the mover. Check that your contents insurance is updated to your new address in time, so you are properly insured there from moving day. And finally: choose a mover that communicates openly and transparently about insurance and liability. A company that explains coverage, deductibles and dispute resolution clearly during the quote conversation is, by that very fact, signalling professionalism.
About Vermaat Verhuizingen
Vermaat Verhuizingen relocates private clients and businesses across the Netherlands. Our articles are written from practical knowledge of the moving trade, from narrow Amsterdam staircases to international moves. More about us →
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