There’s a special feeling that comes along with packing all of your things into a moving truck and waving good-bye as the movers pull out of your driveway. A sense of excitement to be opening a new chapter of your life is definitely part of it, but you may also be feeling a sense of dread or anxiety – will you really ever see your stuff again? What shape will it be in when you see it next?
This is where Valuation Coverage comes in. Many consumers call it “insurance” but it is differrent. You can purchase valuation Coverage to help you sleep a little better at night. Remember, accidents do happen – even to the most reliable and reputable moving companies and careful people.
Below we’ve put together a quick outline to what you need to know about Valuation Coverage. Although this may drastically change depending on your move and where you’re moving from and to.
By law, all moving companies are required to offer valution coverage and some valution coverage may be included in your move.
Obviously, your things are worth a lot to you and some coverage may be at 60 or even 10 cents per pound and if you choose to keep it at that rate, you will not be happy when something expensive is broken. That’s where the full-value protection comes in. Check to see if this option is available and see if the protection justifies the cost.
Additional Moving Coverage
Depending on how much risk you like to take, you may decide to increase your valuation coverage. You don’t have to go with just the basic plans. Ask the moving company you’re dealing with if they offer valuation options. Obviously moving companies don’t sell moving insurance, but they may offer additional protection in case your things are lost or damaged.
Just remember, if the moving company needs to replace an item, they will do so with like-kind items. So, if you have a three-year old washing machine that was lost or damaged, they will replace it with a similar machine. You may want to ask the moving company if they offer a lump sum value, which may come in handy in case you have quite a few valuable items that just don’t weigh a lot.
Other Options
If you are a homeowner, you might already have a certain level of coverage through your homeowner’s policy. The extent of that coverage will vary among insurance providers and policies, so check before you actually move. Though most policies only cover your belongings while they are in your house, some will cover items that are outside of your home temporarily – usually up to about 10%.
Jon Huser
