Does Home Insurance Coverage Include Loss or Damage to Property While Moving?

Moving can be an exciting but stressful time, and protecting your personal belongings during the process is a common concern. With all the packing, transporting, and unpacking, there's always a risk of your items getting lost or damaged. Let's dive into the details of whether home insurance coverage includes property damage or loss while moving.

What Does Home Insurance Typically Cover?

Homeowners insurance primarily protects your home and personal belongings from unexpected events like theft, fire, and certain natural disasters. It's designed to cover loss or damage to your personal property, whether it's inside your home or temporarily outside of it, like in your car or storage unit. However, when it comes to moving, there are specific limitations and exclusions. Most home insurance policies provide some coverage for personal belongings while they are in transit, but this coverage might be more limited than you expect.

Coverage for Damage While Moving

Here's a closer look at what you might expect:

• Partial Coverage: Home insurance may offer partial coverage for your personal property while it's being transported. However, this coverage is usually limited to specific perils like theft or damage from a covered disaster (such as fire or vandalism) during the move. If your items are simply damaged due to poor handling or improper packing, the insurance may not cover the cost of repair or replacement.
• Coverage Limits: Most home insurance policies have a limit on how much they will pay for damaged or lost items during a move. This limit is typically a percentage of your total personal property coverage. For instance, if you have $100,000 worth of personal property coverage, you might only be covered for up to $10,000 of loss or damage while your items are in transit.

Coverage for Loss While Moving

If your belongings are stolen while you're moving, your homeowners insurance might provide some protection, but again, the coverage is likely to be limited. It's important to note that while homeowners insurance can cover theft during a move, it may not include mysterious disappearances. For example, if an item goes missing during the move but there is no evidence of theft, your insurer might deny the claim.

Supplementing Your Coverage

Given the limited nature of home insurance during a move, you might want to consider additional protection options:

• Moving Insurance: Many moving companies offer moving insurance that specifically covers damage or loss to your belongings while they are handling them. These policies often provide better protection than what is included in your homeowners policy.
• Inland Marine Coverage: This specialized policy can be added to your homeowners insurance to provide additional coverage for valuable items during a move, such as jewelry, electronics, or artwork.

How to Protect Your Belongings During a Move

To minimize the risks associated with moving and maximize your protection, here are a few tips:

1. Careful Packing: Properly pack your belongings with sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and other protective materials.

2. Keep Valuables with You: If possible, keep high-value items like jewelry, important documents, or electronics with you during the move.

3. Inventory Your Belongings: Make a list of all the items you're moving and take photos for documentation. This will be useful when you need to file a claim.

Move Stress-Free with Our Comprehensive Home Insurance Coverage

Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about your belongings. At Fuller Insurance Agency, we're here to help you understand your home insurance coverage and ensure you have the protection you need. Whether you're moving across town or the country, contact us today to learn how we can assist you in safeguarding your property every step of the way. Call us at (800) 640-4238 for a quick consultation.