Removalist insurance in plain words: what covers what

Public liability: damage to other people and property

Public liability insurance covers a business for injury to other people, or damage to their property, caused while it is doing its work. On a moving day that might be a gouge in a common-area wall in an apartment building, damage to a neighbour’s fence or car, or someone hurt by the work. It protects third parties and the removalist. It is not, by itself, insurance for the furniture and boxes on the truck.

Moveall holds $20 million public liability cover.

Transit insurance: your belongings on the move

Transit insurance covers your own belongings while they are being moved: loaded, carried on the truck and unloaded. This is the cover most people mean when they ask whether their things are insured, and it is often not included automatically. Removalists handle it in different ways: some include a level of cover, some sell it, and some leave it to you to arrange.

Under Moveall’s terms and conditions, your goods are not insured in transit unless cover is arranged, and Moveall can put you in touch with its preferred insurer. Ask us about transit insurance for your belongings before you book, so it is in place before moving day.

Your home and contents policy

Some home and contents policies cover belongings during a move, some offer it as an extra, and some exclude it or only cover certain events. Ring your insurer before moving day and ask three things: whether your contents are covered while a removalist moves them, what events are covered, and whether the cover moves to the new address automatically or needs updating. Update the address on the policy either way.

Keep a record of what you own

Whatever cover you arrange, a record of what you own makes any claim simpler. Before moving day, take photos of good furniture, artwork and electronics, noting their condition, and keep receipts or valuations for anything expensive in your own bag. The inventory from your quote is a useful list to start from.

Questions to ask any removalist

1. What public liability cover do you hold? Ask for the amount.
2. Are my belongings insured while you move them? If yes, by whom, for what events and up to what value. If no, how can I arrange it?
3. Is any of this in writing? It should be in the quote or the terms.
4. What do I need to do if something is damaged? How, and how quickly, to report it.

Be wary of a removalist who says you are covered but cannot say how. Our page on choosing a moving company Adelaide residents can trust has more questions worth asking before you book.

Cover is not a substitute for care

The best claim is the one you never make. Most damage in a move comes from poor wrapping, overloaded or half-empty boxes, and furniture that was not emptied. Furniture wrapped and blanketed before it moves, floors and doorways protected, and a truck loaded with heavy pieces low and the load tied off prevent far more damage than any policy repays. How we protect each kind of furniture is on our page for the professional movers Adelaide homes need for good furniture.

Keep valuables with you

Whatever cover you have, some things should not go on the truck at all: cash, jewellery, passports and important documents, medicines, keys and anything irreplaceable. Carry them yourself. Flammable and dangerous goods such as gas bottles, fuel and pool chemicals should not go on the truck either.

Your rights under consumer law

Separately from any insurance, Australian Consumer Law says a service must be provided with due care and skill. If something goes wrong, note it on the day, take photos, and tell the removalist in writing as soon as you can.

Questions people ask