Reasons to Get Moving Company Insurance

If you are like most people, you will avoid overspending when moving and you will try to cut moving costs whenever possible. Naturally, you’ll cut corners where it’s not necessary to spend extra. But, the truth is that moving house is the occasion on which you must be careful when cutting corners. Never engage in some risky attempts to save money. If you decide to spend less and hire the cheapest mover out there, you’re likely to be engaged with poor customer service.

Or even fraudulent movers who use the cheap prices to trick you into doing business with them. As always, the best thing to do is only deal with a licensed and insured mover. And, make sure your belongings are transported safely and covered in case of any damages. As it turns out, purchasing moving company insurance can give you peace of mind when it comes to your belongings’ safety.

While your movers work very hard to keep damage at bay, accidents do happen due to circumstances beyond our control. Although everyone’s hoping for the best, a lot can go wrong on moving day. Especially without a proper plan in place. No matter how careful you are, unpleasant surprises may sneak in and catch you off guard.

Moving Insurance

As moving puts both your property and your belongings at risk, you may want to research your moving insurance NYC options in order to ensure the best possible protection. If you already have homeowner’s insurance, check with your insurance company what type of coverage your current policy offers. You may be surprised when you find out that your household items won’t be insured while in storage or transit.

If you are uncertain as to whether to get moving company insurance prior to moving, make sure to better understand all available options and to pick one that suits your needs.

Reasons to get moving company insurance

While buying insurance may be the last thing on your mind, it’s certainly worth taking a look at it because moving puts your possessions at risk of damage and theft. Here are only a few reasons why you should get moving company insurance when relocating:

• For a safe move
• For your item’s protection
• Minimizing chances of risks
• To get reimbursed if anything goes downhill
• Avoiding stress when moving last-minute
• To avoid unnecessary costs

Moving company insurance types

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your precious belongings delivered to your new home safe and sound. In order to ensure a smooth transition familiarize yourself with the most common moving insurance solutions. As a matter of fact, each interstate moving company is obliged by federal law to offer the following two options.

Released value protection

Released value protection (basic limited liability protection) is the type of coverage that won’t cost you additional cash. It’s included in the price you’ve agreed to by signing a contract with a chosen moving company. But, as appealing as it may seem, there is one slight detail that may make you think about getting additional moving insurance.

In case of any damage, you will get a reimbursement for only 60 cents per pound. Be it an expensive antique statue or a tiny kitchen item, the fact is that the coverage is far below the real value of your belongings. To make things more clear, let’s say you’re moving a five-pound laptop worth $2000 and it gets damaged while in transit. You will be reimbursed only 60 cents for each pound so you’ll only get about $3 for your precious laptop. So, considering all the risks involved, if you decide to go for this type of insurance, the only thing you can do is to have faith and hope for the best.

In addition to that, if something goes wrong, you should know that this kind of insurance doesn’t allow submitting claims against movers. Also, bear in mind that your movers’ liability policy changes if you pack by yourself. Or, if you pack some of the non-allowable items like food, plants, hazardous items that may endanger the entire shipment. This only makes sense as it protects movers from covering in case a person uses poor packing materials or improper packing strategies.

Full-value protection

Full replacement value insurance is the more comprehensive plan based on the valuation of your belongings. By using this option your mind would be at ease knowing that your shipment is safe against any kind of damage. This especially makes sense if you are moving valuable belongings like heirlooms, antiques, collectibles, etc. During the interstate move, your movers will be responsible for the replacement value of every missing or broken item. If anything goes wrong your movers can either repair the item or replace it with the same one. Also, there is a possibility of a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the actual market value.

When it comes to moving objects of extraordinary value, your movers may limit their liability if those items are not specifically listed on the shipping documents. To sum up, your movers are not obliged to reimburse you for the items whose value exceeds $100 per pound unless they are stated on the shipping document. So, take your time to take an inventory of all valuables you are going to entrust to your moving company.

As you can see, there’s a significant difference between these two options. Which one you are going to choose depends on your budget, type of your belongings, and moving distance. Going for the more economical option may leave you without proper compensation. While everyone’s looking to reduce moving expenses, purchasing a comprehensive moving company insurance plan may be the reassurance you need during hard times.

Filing a claim against movers

Provided that you’ve researched reliable movers in NYC, chances are you will find convenient moving company insurance rates quickly. Aside from reasonable pricing, positive online moving reviews can make or break a deal. Performing a thorough background check on several movers Brooklyn NYC based locally will help you identify trustworthy professionals.

The truth is that accidents on moving day may happen regardless of your movers’ skills and expertise. Here are some basic steps to follow after your belongings reach their new destination:

Double-check

Always inspect your boxes before moving and check if there are any signs of damage. Double-check if you sealed the boxes properly. Also, check if they are sturdy enough so that it won’t break while being transported. Also, pay close attention to the condition of your valuable and fragile items.

Take pictures

Your next important step is to take a photo of each item you’re paying insurance for. You can also make an inventory list and attach pictures in addition to a description of a corresponding item. Provided that you’ve taken photos of your items before the move, you can now use them to prove their condition. It’s much easier to show pictures than expect the insurance company to take you for your word. Also, as soon as you notice any kind of damage, make sure to document it before it’s too late.

Communicate with movers first

Before you go ahead and file a claim, see how your mover responds to the issue. They may be willing and able to solve your issue without much trouble. So, check with your movers if you can solve the issue peacefully so as to save time and money.

File a claim

If your movers fail to provide a satisfactory solution you can proceed with a complaint with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). There is a determined time frame within which your movers should either resolve or deny the claim. You’ll usually have about three months to do so or even longer but it’s better if you react as soon as possible.

Don’t give up

If your formal complaints didn’t end up the way you wanted, your last resort would be to pursue justice at a small claims court. Just make sure to calculate the legal fees that you are going to incur down the road.

Share your experience

Whatever the outcome, make sure to share your moving experience with other people. Go ahead and write a comprehensive moving review online and include details so people could relate to it and find useful information. Sharing your experience with future potential customers can help them find reliable movers easier or save them from dealing with dishonest moving companies. Take a few minutes to write about how your relocation went whether it was good or bad.

If you’re still searching for the best moving company you can trust, check out Dumbo Moving and Storage. We’re at your service so reach out to get a free moving quote.