What is Covered Before Moving Day?
When you move house, your belongings get lifted, loaded, driven across town or country, then unloaded again. A lot can go wrong in that process. Your insurance protects you if these mishaps occur.
What is moving insurance?
Moving insurance covers your belongings while they are being transported. It begins when the movers arrive and stops when your things are delivered to your new address. It is different from your home contents policy. Contents insurance covers your belongings inside your home. It does not apply in a truck.
Most NZ moving companies include an Owner's Risk clause in their contract. When you sign that contract, you agree that if your belongings are damaged during the move, the moving company pays nothing unless the damage was intentional. Without your own transit policy, you have no protection if something goes wrong.
Contents insurance vs moving insurance
Your contents policy and a transit policy are two different things. Here is how they compare:
Contents insurance
- Covers items inside your home
- Stops at your front door
- Does not cover moving day accidents
- Does not cover mover damage
Transit insurance
- Built for moves
- Covers loading and unloading
- Covers road accidents and theft
- Some policies cover packing too
Some contents policies do offer limited cover while your items are being moved. Don't assume it's included, call your insurer.
What does transit insurance cover?
Every policy is different but most NZ transit policies include the following:
- Accidental damage during transport
- Damage during loading and unloading
- Loss or damage from road accidents, fire and theft
- Damage from mover mishandling
What is usually not covered
- Damage that was already there before the move
- Wear and tear, mould or mildew
- Food and perishable items
- Jewellery and artwork unless listed separately
- Items you packed yourself
If you packed a box yourself and stuff inside breaks, most NZ insurers will decline the claim. When your moving team packs the box, responsibility shifts to them.
Ensure You're covered.
A lot of moving day stress comes from not knowing what happens if something gets damaged. We take good care of every job. But not everything is in our control.
What We Move covers
Every We Move truck carries full vehicle insurance. We also hold public liability insurance covering third-party property damage up to $500k and $1million.
What that covers
- Damage to fences, driveways or property during your move
- Damage to parked cars or third-party vehicles
What that does not cover
- Your furniture, appliances and personal belongings
- Boxes and packed items
Your belongings need a separate transit policy taken out in your own name.
Declaring the total value of your goods
When you take out transit insurance you need to tell the insurer what your belongings are worth. NZ insurers offer two ways to do this:
Lump sum
You declare one total value for all your belongings. The NZ starting point is $2,500 to $3,500 per cubic metre. Quicker to set up but some items may end up undervalued.
Valued inventory
You list each item and assign it a value. Takes a bit more time but gives you accurate cover for appliances, electronics and furniture.
Either way, jewellery, artwork and antiques need to be listed separately. A general value figure usually won't cover them.
How to arrange transit insurance
We recommend sorting this before moving day. Here is where to start:
- 01.Ring your current contents insurer and ask if your policy includes any transit cover.
- 02.If not, get a standalone transit policy. Vero and NZI are the two main underwriters for moving insurance in New Zealand.
- 03.Book it at least a week before your move. Last minute cover is possible but adds stress you don't need.