Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Moving Damage?

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Andrew Lee is insurance content writer and editor for BudgetMethod.com. Andrew holds a Bachelor's degree from Ryerson University and has extensive experience of writing content for financial websites. His expertise is especially strong in home and auto insurance.

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If you are in the process of moving, you may be wondering if your homeowners insurance policy will cover any damage that is done to your belongings. The answer to this question depends on a few factors. In this blog post, we will discuss what homeowners insurance covers when it comes to moving damage and how to file a claim if something does happen. Stay safe during your move and good luck!

Moving Damage and Home Insurance

Your home insurance policy will most likely cover any damage that is done to your belongings while they are in transit. This is based on the perils that are listed in your policy. Most policies will cover damage from fire, wind, hail, and theft. If you have any questions about what is covered in your policy, you should contact your insurance agent.

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The Exclusions

However, there are some restrictions. For example, if you are moving a lot of expensive items or valuable items, you may want to purchase additional coverage just to be safe. If something does happen and your belongings are damaged, you will need to have a list of everything that was damaged or lost.

This is where taking an inventory of your belongings before you move comes in handy. You should also take photos or videos of your belongings so that you have documentation of their condition before the move.

Examples

Likely covered:

  • Your home catches on fire while your belongings are being packed into the truck
  • A severe storm hits and a tree falls on the truck, damaging some of your belongings
  • Your belongings are stolen from the truck while it is parked overnight

Unlikely to cover:

  • You drop and break a vase while packing it into the box
  • The movers damage your furniture while loading it onto the truck

Filing a Claim

If you do experience any damage to your belongings during your move, you will need to file a claim with your homeowners insurance company. To do this, you will need to gather all of your documentation, including your inventory list, photos or videos of your belongings, and any receipts for items that were damaged or lost.

You will also need to file a police report if your belongings were stolen. Once you have everything gathered, you can contact your insurance company to start the claims process.

If you have any questions about whether or not your homeowners insurance will cover damage during your move, be sure to contact your insurance agent. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action and help you get the coverage you need. Safe moving!

Additional Coverage

If you are worried about your belongings being damaged during your move, or if you just have a lot of high-value items in general, you can always purchase additional coverage from your homeowners insurance company. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are protected. You can also talk to your moving company about their insurance options and see if they offer any protection for your belongings.

Tips to Prevent Moving Damage

There are a few things you can do to help prevent damage to your belongings during your move. First, be sure to pack everything securely and use the proper materials. This will help to protect your items from being damaged in transit.

You should also take an inventory of all of your belongings before you move. This way, if anything does happen, you will have a list of everything that was damaged or lost. Be sure to take photos or videos of your belongings as well, so that you have documentation of their condition before the move.

Finally, be sure to choose a reputable moving company that has insurance in case of any damage to your belongings. This will give you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are protected.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide how much protection you need for your belongings during your move. If you have a lot of valuable items, it may be worth it to purchase additional coverage.

But if you are not as worried about damage, then your homeowners insurance policy should cover most eventualities. Be sure to do your research and ask plenty of questions so that you are fully prepared for your move.

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Andrew Lee is insurance content writer and editor for BudgetMethod.com. Andrew holds a Bachelor's degree from Ryerson University and has extensive experience of writing content for financial websites. His expertise is especially strong in home and auto insurance.