Myths and Facts about
Moving Coverage and Insurance

MOVING HOUSEHOLD GOODS WITHIN CALIFORNIA

This is simply not true. In reality, licensed moving companies in California as well as in the majority of other US states must provide the valuation coverage of $0.60 per pound per article at no extra charge for every move. This minimum coverage for lost or damaged items is based on 60 cents times the weight of the article. For example, if a 100-pound item (even if it is worth $2,000) gets lost or damaged during a move, a moving company must pay $0.60 x 100 = $60. So, even though you are goods are covered during a move (if you hire licensed movers), the value is not covered up to 100%. Got2Move helps you to replace most people’s wrong perception with our expertise and knowledge. Please invest some time now in reading this article to save more time in the future.

INTERSTATE MOVES

A moving company has to offer two moving quotes: 

1) Including Basic coverage

2) Including Full Value Protection (costs extra)

Instead, they may provide different valuation coverage options. Intrastate moving companies in California must provide a Basic ($0.60 per pound per article) Coverage at no additional charge. Also, moving companies in California may provide either an Actual Cash Value or Full Value Protection coverage options at their own discretion. Any company in the US performing interstate moves must provide their clients an option for Full Value Protection coverage; however, companies moving goods within California don’t have to do so. 

Accidents happen even to the most careful moving companies. In the same way that people get health insurance coverage to safeguard their personal health, this is where third-party insurance or Full Value Protection coverage can help them to feel calm until their goods are safely delivered. We would lie to you if were to say that Got2Move employees have never damaged anything. It is simply impossible to do thousands of moves for more than a decade and have no damages at all. What differs us from other movers is that:
1) we honestly explain to people the details of how moving insurance and valuation coverage work;
2) we take extra steps to improve our flaws if we are at fault.
Tip: when choosing a moving company ask them directly what kind of moving coverage options they offer.

Yes. Please look at different options below: a few of them should allow you to get your goods covered up to the 100% declared value.

As stated before many moving companies do not offer the Full Value Protection valuation coverage option. As a rule, such companies would advertise themselves as ‘fully licensed and insured’ claiming that ‘your goods are all covered.’ Well, yes, they are covered… $0.60 per pound. The difference between us and those moving companies is that here at Got2Move we explain to you what that ‘all covered’ means. Eventually, if you decide that you might need extra coverage for your goods most likely you will be referred to one of the 3 companies (the first two seem to be related):

Movinginsurance.com - read reviews about this company following the link: https://www.bbb.org/us/nj/montclair/profile/insurance-companies/moving-insurance-llc-0221-9003479/customer-reviews

• Relocation Insurance (www.relocationinsurance.com) – read reviews about this company following the link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/moving-insurance-llc-montclair-2
•  

• Baker Moving Insurance (www.bakerintl.com) – read reviews about this company following the link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/baker-international-insurance-agency-corinth

Start by calling your current home insurance provider if you have one. Some renters and homeowners include coverage for moves; in some cases, you will be able to add on moving coverage to your existing policy. If your current provider doesn’t offer insurance for your relocation, several reputable national companies should be able to help you. You may want to call ‘your’ insurance company – the one you may have your vehicle covered with.

Got2Move strongly recommends exploring this option. However, please, be very careful reading terms of agreements. If the shipper chooses a third party to get insurance coverage for his/her goods, it is the shipper’s responsibility to follow the instructions and terms of the agreement provided by the chosen insurance company. In a case, if the insurance company may require the company to handle any items in a specific way, the shipper must contact the company prior to the moving date to check if such requests may be accommodated or not.

This option is required by law to be offered shippers by all moving companies in California. Basic coverage offers only minimal protection at no additional cost. Claims for losses or damages are based on the item’s weight multiplied by $0.60 per pound. In a case of a 200-pound gets damaged or lost, the company will pay 200 lbs x $0.60 per lb = $120.

This option may be obtained from Got2Move. We renew our insurance policies every year; so, it depends if we can offer ACVP or not on many factors.

Typically, this type of coverage ensures recovery at the actual cash value (i.e., the fair market value of your lost or damaged item(s), up to the total value you declare. The maximum declared value is $50,000 per each truckload up to $100,000 per each move/shipper.

ACVP costs extra. Please contact Got2Move to learn the current rates for ACVP.

This option may be obtained from Got2Move.

With this valuation option, if any article is lost, destroyed, or damaged while in the hands of the company’s employees, the company at its own discretion, offers to do one of the following for each item: repair the item, replace with a similar item, make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market replacement value. The maximum declared value is $50,000 per each truckload up to $100,000 per each move/shipper.

FVP costs extra. Please contact Got2Move to learn the current rates for FVP.

ACVP and FVP coverage options can be obtained only after scheduling an on-site estimate with our representative or providing a detailed inventory list including photographs and declared value per each item. The company limits its liability for loss or damage to articles of extraordinary value unless the shipper specifically lists these articles on the shipping documents. An article of extraordinary value is any item whose value exceeds $100 per pound (such as jewelry, silverware, china, furs, antiques). 

Packing has to be done by a moving company’s employees and company materials, in order to get either ACVP or FVP coverage. 

If the shipper needs storage-in-transit service (SIT) up to 90 days including long-distance jobs with a flexible delivery time window, ACVP/FVP will be calculated twice for two different moves (the first one from the pickup location to the company’s storage; the second time for the move from the company’s storage to the delivery location.)

ACVP and FVP can’t be obtained for the goods stored in the company’s storage for more than 90 days.

The company does not provide ACVP and FVP for

1)    particleboard, simulated wood, and press wood furniture;

2)    plants, ceramic pots, and vases;

3)    antique furniture;

4)    furniture disassembled not by the company’s employees;

5)    any scratches and dents to major appliances;

6)    furniture with existing damages;

7)    any electronics packed by the movers unless there are visible damages to the item;

8)    any items packed by the shipper.

The shipper must be present upon pickup/loading and delivery/unloading; otherwise, only Basic coverage can be provided.

Please contact our office for the most current rates and see if we can offer you either ACVP or FVP.

Be on the lookout for shady moving insurance companies that are happy to sell you moving coverage/insurance but will not process your claim. Take your time to read the terms of the agreement and be careful and cautious when choosing a moving company as well:

1. check if the company is licensed;
2. ask what their moving coverage terms are;
3. specifically require a moving quote to be emailed to you asap including the description of any potential extra charges.

Here at Got2Move, we try to be very reasonable at each and every step of working with our customers.