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Moving home is a stressful and tiring process. Not only does it involve many tasks and activities, but you constantly worry about the safety of your belongings. Many people wonder whether to buy moving insurance or not. Even if you opt for the help of experienced interstate moving companies Denver, accidents can happen. Scrapes on your furniture, dents, cracks, or even water damage can ruin your things. That’s why it is crucial to educate yourself on moving insurance options and ways to protect your belongings during the relocation.
What is moving insurance?
Technically, moving companies can’t sell insurance but they provide valuation coverage. This is a predetermined limit stated in the moving contract. That means that moving companies are not obliged to compensate you for the full value of damaged or lost items. The amount of compensation they offer isn’t related to the actual value of your belongings. There are two different types of valuation:
- Released value protection
- Full value protection
Released value protection
Released value protection is the basic moving insurance that movers offer. It is included in the original cost which means you won’t have to pay extra to obtain it. But, make sure to request moving quotes Denver before hiring a particular company. It is important to underline that this type of insurance is usually set at 60 cents per pound per article. The actual value of your belongings isn’t related to this pre-determined compensation. So, if you have costly equipment, gadgets, or artwork, you will probably receive just a small part of their value in case of any damage.
Full value protection
Full value protection is another type of moving insurance. Unlike released value protection, full value protection guarantees compensation for the current value of your belongings. This type of insurance is not included in the original cost and you have to pay extra to obtain it. However, if the moving company loses or damages your items in transit, they are obliged to replace it or compensate for its current dollar value. The exception is items of extraordinary value. If you own items with a value of more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry or fine china, movers will not provide compensation. In that case, you would have to buy third-party moving insurance.
Third-party moving insurance
As we have already explained, moving companies do not provide insurance for items of extraordinary value. So, if you own these items it would be recommendable to buy additional insurance. Third-party moving insurance is usually priced at 1-2% of the value of your belongings. The first step would be to check the worth of your possessions. Once you do that, research moving companies and check their moving insurance policy. The cost of moving insurance varies by a mover. Make sure to check this information with the moving company you choose.
Do you need moving insurance?
Before you can answer this question, you have to know the value of your belongings. Make a moving inventory list and include all your possessions or at least the majority of them. Once you do that, try to find out the market value of those items. The current value doesn’t have to be the same as when you bought them. It depends on their condition, existing damage, and age factor. Also, think whether you have extremely valuable possessions such as costly artwork, antique furniture, jewelry. Once you check that, in addition to the moving expenses, you can decide on the type of moving insurance you need.
Hiring reliable movers is your best insurance
The safety of your belongings is the number one priority. Nobody can guarantee that your relocation will go without any problems. However, well-trained and experienced movers are your best option. They will handle your possessions with care and make sure they arrive safely to your new home. They already know how to pack, transport, and unload your boxes, as well as navigate the roads. Reliable movers will facilitate and accelerate the process, and save you a lot of time and energy.
In addition, you won’t have to worry about gathering packing supplies. You movers can provide high-quality packing materials or packing services. They are familiar with packing techniques and will make sure things are properly packed, put to boxes, and labeled. Using quality packing supplies and protecting your belongings is extremely important.
If you decide to pack on your own, make sure to start organizing and boxing your belongings well in advance. Packing is the most time-consuming part of the relocation. You don’t have to buy new packing supplies – rent them or ask local stores for them. Also, you can use things you already have to protect your belongings. Instead of cardboard boxes, you can pack items in suitcases and laundry boxes. Use towels and bedsheets to protect things instead of bubble wrap and packing paper. Also, keep in mind that if you pack on your own, the moving company will not be responsible for any damage during transport.
Conclusion
Moving from one home to another involves many activities. The most important part of the relocation is transporting your belongings safely to your new home. You can pack them as carefully as possible, but some things are out of your control. Moving insurance provides protection against damage to your belongings. There are different types of insurance – released value protection and full value protection. It’s necessary to inform yourself in advance on which type of valuation coverage you need. As you know, both types have their limitations. On the other hand, if you decide to pack your own items, the moving company may be released from liability for any damages that occur during transit.