Moving Insurance

Moving Insurance covers loss or damage to your goods while they are packed, moved, transported or stored. In South Africa, cover can come from your household contents policy, from a policy the removal company arranges, or both. Terms vary by provider and policy, so read them before moving day. This website does not sell or arrange insurance.

Where Cover Comes From

Santam notes that some household policies do not cover moves at all, others cover them only when a professional remover is used, and transit cover is often limited to theft or vehicle accidents.

Liability Is Not the Same as Insurance

A removal company's terms may place the risk on you and limit what they will pay. One published set of South African removal terms, for example, states that the risk of loss remains with the customer, excludes items the company did not pack, fragile items and valuables, and requires claims within 7 days of delivery. Other companies' terms differ, so read the ones you are signing.

Questions to Ask

Transit cover

• Is insurance included in the price, optional or not offered?
• Who is the insurer, and is the policy sold by an authorised financial services provider?
• Does it cover all risks, or only fire, collision and theft?
• Does it cover storage and loading and offloading?

Exclusions

• Are owner-packed boxes covered, or only damage to the outside of the box?
• Are glass, mirrors, marble, electronics or antiques excluded?
• Are pre-existing damage, wear and mechanical breakdown excluded?
• Are cash, jewellery, documents and data excluded?

Excess and declared value

• What excess applies per claim or per item?
• Is cover based on replacement value or market value?
• Do I need to declare a value per item, and are high-value items listed separately?
• Is there a limit per item or per box?

Claims

• How soon must damage or loss be reported, and in what format?
• Do I need to note damage on the delivery document?
• Who assesses the claim, and is repair or replacement offered?
• How long does settlement usually take?

Owner-Packed Goods

Many policies and removal terms limit cover for boxes you pack yourself, because the packing cannot be checked. Santam notes that glassware, mirrors and china may not be covered for transit damage unless professionally packed. If cover matters for fragile items, consider professional packing for those.

Before the Move

• Make an inventory with photos, especially of valuable and fragile items.
• Tell your household insurer the move date and new address and security details.
• Get the removal company's terms and any policy wording in writing before you pay.
• Move cash, jewellery, documents and laptops yourself.

At Delivery

• Check items against the inventory as they come off the truck.
• Note visible damage on the delivery document before signing.
• Photograph damage and keep packaging.
• Notify the company and insurer in writing within the stated period.

Compare removal companies through Furniture Movers South Africa, or see every service under Furniture Removals South Africa. The fine art and antique removals page covers declared values for valuable pieces.

Moving Insurance FAQs

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