Insurance & Claims FAQs

Released value is the free, minimum coverage movers are required to offer. It pays $0.60 per pound per damaged item - not per pound of the total shipment. A 50-pound TV worth $1,000 would only pay out $30 under released value.

Full value protection (FVP) makes the mover liable for the current replacement value of damaged or lost items. The mover can repair, replace, or pay cash value. It typically costs $300 to $800 for a $50,000 declared value with a $250 to $500 deductible.

Consider it if your belongings are worth more than $50,000 or you have items of high sentimental value. Third-party policies cost $100 to $500 and often provide broader coverage than full value protection, including coverage for owner-packed boxes.

Note damage on the delivery receipt before signing. File a written claim within 9 months (interstate moves). Include photos, item descriptions, values, and repair estimates. The mover has 30 days to acknowledge and 120 days to offer a settlement.

You have 9 months from the delivery date to file a written claim. The mover must acknowledge within 30 days and offer a settlement within 120 days. If they miss these deadlines, file a complaint with the FMCSA.

Some policies cover personal property "in transit" but many exclude professional moving services. Call your insurer and ask specifically about coverage during a move. If covered, your policy may serve as supplemental or primary protection alongside the mover's valuation.

Movers typically exclude liability for: items of extraordinary value not declared on the high-value form, owner-packed boxes (contents only), perishables, plants, cash, jewelry left in furniture, and damage caused by acts of God (floods, earthquakes).

Take photos and video of every room, open every drawer and closet. Photograph serial numbers on electronics. Keep receipts for high-value items. Create a spreadsheet of valuable items with descriptions and values. Store documentation in the cloud.

An Act of God clause limits the mover's liability for damage caused by unforeseeable natural events like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, or tornadoes. If your belongings are damaged by a natural disaster during transport, the mover may not be responsible.

Full value protection typically costs 1% to 1.5% of the declared shipment value. For a declared value of $50,000, expect to pay $500 to $750. Choosing a higher deductible ($250 to $500) lowers the premium.