Moving Insurance: What Coverage Do You Actually Need?

Moving insurance is the part of a move most people skip past, right up until something arrives broken. The coverage a mover includes for free is far thinner than most people assume, and the words on the paperwork do not mean what they sound like. Getting this right before move day is what decides whether a damaged item is a shrug or a serious loss.

This guide explains the coverage that actually exists, what your home policy does and does not do, and how to choose the right level for your shipment. The rules below apply in every market we serve.

Quick answer: what coverage do you actually need?

Most households need more than the free default. Interstate movers must offer two valuation levels. Released Value Protection is free but pays only $0.60 per pound per item. Full Value Protection makes the mover liable to repair, replace, or pay the market value of what is damaged. For a typical home with electronics, furniture, or anything of real value, Full Value Protection or a separate third-party moving insurance policy is the coverage worth having. Released Value alone rarely covers what a broken item is actually worth.

First, the big misconception: valuation is not insurance

The coverage a moving company includes is not technically insurance. It is called valuation, and it sets the limit of the mover’s legal liability for your goods. Under federal rules (49 CFR Part 375), every interstate mover must offer two valuation levels. You choose one on the bill of lading before the truck loads.

A moving company can only sell you real insurance if it also holds an insurance license. Most do not. What they offer is valuation. True moving insurance is a separate product from a licensed insurer. It works differently, and we cover it below. Keeping these two apart is the most useful thing to understand about protecting a move.

The two coverage levels every interstate mover must offer

Released Value Protection: the free default

Released Value Protection is included at no cost, and it is what applies automatically if you do not choose otherwise. It also offers the least protection. The mover’s liability is capped at $0.60 per pound per article, based on the weight of the item, not its value.

The math is what surprises people. A 25-pound flat-screen TV worth $1,500 is covered for $15. A 200-pound antique dresser worth $3,000 is covered for $120. Most electronics are light and valuable. For those, Released Value pays a fraction of what a replacement costs. It is enough only for a shipment of low-value, easy-to-replace items.

Full Value Protection: the real coverage

Full Value Protection makes the moving company liable for the full value of your shipment. If an item is lost or damaged, the mover must repair it, replace it with a like item, or pay you its current market value. This is the level most households should choose.

Full Value Protection costs extra. The price varies by mover, by the value you declare, and by the deductible you pick. A lower deductible means a higher price. The coverage is based on the weight of your whole shipment, at a federal minimum of $6.00 per pound. A 10,000-pound shipment carries at least $60,000 of coverage. Whatever level you choose, confirm it in writing on the bill of lading. Read that document before you sign it.

Does your homeowners or renters insurance cover the move?

This is where most people are caught out. A homeowners or renters policy usually does cover your belongings in transit, but only against named perils: fire, theft, vandalism, or a vehicle accident. If a thief breaks into the truck, or the truck catches fire, your policy may respond.

What these policies usually do not cover is damage the movers cause. A dropped TV. A scratched table. A box of dishes that arrives broken. That is ordinary moving damage, and standard home and renters policies generally exclude it. Off-premises coverage is also often capped at about 10 percent of your personal-property limit. A larger household can use that up fast.

Two more points worth knowing. Your auto insurance usually does not cover a rented moving truck. If you drive one yourself, take the rental company’s damage waiver. Your coverage can also lapse in the gap between homes. Make sure a policy is in force at both ends and in between. When in doubt, call your agent and ask about property in transit. The Insurance Information Institute has a plain-language rundown of how home and renters policies treat a move.

What about third-party moving insurance?

Third-party moving insurance is the product the law actually calls insurance. You buy it from a licensed insurer that specializes in shipments. It sits on top of whichever valuation level you take with the mover. If something is damaged, the insurer pays you directly, rather than routing everything through the mover’s liability.

It is worth a look in a few cases. When your shipment includes high-value or irreplaceable items. When the mover’s Full Value Protection has a deductible you want to cover. Or when you want a cleaner claims path. Ask any provider for the terms in writing, and be clear on what is covered before you buy.

High-value items have to be declared

There is a trap inside Full Value Protection. Some items count as high value: worth more than $100 per pound. Jewelry, watches, fine art, rare coins, and some instruments qualify. These must be listed on a High-Value Inventory sheet that the mover provides. If you do not declare them, the mover’s liability for those items can drop to the bare minimum. That is true even when the rest of your shipment is under Full Value Protection.

For anything in that category, do two things. Photograph each piece in detail before the move, and note any existing wear. Then consider hand-carrying the small, irreplaceable items yourself instead of loading them on the truck. The risk is not worth the convenience.

So what coverage do you actually need?

Match the coverage to the shipment. A short local move of cheap, easy-to-replace furniture may be fine on Released Value Protection. Most moves are not that. A household with electronics and real furniture, a long-distance haul, or a shipment with valuable items calls for Full Value Protection at a minimum. High-value pieces often need a third-party policy on top.

Long-distance moves deserve extra attention. Your belongings are handled more, travel farther, and sit in transit longer. If you are planning a long-distance move, treat Full Value Protection as the baseline, not the upgrade. Whatever you choose, the decision lives on the bill of lading. Read it, and keep your copy.

How to file a moving claim

If something is damaged or missing, the process is straightforward, and the deadlines matter. For interstate moves, federal rules give you nine months from delivery to file a written claim. The carrier then has 30 days to acknowledge it and 120 days to pay or deny it.

Work the claim in order. Contact the moving company as soon as you find the damage. Photograph each damaged item from several angles, and note anything that is missing. Write a short description of each affected item, including brand, model, and any prior wear. Fill out the mover’s claim form completely. State the value of each item, and attach receipts or appraisals where you have them. Keep a copy of everything you send.

If the claim is denied and you cannot resolve it, you have options. For interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration takes complaints through its consumer program at Protect Your Move. For local moves, your state consumer protection or insurance agency is the place to turn.

Common misconceptions about moving insurance

Three myths cause most of the trouble. The first is that a home policy covers everything in a move. As above, it usually does not cover mover-caused breakage. The second is that every moving company offers the same coverage. The federal valuation levels are the same, but third-party options, deductibles, and service quality vary widely. The third is that coverage pays out no matter what. Items you packed yourself are often excluded unless you can show the mover caused the damage. And undeclared high-value items are capped. Knowing the limits before move day keeps a claim from becoming a surprise.

How coverage works across our markets

The federal valuation rules are national, so Full Value and Released Value Protection work the same whether you move in California, Oregon, Texas, or Washington. Local, in-state moves are governed by each state’s rules, which vary, so the specific terms can differ from the interstate standard.

At Royal Moving & Storage, we explain your valuation options in plain language. We confirm your choice in writing before you book, as part of our transparent pricing. We walk you through whether Released Value, Full Value Protection, or a third-party policy fits your shipment. And we flag high-value items that need to be declared. In the Seattle area, that same standard operates under Royalty Moving & Storage. Long-distance moves run under Royal Moving Services Inc., USDOT 3617767, MC 1640466.

If you are weighing your options, you can compare providers using our guide on how to choose a moving company, browse our full range of services, or contact us for a written estimate that spells out your coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between moving valuation and moving insurance?

Valuation is the level of legal liability a moving company accepts for your goods. Interstate movers are required to offer it. Moving insurance is a separate product sold by a licensed insurer, and it pays you directly for a covered loss. A mover can only sell true insurance if it holds an insurance license. Otherwise, what it offers is valuation.

Is Released Value Protection enough?

Only for low-value shipments. Released Value Protection is free but pays just $0.60 per pound per item, so a light, expensive item like a TV is covered for a small fraction of its worth. For a typical household, Full Value Protection or a third-party policy is the coverage worth having.

Does my homeowners or renters insurance cover a move?

Usually only against named perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, or a vehicle accident, and often with an off-premises limit. Standard policies generally do not cover damage the movers cause, like a dropped or scratched item. Call your agent and ask specifically about property in transit.

How long do I have to file a moving claim?

For interstate moves, federal rules give you nine months from the delivery date to file a written claim. The moving company then has 30 days to acknowledge the claim and 120 days to pay or deny it.

How much does Full Value Protection cost?

It varies by mover, by the value you declare, and by the deductible you choose. A lower deductible raises the price. Ask for the cost in writing so you can compare it against the value of your shipment and against a third-party policy.

Do I have to declare high-value items?

Yes. Items worth more than $100 per pound, such as jewelry, art, watches, and some instruments, must be listed on a High-Value Inventory sheet. If they are not declared, the mover’s liability for them can drop to the minimum even under Full Value Protection. Photograph these items, and consider hand-carrying the small ones.