Marius Kemp, Head of Personal Lines Underwriting at Santam, shares practical insurance tips for keeping your possessions safe while moving houses.
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Moving house is one of life’s most disruptive transitions, but it’s also one of the riskiest for your possessions. Between overpacked boxes and third-party movers, your stuff is in transit, in storage or somewhere in between. Yet many homeowners only discover the limits of their home and contents insurance when something disappears or is damaged.
Not all standard policies automatically cover belongings while they are being moved to a new property. Some policies don’t cover moves at all, while others may offer limited cover when a professional furniture removal company is used; it all depends on the specific policy in place.
Even when a policy does specifically cover your possessions while in transit, the cover is often restricted to certain events, such as theft or accidents involving the removal vehicle. Certain types of damage or loss during a move are also commonly excluded.
Fragile items such as glassware, mirrors, or china may not be covered if they are damaged in transit. In many cases, insurers may only consider cover for these items if they were professionally packed by the removal company using appropriate protective materials. As with other aspects of moving cover, this can vary between policies, so it’s worth checking what applies to you before moving day, so there are no surprises.
If any items are going to be kept in storage during the move, this is another thing to consider from an insurance perspective. Insurance cover for items in temporary storage isn’t always the same as cover at your home. Some insurers may offer limited cover for belongings stored between moves, while others may require additional conditions to be met, such as specific security measures.
Before anything moves anywhere, here are five practical tips:
Check the fine print of your policy before moving
Review your home and contents cover well in advance. Confirm what is covered while goods are in transit, whether temporary storage is included, and which exclusions apply. Pay particular attention to limits around theft, vehicle accidents, and fragile items.
Use a reputable moving company
Take time to read reviews and confirm that the removal company has appropriate insurance in place. Some insurers only provide limited cover when a professional mover is used, so using an established provider can help reduce both risk and uncertainty.
Make sure security measures are tight at every point
Whether goods are in transit, in temporary storage, or at the new property, confirm that reasonable security precautions are in place. This may include approved storage facilities, secure vehicles, and appropriate security features at the new address.
Keep an up-to-date inventory
Maintain a detailed inventory of your belongings, supported by photographs and valuations of high-value items. This can help reduce disputes and make the claims process smoother if something is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Notify your insurer
Advise your insurer of your change of address and any differences in security features at the new property to ensure your cover remains valid and to avoid complications at the claims stage.
When it comes to moving, a little preparation can go a long way. And this applies to insurance too.
Planning will not only ensure a smoother and safer move, but it’ll also help avoid any disputes at the claims stage. Understanding how your home and contents insurance responds during a move is therefore essential before the first box is sealed,.
* Kemp is the head of personal lines underwriting at Santam
PERSONAL FINANCE