A Guide To Goods In Transit Insurance

Written by Martha Lott Reviewed by Dave Sayce

15th Mar 2017 (Last updated on 29th Jun 2023) 5 minute read

What is Goods in Transit Insurance?

Goods in Transit insurance is an insurance policy that all removals companies should have. It will cover you from any damage or losses to your personal belongings during the move. You don't need to buy Goods in Transit insurance, any reputable removal company will be insured and it will always be included within your removal company costs.

Goods in Transit insurance will protect your belongings from:

• Theft while in transit.
• Damage caused by accidents during transit.
• Loss during transit.
• Damage caused during transit.

It does not cover:

• Storage of goods.
• Damage or confiscation by the government.
• Issues beyond the stated policy limits.
• Certain items may be excluded but this should be stated in the policy.
• Theft from an unattended vehicle or if the vehicle was not secure

Goods in Transit Insurance for Removals

In most scenarios, you will not need to sort out your own Goods in Transit Insurance. All Compare My Move removal companies will be insured with Goods in Transit insurance, usually covering you up to as much as £50,000 for damages, making them top UK removal companies. However, this can vary depending on which removal company you work with.

For added protection and peace and mind, you do also have the option of taking out removals insurance or international moving insurance with an independent insurer. Whilst this will come with an additional cost as it will be up to you to organise not the moving company, it does result in an added layer of security during the house move. If you currently have contents insurance, however, read through your policy first to determine whether your goods are already insured whilst in transit.

Before choosing your moving company, check their insurance policies to find out how you will be covered for any damages during your house move. You should find out how much their policy will cover to give you further peace of mind - these should all be questions to ask your removal company when requesting a quotation.

What is Covered Under Goods in Transit Insurance?

Goods in Transit Insurance can protect against a variety of issues, including damage, theft, delayed delivery and loss. In the unfortunate circumstance that you face financial loss when using a removal company, such as damaged furniture during a house move, you can try to claim back those losses through the insurance.

Many of our removal companies offer varying levels of cover. While we require removal companies to offer Goods in Transit insurance, it's always good to check the level of cover with your moving company when receiving a quote. It should be noted that you will not be covered for Goods in Transit Insurance if you pack your belongings yourself. Your removal company must have packed your belongings in order to be covered.

Our partner’s insurance policy will also have a limit on the value of goods they cover. The majority of our partners have a maximum cover of £10,000 per vehicle, while others may offer coverage of up to £50,000. Although your mover’s insurance should easily cover you in case of damages, it's worth checking policies beforehand if you are transporting valuable goods.

Goods in Transit and Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability insurance is what your removal company should have to cover you and your personal belongings for the duration of the move. Whilst it's not a legal requirement, any reputable removal company will be insured with both Public Liability and Goods in Transit insurance.

Public liability insurance is a policy that covers the costs of injury to any member of the public, including yourself and friends or family helping you move house. It also covers the cost of any damaged or lost items. Having public liability insurance in place ensures you should be compensated in the event of injury or property damage up to the cost of £3 million. The value of this does differ from company to company but you can expect a figure of roughly £1-£3 million pounds. You can ask your removal company about this if you want more information or if you're concerned about injury and property damage.

Public Liability insurance will cover:

• Compensation due to injury or even death of a member of the public. It's unlikely that you will have to make a claim, but this type of insurance will cover the cost of hospital treatment for anyone injured.
• Compensation due to damage of a property or possessions. This covers the cost of repairing the damage caused.

Not only will it give you complete peace of mind, but it will also show that the removal company will treat your personal belongings with great care and consideration. It should be noted, at Compare My Move, it's part of our verification process that every partner must have Public Liability insurance along with Goods in Transit.

How to Dispute Damages

If you find any damages from your move, get in contact with your chosen removal company as soon as possible. Remember to take pictures of the belongings as evidence.

Once your company has been informed of any breakages, they will report the incident to their insurance company. The insurance company will then decide whether the damages fall in line with the company’s policy and provide a verdict. This is usually done within 30 days of the claim. Failing that, take a look at our guide on how to dispute removal company damages for further information.

Using Movers Without Goods in Transit Insurance

Working with an uninsured removal company will mean that none of your belongings will be covered while they are in transit. Some home contents insurance policies may cover moving house, but this is by no means standard.

Using a company with the required insurance means that your belongings are all covered, from losing items to damaging furniture during transit.

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