Moving "Insurance" isn't Insurance

One of the biggest shocks for homeowners happens when a mover drops a $2,000 TV and offers a check for $30. This happens because moving companies provide "Valuation," not true insurance. Understanding the options is critical.

Option 1: Released Value Protection (Free)

This is the federally mandated minimum coverage. It costs you nothing, but the coverage is pitiful: 60 cents per pound per article.
Example: If they smash your 50-pound flat-screen TV, you get 50 lbs x $0.60 = $30. It doesn't matter if the TV cost $500 or $5,000.

Option 2: Full Value Protection (Paid)

This is what you want. For an upfront premium (usually a % of the total value of your goods), the mover creates a liability limit.
Example: If they break that same TV, they must either: repair it, replace it with a like item, or pay the current market value for it. This is the only way to safeguard expensive electronics and furniture.

Option 3: Third-Party Insurance

Sometimes, your homeowner's insurance policy covers goods in transit. Check with your agent. If not, you can buy separate "moving insurance" from a third-party provide, which often offers better rates and clearer terms than the mover's own valuation.