If there’s one topic in the moving industry that causes more confusion than any other, it’s insurance. Customers assume they’re covered. Movers assume customers read the fine print. The gap between those two assumptions is where disappointment happens.

We’d rather be upfront about it. Here’s a clear, honest breakdown of how moving valuation coverage actually works; what it protects, what it doesn’t, and how to make an informed decision before your move.

First: It’s Technically “Valuation,” Not “Insurance”

Legally speaking, moving companies don’t sell insurance, that’s the domain of licensed insurance companies. What movers offer is called “valuation coverage,” which determines how much they’re liable for in the event of loss or damage. In practice, many people call this moving insurance, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Just know that your existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may also provide some coverage during a move, it’s worth checking with your insurer.

Released Value Protection: The Default (and Its Limits)

Unless you choose otherwise, your move is covered under Released Value Protection. This is included at no additional charge, but the coverage is minimal by design: movers are liable for no more than $0.60 per pound per item.

To put that in concrete terms: if a 10-pound laptop valued at $1,500 is damaged during your move, you’d receive $6.00 in compensation. A 50-pound flat-screen TV worth $800 would yield $30.00.

Released Value Protection exists because movers don’t know what’s inside every box. It protects them from liability on items they couldn’t evaluate. It does not protect you from meaningful financial loss.

Full Value Protection: What Comprehensive Coverage Looks Like

Full Value Protection is the more robust option and requires an additional fee. Under this coverage, if an item is lost, destroyed, or damaged, your mover must either:

  • Repair the item to its original condition,
  • Replace it with an item of like kind and quality, or
  • Pay you the cost of repair or the current market value, whichever is less.

This is meaningfully better coverage, but there are still important limitations. High-value items (typically defined as items worth more than $100 per pound) need to be declared separately on a High-Value Inventory form. If you don’t declare them, they may not be fully covered even under Full Value Protection. Review a Moving Protection brochure from United Van Lines here.

What Valuation Coverage Doesn’t Cover

Even with Full Value Protection, there are exclusions most customers don’t know about until after something goes wrong:

  • Items packed by the owner (PBO boxes): If you packed the box yourself and it’s delivered without external damage, movers typically aren’t liable for broken contents.
  • Acts of nature: Damage caused by weather, flooding, or other events outside the mover’s control is generally excluded.
  • Mechanical derangement: If electronics stop working after a move but show no physical damage, this is often excluded.
  • Inherent vice: Items prone to damage due to their own nature (e.g., certain antiques or fragile materials) may have limited coverage.

These exclusions aren’t unique to Premier Relocations, they’re standard across the industry. Understanding them lets you make smarter decisions about what to carry personally and what to declare separately.

Third-Party Moving Insurance: An Additional Option

For added peace of mind, especially on high-value moves, some customers purchase separate moving insurance from a third-party insurer. This can fill gaps left by valuation coverage, including the PBO exclusion. Companies like Baker International or Movinginsurance.com specialize in this type of coverage. Ask your Premier Relocations representative if you’d like guidance on what to look for.

Our Recommendation: Have the Conversation Before You Sign

Coverage decisions should happen at the estimate stage, not on moving day. Before you sign your Bill of Lading, make sure you understand what level of protection is included, whether you’d like to upgrade to Full Value Protection, and whether any of your items need to be inventoried separately.

Our team will walk you through every option clearly and without pressure. Transparency isn’t just good practice, it’s how we’ve built lasting relationships with the customers who trust us with their most important belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my move covered if I pack my own boxes?
Generally, no, not for internal damage. If the box arrives with no external damage but items inside are broken, the packer-owner exclusion typically applies. To protect packed items, use professional packing services or purchase third-party coverage.

Does my homeowner’s insurance cover my move?
It may. Many homeowner’s and renter’s policies extend coverage during a move, but with limits and deductibles. Contact your insurer before your move to understand exactly what’s covered and for how long.

What happens if an item is lost entirely?
Under Full Value Protection, lost items are subject to the same repair/replace/compensate framework. Under Released Value Protection, you’d receive $0.60 per pound. Document high-value items with photos and serial numbers before your move.

Questions about coverage? Our team at Premier Relocations will explain your options clearly. No jargon, no pressure. Get a no cost estimate today or call us at 800-863-5161 to get started.