Moving insurance and valuation without the jargon

Start with released value

For interstate moves within the US, released value is the basic level of carrier liability and is generally provided without an added charge. It limits recovery to 60 cents per pound per article. The calculation uses an item's weight, not its purchase price, replacement price, age, or personal importance.

That difference matters most for belongings that are light and expensive. If such an item is lost or destroyed, the released-value calculation may be far below the cost of replacing it. Consider several representative belongings and apply the contract formula before deciding that the basic option is enough.

Released value is not a promise that every claim will be paid. You still need to show that the mover received the item and that covered loss or damage occurred while it was responsible. Contract exclusions, packing choices, condition, and claim documentation may affect the outcome.

Understand full value protection

Full value protection generally gives the carrier options when an item is lost or damaged: repair it, replace it with a comparable item, or make a payment based on the applicable value under the agreement. Read how the mover defines comparable replacement and whether depreciation, deductibles, minimum shipment values, or special limits apply.

High-value items may need to be declared separately to receive broader treatment. Ask which belongings require listing and what evidence of value is expected. Jewelry, collections, art, important documents, and irreplaceable objects may be excluded or limited, and some are better kept with you rather than placed on the truck.

Full value protection increases potential carrier liability, but the name does not erase every condition. The carrier may inspect damage, choose the remedy, require repair estimates, or rely on packing and inherent-defect exclusions. Obtain the complete terms before selecting the option, not only a short sales summary.

Evaluate separate insurance carefully

Third-party moving insurance may cover risks or values beyond the mover's valuation option, depending on the policy. It is a contract with an insurer, so examine covered events, exclusions, deductibles, valuation method, geographic scope, storage treatment, and the process for coordinating with the mover's liability.

Ask whether your homeowners, renters, or other existing policy provides any transit coverage. Do not assume that it does, and do not assume that buying another policy creates duplicate recovery. Contact the insurer directly, describe the move accurately, and request the relevant policy language in writing.

Check when coverage begins and ends, who must pack the goods, whether temporary storage is covered, and how notice of loss must be given. If a broker offers the product, identify the actual insurer and policy administrator. Save the policy, declarations, receipt, and claim instructions outside the shipment.

Know what protection may not cover

Valuation and insurance can exclude or limit damage caused by owner-packed boxes, ordinary wear, internal failure of electronics, natural deterioration, prohibited goods, or pre-existing damage. Coverage may also depend on whether the mover was told about an item's unusual nature or value. Exact exclusions vary, so the controlling document matters.

Consequential losses can be treated differently from direct physical loss. A delayed work setup, missed event, emotional attachment, or inconvenience may not be valued the way you expect. Likewise, pairs and sets may be handled under special terms when only one component is damaged.

Do not pack cash, identity documents, medicine, keys, critical records, or irreplaceable personal items without checking the rules and considering whether they should remain with you. Protection is most useful when paired with sensible decisions about what never enters the shipment.

Build evidence before pickup

Create an inventory that connects items to their condition. Photograph furniture from several useful angles, capture existing marks, and record model or serial information for significant appliances and electronics. For boxed goods, keep a contents list and photograph valuable items before sealing the box.

At pickup, review the mover's inventory and condition codes before signing. If a description is inaccurate or too broad, ask for a correction. Keep your own photographs and documents backed up somewhere outside the shipment. At delivery, note visible loss or damage on the delivery paperwork and photograph it before cleanup or repair.

If something is wrong, follow the written claim process promptly and preserve the item and packaging for inspection. A notation at delivery helps establish timing, but it may not be the full written claim required by the contract. Clear before-and-after evidence makes any valuation choice more workable.

Is full value protection the same as insurance?

Generally, no. Full value protection is a level of carrier liability under the moving contract. Insurance is a separate policy issued by an insurer. The distinction affects remedies, exclusions, claim handling, and who owes payment.

Does released value pay 60 cents for every pound shipped?

It applies at 60 cents per pound per article for covered loss or damage on an interstate US move. The weight of the affected article matters, not the total shipment weight, and other claim terms still apply.

Will valuation cover boxes I packed myself?

It depends on the terms and the cause of damage. Owner-packed contents can be harder to prove and may be subject to exclusions, especially without external box damage. Keep packing records, contents lists, and photographs, and read the mover's rules before packing.

When should I choose protection?

Review and select it before the shipment is loaded, following the mover's required process. Do not leave the choice to a rushed signature at pickup. Keep the signed selection and complete terms with your move records.