Updated: November 11, 2025
If you’re planning a move, you might wonder: does homeowners insurance cover moving?
The short answer is sometimes. Your home insurance may protect against certain risks like theft or fire — but not against accidental damage during transport. This guide explains exactly when you’re covered, when you’re not, and how to make sure your belongings stay protected during the move.
Risks specified in the policy, such as theft or fire, are indeed covered. However, damage during transportation is one of the most common questions homeowners ask about moving insurance. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by poor packing, shifting, or mishandling by movers. If you want full protection, consider Full Value Protection (FVP) or a separate moving home insurance policy that covers damage during transit.. Before moving, check Coverage C, off-premises limits, sublimits, and deductibles. Sometimes it is worth taking out additional cargo insurance. If you search for home insurance moving house policies, you’ll find that coverage varies widely between insurers.
Summary:
- Covered: theft, fire or smoke damage, some losses during the move due to a traffic accident.
- Not covered: damage during transport due to mishandling, poor packaging or vibrations.
- Important to check:off-premises limits, sublimits, deductibles, and the difference between ACV and RCV.
Table of Contents
How It Works in Practice
Named risks and open risks
In a standard HO-3 policy, property is protected against specifically listed risks (e.g., theft, fire or smoke damage, explosion, etc.). The HO-5 policy offers broader coverage — often applying the “all risks” principle to personal property, but there are still exceptions: damage during transportation, wear and tear, mold, pests, and gradual damage due to temperature.
Renters and condominium owners (HO-4/HO-6)
When choosing insurance, it is important to understand the difference between the main types of policies. Let's take a look at the key features for different categories.
HO-3 and HO-5 are designed for owners of private homes, but differ in the scope of coverage. HO-3 is a standard option that insures the structure of the house on an “open perils” basis, i.e., it covers any damage except for specifically stated exclusions. Personal property is only protected against the risks listed in the policy. HO-5 is a more expensive option that insures both the structure and property on an “open perils” basis. This policy is more often chosen by owners of valuable property.
There are separate policies for tenants and owners of apartments in condominiums. HO-4 is designed for tenants and covers personal belongings and liability within established limits, but does not insure the building itself. HO-6 is suitable for owners of apartments in condominiums and covers the interior of the premises — from the walls and beyond — as well as personal property. The common areas of the building are insured under a separate policy by the owners' association.
- Personal property coverage works the same as in HO-3/HO-5: usually only the listed risks, unless an extension is purchased.
- Limits on property outside the home, sublimits by category, deductibles, and ACV/RCV calculation rules apply in the same way.
- The association's master policy does not insure your belongings. For expensive items, it is better to take out separate insurance and take into account sub-limits for property used for work.
ACV and RCV
- ACV (Actual Cash Value) — the actual value taking into account depreciation. For example, if a TV cost $1,000 two years ago, the payout may be around $700.
- RCV (Replacement Cost Value) — the amount needed to purchase a new equivalent item. If such a TV now costs $950, the payout will be $950. Often, the insurance company first pays the ACV, and the balance up to the RCV is paid after the replacement is purchased.
Limits for property outside the home and sub-limits
If your belongings are not at home (in a truck, garage, warehouse), the insurance company often applies a reduced limit — usually a portion of the amount under Coverage C of the policy (often around 10%, but check the policy statement for the exact amount). There are also separate limits for certain categories: jewelry, paintings, collections, cash, business items, bicycles, equipment, etc.
Scheduled personal property insurance
It is better to include expensive items (rings, paintings, rare collections) in the policy separately by making a list. This:
- increases limits and removes restrictions by category;
- cancels the deductible;
- covers loss without obvious signs of theft.
Storage and time limits
For items in storage, a coverage period (30/90/180 days) is often set and proof of break-in may be required when reporting a theft. Damage from mold, insects, or temperature changes is almost always excluded.
Pairs/sets and business property
For pairs and sets (e.g., earrings), the rule is that the value of the entire set is assessed. For items used in business, the limit is often very low — check your policy.
Home Insurance When Moving House: What Is Covered at Each Stage
Below is a practical guide to insurance when moving, from loading to storage, to help you understand what a homeowner's policy will actually cover.
1. Loading at the old house
Fire and theft are covered. Falls, scratches, and damage during transport are not. Take photos of the condition of your belongings, make a list, transport valuables yourself, or include them in a separate list in the policy.
2. Independent transport/truck rental
Theft from a locked truck and damage due to an accident may be covered. Damage from shaking or poor packaging is not covered. Insurance from the rental company only protects the truck, not your belongings. Lock the vehicle, park it in a well-lit area, and keep receipts and photos.
3. Professional movers
Home insurance only covers cases that are explicitly stated in the policy. If items are damaged during transport, the transport company is liable. There are usually two options for protection:
- Released Value — payment of approximately $0.60 per pound (basic option);
- Full Value Protection (FVP) — payment for repair, replacement, or compensation at the current value of the item. Expensive items must be listed in advance, and receipts and lists must be kept as proof.
For long-distance moves, FMCSA rules require the carrier to offer both options. If you do not choose Released Value in writing, FVP will automatically apply.
4. Unloading at your new home
Insurance may cover theft during unloading or fire at your new home. Minor scratches, dents, or other minor damage during installation of items is not usually covered. Immediately upon arrival of your items, take photos, check each box against the list, and report any missing items.
5. Storage/containers (POD)
Insurance may cover theft, vandalism, and certain weather damage, but only within the limits for items stored outside the home and for a specific period of time. Damage from mold, insects, or wear and tear is not covered. If you plan to store your belongings for a long time, it is better to take out a separate policy or warehouse insurance. Choose a climate-controlled warehouse, install a strong lock, and take photos of everything you put into storage
| Covered | Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Theft (limits for items outside home) | Damage from drops, poor packing, shifting |
| Fire, smoke, explosion, vandalism, riot | Wear, aging, internal faults |
| Accident damage to belongings | Mold, pests |
| Some storage theft/vandalism | Gradual heat/cold/humidity damage |
| Listed items (may cover unexplained loss) | Unlisted unexplained loss |
| Wind, hail, lightning (if in policy) | Business/cash above limits |
| — | Damage to truck or container (rental covers) |
Notes:
There are restrictions: limits on property outside the home (often around 10% of the coverage amount under Coverage C), limits on individual categories (jewelry, paintings, cash, work items, bicycles, equipment), deductibles, calculation based on ACV (cost with depreciation) or RCV (replacement cost). Damage caused by movers is not covered — use Released Value (approximately $0.60 per pound) or purchase Full Value Protection.
Damage During Transportation
Sometimes home insurance does cover damage during a move, but only in special cases. For example, if there was a theft from a locked truck, a fire, smoke damage, or an accident that caused damage to your belongings. However, if furniture or appliances are damaged due to shaking, falling, or improper packaging, the insurance company will not pay compensation. In addition, there is a limitation: usually no more than 10% of the total property insurance amount (Coverage C) is covered. There are also separate limits for certain categories — jewelry, cash, work items, electronics. The deductible and the type of compensation calculation are also taken into account — at actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cash value (RCV).
If the movers damaged your belongings, home insurance will almost never help. In such cases, the moving company itself is liable. With basic coverage (Released Value), compensation is approximately 60 cents per pound of weight, and with full coverage (Full Value Protection), the company pays for repairs, replacement, or the current value of the item.
Sometimes home insurance can still cover losses if they fall under the terms of the policy. After that, the insurance company can recover the amount from the carrier. To confirm your rights, you need to keep the transportation documents, a list of items, photos, and receipts—without them, it will be difficult to prove the fact of loss or damage.
Who Pays for What
| Situation | Who Pays First | What’s Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Damage during handling | Moving company | Basic: ~$0.60/lb; FVP: repair, replacement, or cash |
| Theft from locked truck/garage | Homeowners insurance | Theft, but off-site and category limits apply |
| Damage from traffic accident | Homeowners insurance | Loss from the crash; truck’s body under rental policy |
| Fire/smoke at warehouse/storage | Homeowners insurance | Within off-site limit and storage time rules |
| Damage to rental truck | Rental policy | The truck itself, not contents |
If your home insurance covers damage caused by the carrier, insurance company may reimburse you by claiming the amount from the carrier (subrogation). Therefore, you should report the incident to both the carrier and the insurer, keeping all supporting documents.
How to Figure Out How Much Money You Will Receive
- Determine what exactly is covered.
- Subtract the deductible.
- Take into account the limit on property outside the home and separate sublimits by category.
Example 1 — theft from a truck.
The policy insures property for $75,000. However, there is a limit for items outside the home — only 10% or $7,500. Items worth $10,000 were stolen. The insurance company will pay a maximum of $7,500. After deducting the $1,000 deductible, the amount will be approximately $6,500 (there may also be separate limits for certain categories, such as jewelry or electronics).
Example 2 — movers broke a TV.
If you had basic coverage (Released Value), the payout would be about $0.60 per pound. The TV weighs 50 pounds → approximately $30.
If you have full protection (Full Value Protection), the insurance company will pay for repairs or replacement. If a new equivalent costs $700, they will pay approximately $700, subject to the terms and conditions and any deductible
Example 3 — a fire in a warehouse.
Property insurance — $100,000. The limit for items outside the home is 10%, or $10,000.
Property worth $25,000 was damaged of which $600 was cash (and the limit for cash is $200). This means that the total loss before limits is $24,600, but the maximum payout will be $10,000.
After deducting the $1,000 deductible, you will receive approximately $9,000.
What to Do in Advance
- Check Coverage C, the percentage for property outside the home, the deductible amount, and the type of valuation (RCV or ACV).
- Check the sublimits: jewelry, paintings, collections, cash, work items, electronics, bicycles.
- Include expensive items in the policy — attach appraisals, receipts, serial numbers. Find out if “mysterious disappearance” is covered and if the deductible will be waived.
- With the carrier: choose FVP, record valuable items in the documents, request a copy of the appraisal rules.
- Take photos of your inventory: item → condition → closed box. Save the photos in the cloud.
- When renting a truck: clarify what is included in the damage disclaimer; remember that the contents are not insured.
- When storing: choose a climate-controlled room with a sturdy lock; check the validity of the policy and whether there are any signs of tampering.
- If you are moving between two of your homes, request a temporary extension of coverage from your insurer for the duration of the move and record this in writing.
Many insurers offer moving home insurance options that temporarily expand your coverage during the relocation period.
How to File an Insurance Claim Without Paperwork Confusion
To file an insurance claim without unnecessary confusion, you first need to record everything related to the incident: take photos or videos of the scene, locks or seals, and damage.
If theft has occurred, it is important to contact the police and record the report number.
Next you should gather evidence — make list of brands, models, and serial numbers, attach receipts or statements, appraisals, photos taken before the incident, as well as the delivery note and acceptance certificate.
After that you need to notify the carrier or insurance company, strictly adhering to the deadlines set in the policy and the contract of carriage, and do not dispose of damaged items or packaging until the case is closed.
Once the estimates are received, you should choose the method of compensation — repair, replacement, or cash payment — and clarify how the final amount will be affected by the type of assessment (ACV or RCV), the deductible amount, the limit on property outside the home, and sub-limits by category.