Do You Need Insurance When Moving House?

Moving house involves plenty of things to think about, and insurance is one of those jobs that can easily slip down the list. Between organising your removals company, packing your belongings and sorting out the paperwork, it’s understandable that checking your insurance might not be at the forefront of your mind. However, it’s vital you check that your possessions and new property are covered for the duration of the move. But which insurance policies are required, and when should you check them? Jack & Jill Removals explain all below. 

Is insurance legally required when moving house?

No, home insurance isn’t legally required in the UK. However, most mortgage lenders will require buildings insurance to be in place when you exchange contracts. 

What insurance do you need when moving house?

There are three main types of insurance worth considering when planning a house move: buildings insurance, contents insurance and removals insurance. Each covers something slightly different, so it’s important to understand what you’re paying for.

1. Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your property, protecting you financially against damage caused by events such as fire and flooding, depending on your policy.

If you’re buying a property with a mortgage, your lender will usually require you to have buildings insurance in place. Although it isn’t a legal requirement in itself, it’s an important condition of most mortgage agreements.

If you’re buying a property in England or Wales, you should sort buildings insurance from the date you exchange contracts. This is because you are responsible for the property from exchange, even though they may not receive the keys until completion.

If you’re selling your existing home, keep your cover in place until completion, when the sale has been finalised.

2. Contents Insurance

Content insurance protects the belongings inside your home. This includes things such as furniture, televisions, computers, clothing, ornaments and other personal possessions.

Moving house is a good opportunity to review your existing contents insurance and make sure your total contents value is still accurate.

Your current insurer may allow you to transfer your policy to your new address, but this varies depending on the company, so make sure you check prior to the move. Your premium could change depending on the property’s location, size, security and other factors.

3. Removals insurance and Goods in Transit cover

Goods in Transit insurance is designed to protect belongings while they’re being transported from one location to another. Depending on the policy, this may cover loss or damage during the journey.

Many companies have specific terms, limits and exclusions that determine what they will cover. Equally, your existing home contents insurance may already include some protection while you’re moving, meaning you don’t necessarily need to purchase additional cover.

The best approach is to check both policies before moving day so you know exactly where you stand and can select a removal company appropriately. 

Does home insurance cover your belongings during a move?

This is one of the most common questions people have when arranging a house move, and the answer is that it depends on your individual policy.

Some home contents insurance policies include what’s known as temporary removal cover or goods in transit cover. This can protect your belongings while they’re being moved between your old and new homes.

Before moving day, contact your insurer and ask whether your existing policy covers your belongings while they’re being transported. It’s much better to establish this beforehand than to discover there is a gap in your cover when you need to make a claim.

There may be conditions attached. For example:

• You may need to use a professional removals company rather than move everything yourself
• Fragile items may only be covered if they’ve been professionally packed
• There may be a maximum amount the insurer will pay out for individual items
• Jewellery, antiques and other valuable belongings may have specific exclusions or require additional cover
• Accidental damage may not be included as standard

Does your removal company have insurance?

If you’re using a professional removals company, always check whether they are covered by insurance.  A reputable removals company should be happy to explain its insurance arrangements and clarify what is and isn’t covered in advance of your move. 

When comparing removals companies, ask:

• Do you have Goods in Transit insurance?
• What is the maximum amount covered?
• Are there any exclusions for fragile or valuable items?
• Are belongings covered if I pack them?
• What happens if something is damaged during loading or unloading?
• Is there an excess or a particular claims procedure?

How to make sure you’re properly covered before moving day

Insurance doesn’t need to be complicated, but it’s worth making a few checks before the big day.

Here’s a simple list to work through:

1. Contact your existing insurer: Ask whether your current policy covers your belongings during the move and whether it can be transferred to your new address.
2. Arrange buildings insurance: If you’re buying, check when your cover needs to start. In England and Wales, this is often the date of exchange for the buyer.
3. Check your cover: Make sure your belongings are insured for an appropriate value.
4. Speak to your removals company: Find out what insurance they have, what their cover includes and whether there are any restrictions.
5. Check storage arrangements: If you’re using storage, make sure your belongings will remain covered while they’re there.
6. Keep important documents:. Save copies of your insurance policies and any relevant correspondence so you can refer back to them if necessary.

There’s plenty to organise when moving house, and making sure your insurance is sorted is just one part of the process. Once you’ve checked your policies and know your belongings are properly covered, you can concentrate on getting everything ready for moving day.

At Jack & Jill Removals, we understand the importance of caring for your belongings at every stage of the move, both financially and physically. Our family run removals company based in Holmfirth, help you get your belongings safely from your old home to your new one while you focus on everything else that needs your attention. Please don’t hesitate to inquire about our insurance policies during the enquiry process.