According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 30 million Americans move each year. Some move across the county, some move a few states over and some move across the country. To make that move, they fill their personal vehicles with boxes, clothes and furniture or they borrow a pickup from a friend. Oftentimes, they enlist the aid of professionals to help move their stuff. Today’s moving market also looks different than a few years ago: many movers now use virtual video surveys and e‑signatures to generate binding or not‑to‑exceed estimates, and regulators are amplifying fraud warnings and consumer‑rights tools like FMCSA’s Protect Your Move. Digital photo/video inventories are increasingly standard, which can streamline claims if something goes wrong.
In the process, Americans spend widely varying amounts depending on service model. Typical local moves with two movers and a truck run about $100–$200 per hour, with most studio/1‑bedroom jobs totaling roughly $300–$900, 2‑bedroom $500–$1,300, and 3‑bedroom $800–$1,800+ (Forbes Home; HomeAdvisor). Interstate full‑service moves commonly cost about $4,000–$9,000+ depending on weight, miles, timing, and valuation (Move.org). Hybrid container moves often price around several hundred to ~$1,000+ for local and ~$1,500–$3,500+ long‑distance (PODS; U‑Pack). DIY truck rentals can be the lowest upfront choice, but multi‑day, long‑distance totals frequently land ~$1,000–$3,000 after fuel and protection add‑ons (Move.org). Prices have generally risen since 2020 alongside broader services inflation (BLS CPI). For marketplace trends, see HireAHelper.com. The last thing they want to do is increase those costs by paying to repair or replace damaged furnishings and personal property.
So who’s responsible for the damages? Well, that depends. If you are moving yourself and your property is stolen or damaged by a covered peril like fire while in transit or temporary storage, your homeowners or renters policy may respond—but usually with lower “off‑premises” limits and exclusions for breakage/handling. Many policies cap off‑premises coverage at about 10% of your personal property (Coverage C) limit and cover only named perils such as theft or fire; they typically do not pay for items dropped by you or movers (Insurance Information Institute; III – Renters). Auto policies generally do not cover personal belongings in a vehicle; those claims fall under home/renters (III – Auto vs. Home). If your belongings are damaged by movers, recovery usually comes through the mover’s federally governed “valuation,” not insurance: the no‑added‑charge Released Value (limited to $0.60 per pound per item) or paid Full Value Protection (FVP), which obligates repair/replace/cash‑settle up to a declared value (minimums commonly set by weight, such as $6 per pound of total shipment) (FMCSA; FMCSA – Your Rights). Container providers offer separate “contents protection” plans with stated limits/deductibles, which are different from truck rental vehicle damage waivers; contents plans address your goods, while truck waivers protect the rental vehicle itself (PODS Contents Protection).
[ Read: The Best Homeowners Insurance Companies]
Can You Claim Insurance for Damaged Furniture or Other Property During Moving?
When you purchase a homeowners or renters insurance policy, part of that coverage applies to your belongings off‑premises—often worldwide—but usually only for named perils such as theft, fire/smoke, or vandalism. Many insurers apply a lower limit to property away from home, commonly about 10% of Coverage C; breakage or handling damage by you or movers is typically excluded unless you carry broader forms and even then exclusions can apply (III; III – Renters). Before you move, confirm in writing with your insurer what’s covered while packing, in transit, in temporary storage, and at a new residence, and whether any time‑limited “new residence” provisions apply. For interstate moves, also review your mover’s valuation options and your FMCSA consumer rights (FMCSA – Your Rights).
It’s possible you may need to purchase additional protection. Separate third‑party “moving insurance” policies can supplement a mover’s valuation—often covering perils like theft or fire and, in some policies, breakage when items are professionally packed; exclusions vary and flood/earthquake generally require separate policies (Insurance Information Institute – How to Insure Your Move). These third‑party policies are distinct from mover valuation and are handled with the insurer; the mover still remains liable at least for the selected valuation.
Another option is to schedule valuables (jewelry, collectibles, fine art) on a personal articles floater to bypass common sublimits and secure broader protection; standard policies often have category sublimits for items like jewelry and silverware (III). Under mover valuation, items worth more than $100 per pound must be listed as “articles of extraordinary value” to be fully covered under FVP (FMCSA – Rights & Responsibilities). If you use a portable container, review the provider’s contents‑protection limits and deductible choices and note common exclusions for owner‑packed boxes, prohibited items, vermin/mold, and temperature or moisture (PODS Contents Protection).
[Read: How to File a Claim for Roof Damage]
How Can You Claim This Insurance?
In the event your personal property is lost or damaged during a move, first decide where to file: your homeowners or renters insurer (for named perils like theft/fire within off‑premises limits), your mover under valuation (Released Value or FVP), your container/truck provider’s contents protection, or a third‑party moving policy. File promptly and use digital channels where available—most insurers and many movers now accept photo/video uploads and e‑signatures through apps/portals, which can speed cycle time (J.D. Power). If theft occurs, file a police report and include the report number with your claim (III – Homeowners Claim). For interstate moves, FMCSA materials note you generally have nine months from delivery to submit a written loss/damage claim to the mover; movers must acknowledge and process claims within set timeframes (FMCSA – Rights & Responsibilities).
- Confirm coverage specifics: Am I covered off‑premises and what is my off‑premises limit (often ~10% of Coverage C)? What perils are covered (e.g., theft/fire) and what exclusions apply (breakage by movers, self‑packed boxes)? (III)
- Know deadlines: What is my mover’s claim window (generally nine months for interstate) and my insurer’s documentation requirements? Do I need a police report for theft? (FMCSA; III)
- Assess deductibles and tradeoffs: Will my loss exceed my deductible and the off‑premises sublimit? Ask your insurer how a claim could affect your policy terms and future costs.
“If your loss is lower than your deductible, you probably won’t want to go through the claims filing process,” Holeman says. Also consider whether an off‑premises cap (often around 10% of Coverage C) would limit recovery on a home/renters claim, in which case a mover valuation or contents‑protection route may be more practical (III).
If you plan to file a claim with your homeowners or renters insurance company, don’t put it off. “Promptly fill out claim forms,” Holeman says. “If you establish that you’ll be making a claim, your insurance company will send you the necessary claims forms. By law, these must be sent to you within a specified time period. Return the properly filled out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays.” For mover claims on interstate shipments, submit your written claim within nine months of delivery; the carrier must acknowledge within 30 days and pay, deny, or make a firm offer within 120 days (with limited extensions) (FMCSA – Rights & Responsibilities). Keep all correspondence in writing and save copies.
For damaged property, take pictures of the items to submit with your claim. If you have “before” pictures of those items, send those in as well. These “before” pictures are particularly helpful in the event your property is stolen or lost. Do not discard damaged items or packaging until instructed; your policy typically requires you to mitigate further damage (tarp/secure items) and keep receipts for temporary repairs. When theft is involved, file a police report. Use your insurer’s app/portal to upload photos, serial numbers, and inventories for faster processing (III; J.D. Power). For flood losses, follow NFIP’s steps and Proof‑of‑Loss timeline (60 days unless extended) (FEMA/NFIP).
What Other Options Are Available for a Person in Case of Damages During a Move?
If you plan to hire a professional mover, you need to speak with them beforehand to find out what insurance, warranty or guarantee they have in place in the event your belongings are lost, stolen or damaged. “If you use a moving company, they may offer warranty plans that cover replacement value of personal property,” Holeman says. “If you opt for coverage, make sure you fully understand what is covered and the terms. Make sure you get written documentation.” For interstate moves, understand that movers provide valuation (carrier liability) under the Carmack framework—not an insurance policy. You must choose between no‑cost Released Value (limited to $0.60/lb per item) and paid Full Value Protection (FVP), often with deductible choices; FVP typically requires declaring at least a minimum shipment value based on weight (commonly $6/lb), and items worth >$100 per pound must be listed to be fully covered (FMCSA; FMCSA – Rights & Responsibilities; United Van Lines – FVP). The federal baseline of $0.60/lb remains in effect per the Surface Transportation Board’s 2024 Released Rates decision (STB RR 999 (2024)).
Also, before the move, document all personal belongings which will be transported for you. Start by making an inventory list of all items; this is easy to do if you make a list going room to room. For instance, take a piece of paper, write “living room” at the top and then list all items in the room you plan to have the movers transport for you. Do this for all rooms in the house, including closets, the garage, basement, attic and any outbuildings. You also should take photos or videos of all belongings in each room. Identify any “articles of extraordinary value” (>$100/lb) on the mover’s inventory and keep receipts/appraisals. Many providers now offer virtual/AI video surveys and digital inventories, which can improve quote accuracy and speed claims documentation (FMCSA).
Once your items are delivered and unloaded at your new residence, inspect each and every piece to make sure you (1) received everything and (2) nothing is damaged. If you have to file a claim with the moving company’s insurance, warranty or guarantee division, you can submit your inventory list, photos and video with the claim as evidence of the missing or damaged items. Note any loss/damage on the delivery receipt, keep damaged items for inspection, and file your mover claim promptly (generally within nine months for interstate). Intrastate moves may follow different state rules—check your state’s mover regulator resources (e.g., Texas DMV; California CPUC). To reduce fraud risk, verify movers/brokers at ProtectYourMove.gov; broker financial‑responsibility oversight is also tightening under an FMCSA final rule effective January 16, 2025 (FMCSA Final Rule).
The Bottom Line
Packing up your life and moving from one home to another remains a large task for everyone. The last thing you want to deal with is finding out your belongings were damaged, lost or stolen along the way. If that does, in fact, happen, contact your homeowners or renters insurance company or agent right away to find out if repairs or replacement of those items are covered under your policy—bearing in mind off‑premises limits (often ~10% of Coverage C), named‑peril restrictions, deductibles, and category sublimits (e.g., jewelry). Remember that auto policies don’t cover personal contents; those usually fall under home/renters (III; III – Auto vs. Home). If you used a moving company, rely on mover valuation (Released Value at $0.60/lb or FVP with a declared value and possible deductible) or a third‑party moving policy; for containers, evaluate contents‑protection plans and understand how they differ from vehicle damage waivers (FMCSA; PODS Contents Protection).
