Summertime, when the kids are out of school, is prime time for residential moves. It’s also prime time for broken bowls and bed frames: one out of five consumers who move across state borders files a loss or damage claim with the mover, according to the American Moving and Storage Association. The ratio is probably comparable for in-state moves.
Under federal law, movers must provide insurance coverage of 60 cents per pound to any customer moving between states. An item weighing 10 pounds would have only $6 in coverage, no matter what its value. Generally, this insurance coverage is not enough, and in-state coverage may be even less.
Should you buy extra coverage? Probably. Most homeowner’s policies won’t cover moving damage.
Movers often sell full-value coverage; you also can shop for insurance at Web sites such as Compare prices and deductibles before buying. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a typical move, which may be a worthwhile outlay.
