The Truth About Removals Insurance Australia

• August 9, 2022
• Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

Moving house is a big task, but it’s essential that you do not forget about removals insurance. Australia offers plenty of distance between its cities, and if possessions aren’t insured and are lost or damaged during the moving process, you’ll be glad you had some transit insurance in place.

We’ve covered everything you need to know about removals insurance coverage in this helpful article. Read on to learn why you should consider it before you start planning your move.

What is removal insurance?

You may assume your possessions are covered by your contents insurance when moving house, but this is often unlikely. Furthermore, if your policy does cover you, there are probably conditions attached that aren’t always practical.

This is where removal or transit insurance comes in. This can cover your possessions from the second they leave your old home until they arrive at the new one. Some removal insurance policies will also protect your possessions while you keep them in storage until they are ready to be moved to your new home.

Why should I have transit insurance when moving?

Professional removal companies often have several different types of insurance, which can include:

• Public liability
• Carriers liability
• Motor Vehicles Third Party Liability

These will only apply when damage or loss is the removal company’s fault. In the case of an accident or unpredictable weather event, you’ll be at a loss if you don’t have transit insurance, which is why it is recommended.

What goods are protected with transit insurance coverage?

There are predominantly two main types of moving insurance available from your insurance company or insurance broker:

• Full cover for all loss or damage during your move.
• The restricted cover protects goods in specific circumstances such (e.g. fire, flood, or a traffic accident).

You can often customise your insurance policy to suit your circumstances and belongings. Most removal insurance covers all of your possessions from the moment they leave your old home until arriving at the new one or while you are in temporary accommodation for up to 30 days, which is helpful when relocating interstate.

From transit to storage insurance, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Types of insurance cover available

You have a few insurance policy options available to protect your belongings, and it is important that you read the relevant product disclosure statement before choosing the right one for your needs:

Contents insurance

Important for protecting your belongings when in your home, we strongly recommend that you organise home and contents insurance before you move so you are covered the moment you step in the door of your new place.

Removalist insurance

Professional removal companies will often offer some form of moving insurance, but you may wish to take out your own removalist insurance to ensure you are covered for any situations that are not taken care of by the policy held by the removal company.

Standalone transit or moving insurance

A general insurance company will offer transit insurance as a standalone product which you can purchase separately from your contract with the removal company. This may be used in cases where storage insurance is also required.

Whether you get a contents insurance policy online or talk directly to the removalist, transit cover is important.

Are any items excluded from the cover when being moved?

Every insurance policy is different, and we recommend checking if there are any exclusions that are relevant to your belongings before purchasing a policy. A quality removal company that offers insurance will be able to let you know if any of your products are not covered.

How much does removal insurance cost in Australia?

Moving insurance rates are often calculated based on the replacement cost amount you are insuring your products for and the duration of the policy. As a result, each quote will be vastly different. Understand how much you are moving by completing our handy checklist.

How professional movers can help to ensure the safety of your belongings

The right removal company is another way to ensure the safety of your belongings along with moving insurance. Bill’s Removalist Service has years of experience with moves of all sizes and will ensure the complete safety of your belongings, including expert packing and loading, so they arrive at their destination safely.

Just call 0425 351 578 or email info@billremovalistssydney.com.au to enquire about our removalist services and moving insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have some more questions about moving insurance? Our helpful FAQ section may have the answers:

Does my home contents insurance cover me for moving house?

It is quite rare for a home and contents insurance policy to also include moving insurance. We recommend you confirm whether your policy does with your insurance provider before taking out a removal insurance policy.

Am I covered by my removal company’s insurance?

Your removal company will offer a level of insurance that will cover certain situations, however this will likely be a restricted cover that may prompt you to take out an additional policy for full protection. You will need to read the product disclosure statement to determine if the level of cover offered is sufficient.

When is loss or damage not the removalist’s fault?

Accidents can happen in professional moves, and the following situations would not be classed as the removal company’s fault:

• If an item is broken on arrival after being secured correctly in the truck.
• In cases where an item is lost or stolen during unloading or while in storage.
• If there is an accident which is not the driver’s fault.
• Unpredictable weather causing a fire or a flood.

Where can I get removalist insurance?

You can get removalist insurance from your insurance provider or direct from the removalist company. When moving house, it is important to discuss the need for this to prevent damage from unforeseen circumstances.

Can I report damages to the Australian furniture removers association?

If there is an issue during a move, you do have certain protections under the Australian Consumer Law. Furniture removalists are required to meet certain standards set by the Australian Furniture Removers Association, and you can submit a report to this organisation for investigation should an issue occur.