Moving home raises a focused set of insurance questions: what needs cover, when that cover must start, and how a professional removals policy sits alongside your home insurance.
This guide walks you through “insurance when moving home” so you can arrange buildings and contents protection correctly, understand transit cover, and spot when a temporary or specialist policy is right for you.
Many losses happen in transit or in the exchange-to-completion window, so knowing who bears the risk and what evidence to keep helps avoid rejected claims.
You’ll learn the core requirements, get clear steps to read your existing policies, understand what removals firms usually insure, and see specific advice for valuables and storage.
What insurance should you arrange when moving home?
When people talk about insurance for a house move, they usually mean two things: buildings insurance for the property itself and contents insurance for your belongings, including cover while they’re in transit.
Building cover should normally start at the exchange of contracts if that’s when you become legally responsible, to prevent any uninsured gap before completion.
The contents cover needs either a transit clause or a short-term transit policy that explicitly includes removals, with clear valuation limits and any packing or professional-mover conditions spelled out.
The sections below break these areas down into timing, simple checks, and immediate actions to help you avoid common exclusions.
This quick checklist helps you prioritise your cover before and during a move:
- Confirm buildings cover start date: Make sure the policy begins at exchange or on the agreed date you become responsible.
- Check contents transit clauses: Verify transit limits, required conditions, and any per-item caps.
- Document valuables and receipts: Photograph and list high-value items before you pack them.
Those three steps reduce the chance of an uninsured loss and prepare you to request extra cover if your current policy won’t stretch to the move.
Building insurance to protect your new home from exchange to completion
Building insurance covers the fabric of the house and should be taken out by whoever is contractually liable from the exchange of contracts. If liability passes to you at exchange, your buildings policy needs to start that day and show the correct address and reinstatement value; otherwise, the property may be uninsured during a crucial period.
Also, check for unoccupied property clauses and any security requirements if the house will be empty before completion. Confirm these points with your conveyancer and insurer, and get written confirmation of the policy start date.
How contents insurance protects your belongings during a move
Contents insurance covers the items in your home and, where stated, items while they’re being moved, often called “contents in transit” or “transit cover”. Transit cover normally covers accidental loss, theft, or damage during the move, but many policies include per-item limits, require professional movers, or exclude certain risks unless declared.
If your policy doesn’t include transit cover, you can arrange protection through the removals company or buy a specialist transit policy. Photograph items, keep receipts, and record serial numbers to support any claim, and check packing requirements so you don’t invalidate the cover.
What removals insurance Stokes Removals provides and why it matters
Removals companies commonly offer goods-in-transit cover and public liability. Goods-in-transit protects your possessions against things like collision, fire, or theft while they’re being moved; public liability covers injury to third parties or damage to third-party property during the move.
Goods-in-transit policies can have declared-value limits and exclusions for poor packing or pre-existing damage, so it’s important to know the mover’s cover and where your home policy must fill the gaps.
At Stokes Removals & Storage, a family-run, fully insured BAR member, we offer professional packing, secure loading and storage options, and we can supply proof of our insurance on request.
Below is a simple comparison of typical removal company cover versus what a homeowner’s policy often provides during a move:
Introductory note: This table compares common removals company insurance types with what homeowner policies often provide during a move.
| Coverage Holder | Coverage Type | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Removal company | Goods in transit | Loss or damage while items are in the mover’s vehicle (subject to declared limits) |
| Removal company | Public liability | Injury to people or damage to third-party property during the move |
| Homeowner | Contents in transit clause | Varies by insurer; may require professional movers and include per-item caps |
Goods in transit insurance and how it protects your possessions
Goods in transit is a commercial policy that covers customer possessions while a professional carrier is moving them from one property to another. It typically covers defined perils, road accident, theft from the vehicle, fire, but frequently excludes damage from poor packing, gradual wear, or vermin.
To boost protection, you can declare higher values with the mover or buy specified-item cover for expensive pieces. Keep inventories and photographs to support any claim. For very valuable items, ask for specialist declared-value cover or specified-item wording in the mover’s insurance documents.
How BAR membership helps with liability and consumer protection
BAR membership (British Association of Removers) shows the company follows industry standards and the CTSI-approved BAR Code of Practice, giving clearer complaint handling and extra consumer protections beyond insurance alone.
Membership doesn’t replace a policy, but it does mean the firm operates to recognised standards, is likely to supply policy evidence, and follows a structured dispute process.
For peace of mind, ask your removals company for proof of goods-in-transit and public liability cover and note any declared-value limits before moving day.
How to check and use your existing home insurance for moving cover
Reviewing your home insurance for a move means finding the definition of “transit”, checking policy limits, conditions, and exclusions, then calling your insurer to confirm.
Policies vary: some automatically cover contents during a move, others only do so if professional movers are used, and many cap sums or exclude high-value items unless specified.
If your policy won’t cover the move, you can ask your insurer for a temporary transit policy, buy specialist transit insurance, or use the mover’s declared-value option.
Use this step-by-step checklist to review your policy quickly:
- Locate the transit and definition sections in the policy to see if “moving house” is covered.
- Check valuation limits and per-item caps to identify items that need declaring.
- Confirm conditions such as a requirement to use professional movers or specific packing standards.
These checks help you decide whether to top up cover or rely on the removals company’s policy.
Introductory note: The table below highlights the key policy items to verify and what to ask your insurer.
| Policy Element | What to Check in Policy | What to Do if Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Transit definition | Whether removals or transit are included, and the exact terms | Request temporary transit cover or arrange mover-declared value |
| Valuation limits | Per-item caps and overall transit sum insured | Declare high-value items or buy specified-item cover |
| Conditions | Requirements such as professional movers, packaging, or security | Obtain written confirmation from the insurer or use a BAR-member mover |
Home contents insurance with transit cover for removals
To check whether your contents policy includes transit cover, read the definitions and transit clauses for words like “removals” or “in transit” and look for any professional-mover requirement. Many insurers only extend transit cover when professional removals are used; others limit sums or require declared values for costly items.
If your policy lacks transit cover, arrange short-term specialist transit insurance or discuss declared-value options with your removals firm. When you call your insurer, give move dates, ask if transit is included, request per-item limits, and keep a record of the confirmation.
Transferring your home insurance to the new property
Transferring buildings or contents coverage to a new address is often possible, but you must notify the insurer promptly and confirm the new address, reinstatement value, and any unoccupied clauses. Transferring keeps continuity, but insurers may change the premium if the new property’s risk profile differs.
Notify them at the exchange or immediately on completion as required. Weigh continuity against potential mismatches in rebuild value, update the policy address, confirm the start date aligns with contractual responsibility, and get all changes in writing.
Special insurance considerations when moving home
Certain items need specialist treatment: jewellery, antiques, artwork, and some furniture often require specified-item cover or professional valuation to be fully insured during a move.
If you have storage gaps because of chain breaks or delays, you’ll usually need storage insurance that covers goods while they’re off-site and clarifies tenant responsibilities and declared values.
Good packing, clear photographs, and keeping purchase paperwork reduce disputes and speed up claims.
Introductory note: assess item risks and the cover you’ll need to avoid shortfalls during relocation and storage.
| Item Type | Risk | Recommended Cover/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Jewellery & watches | High theft/value concentration | Specified-item insurance with valuation; carry items on your person where safe |
| Antiques & artworks | Fragility and high restoration cost | Specialist declared-value cover and museum-grade packing |
| Electronics | Accidental damage in transit | Ensure transit cover includes accidental damage, and keep receipts |
How to ensure valuables and fragile items are protected during your move
Declare valuables clearly: arrange specified-item cover, get professional valuations if needed, and use professional packing to cut transit risk. Photographs, serial numbers, and receipts are essential evidence and should be stored separately from the items while you move.
Consider carrying very valuable items yourself or using the mover’s declared-value option to increase coverage for named goods. For peace of mind, ask the mover for proof of their goods-in-transit policy and itemised declared-value terms before moving day.
When and why you need temporary or storage insurance
Buy temporary storage insurance when completion delays, chain breaks, or renovations mean your goods enter short- or long-term storage, many standard home policies exclude off-site storage unless you declare it.
Storage cover normally covers fire, theft, and flood at the facility, but may exclude accidental damage or vermin, so check the provider’s liabilities and tenant responsibilities. Confirm the storage facility’s insurance and, if there are gaps, buy tenant cover that names individual items and declared values.
For insured packing, removal, or storage help, consider a reputable BAR member like Stokes Removals & Storage. We’re family-run, fully insured, and can provide a free, no-obligation quote aligned to your insurance needs.
- Request proof of the removals company’s goods-in-transit and public liability policies.
- Ask for declared-value options for high-value goods and get written confirmation.
- If storing, verify the facility’s insurance and buy tenant cover where gaps exist.
Following these steps helps keep your possessions protected at every stage of the move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do If My Current Home Insurance Policy Does Not Cover Moving?
If your policy doesn’t cover moving, contact your insurer to ask about a temporary transit extension or a short-term moving policy. You can also buy specialist transit insurance or see whether your removals company offers goods-in-transit cover that fills the gap. Compare costs and get any agreement in writing before the move.
How Can I Ensure My High-Value Items Are Adequately Insured During The Move?
For high-value items, arrange specified-item insurance that covers the full value, and obtain professional valuations where required. Use professional packing, photograph each item, and keep receipts and serial numbers. Consider carrying the most valuable items yourself or confirming a declared-value endorsement from the mover.
What Are The Risks Of Not Having Insurance During A Move?
Without insurance, you risk paying to replace lost, damaged, or stolen items yourself. You could also be liable for damage to third-party property or injury during the move. The right cover protects your possessions and limits unexpected costs during an already stressful time.
Can I Insure My Belongings While They Are In Storage During The Moving Process?
Yes. Many home policies exclude off-site storage unless declared, so it’s wise to buy a separate storage insurance policy that covers theft, fire, and flood at the facility. Check what the storage provider insures and whether you need tenant cover to fill any gaps.