Goods in Transit and Public Liability Insurance
September 18, 2018
Even during the most well-planned move, a lot can go wrong, which doesn’t have to be purely due to a lack of organisation; an accident on the road or mispacked belongings can quickly become an expensive problem. A transit insurance policy is crucial when this happens, or you could be in serious financial trouble.
Asking about the number of goods in transit cover a removal company can offer is just as important as checking the reviews. Any professional company that is even worth considering should have insurance to cover its employees and your belongings when they are en route to your new home.
Remember, unless they can offer ‘Goods in Transit Insurance’ (GIT insurance) and ‘Public Liability Insurance’ (PLI), a removal company is not worth considering as you will not be protected during your move.
It will help if you remember that anything that goes wrong for your movers could happen far more quickly to any people you may ask to help with the move as a favour. In addition, casual movers, friends or white van men are unlikely to be adequately insured, which means that any damage during your move could put a severe dent in your bank account.
Before we continue, it is worth advising you to familiarise yourself with the value of your goods before they get packed away. Your removal company should be able to offer coverage that meets your needs, or you will only be able to recover some of what you lose, which is particularly important for any valuable, personal or fragile belongings.
In addition, removal companies may have to schedule speciality packaging or additional equipment, depending on anything unusual you have to transport. Remember, giving your removal company a complete list of what you want to transport will make things far easier for everyone.
With that in mind, here is what you need to know about insurance for moving house.
Goods in Transit Insurance
GIT is designed to cover your belongings against theft, loss or damage while being transported via vehicle. It can even protect them if they need to be left in the vehicle overnight, provided it is locked properly.
One thing to keep in mind is that while your removal company may have insured their vehicle, the contents are another story. GIT is usually considered optional, though any reputable company should have it.
If you are making an international move, you should also ask whether your removal company’s policy offers European or international coverage. Be warned; many more things can go wrong when belongings are sent halfway around the world.
It is also worth letting your removal company know if you transport any particularly fragile or valuable items, such as antiques, which should give them time to get additional cover if necessary.
Public Liability Insurance
If your movers are injured or cause any damage to your property during the removal, an active public liability insurance policy will ensure that they don’t end up in significant financial trouble.
PLI is particularly important for larger companies with multiple vehicles and workers; if they have full-time employees, contractors, casual workers or temporary staff, they must legally have this type of cover.
Most of the time, your PLI insurance quote policy will cover the following:
- Goods valued up to a certain amount
- Storage cover
- Products liability
- Personal accidents
- European and international cover
- Roadside assistance
- Replacement vehicle
- Legal expenses
Naturally, this is fundamental for a professional removal company, but that does not mean you should take it for granted. Individual removal companies will decide on their maximum level of cover, so it is worth mentioning the value of your belongings in advance to identify if the policy is inadequate.
If you are organising a commercial move rather than a domestic one, it is also worth checking to ensure that your removal company’s policy will still cover you. When it comes to business insurance, little details are essential.
Making a claim for goods in transit
If you need to utilise an insurance policy, acting as quickly as possible is vital to avoid delays. Depending on your policy, you may have a relatively tight window to make a claim. After this point, it won’t be your insurance broker’s problem anymore.
You will likely be asked to provide specific documentation to ensure everything is legitimate. It is a good idea to put these documents to one side during your move, just in case you need them quickly:
- Claim form
- Supplier invoice/ proof of goods
- Repair/ replacement bill reflecting the value of the goods
- Police report (if applicable)
- Evidence that goods were in the vehicle at the time of the incident
Choosing a removal company
The right insurance policy should be one of your most prominent deciding factors when hiring a removal company.
Ideally, your final candidate’s policy should be able to:
- Cover your property and belongings against injury or accidental damage
- Cover your belongings while in transit, including overnight if necessary
- Cover European or international journeys, if appropriate
That said, it should not be the only reason for your choice. Generally speaking, it is best to ask for quotes from a few different removal companies as it should give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay. With AnyVan, our instant quote option lets you quickly get a quote for your move.
Another essential point to consider is how popular your choices are with their past customers. Remember, you want a removal company that will turn up on time, pack and transport your belongings efficiently and provide enough advice to ensure that you don’t let anything slip through the cracks. If reviewers have significant complaints about a candidate, looking elsewhere may be a good idea.
When booking with AnyVan, you’re covered by our Shipment Cargo Policy. With removal quotes starting from £59, it’s the best way to ensure you are covered.