Every removal quote says it includes "insurance". Then your TV gets dropped and you discover the cover is £40 per item. Removals insurance has three completely different forms, each with different limits, exclusions and price implications — and most homeowners only learn the difference after they've made a claim. This guide explains the three types of cover, what's typically excluded, and the four questions to ask before you book.
The three types of removal cover
1. Standard Liability / Basic Carrier's Cover
The cheapest, weakest cover. Most "no insurance hassle, included as standard" claims are this. Typical limits:
- Around £40 per item maximum (commonly cited "£40 per article" cap — common across the trade)
- Covers loss or damage caused by the remover's negligence only
- Doesn't cover acts of God, fire, theft from secured premises, or damage in transit unless directly caused by carrier negligence
- Doesn't cover self-packed boxes (where you packed the items yourself)
What it means in practice: a 65-inch TV (worth £800) dropped by the crew = around £40 payout. Useless for anything valuable, and yet this is the cover most "cheap" quotes default to.
2. Goods in Transit (GiT) Insurance
Carrier's commercial insurance that covers your goods while they're in the remover's vehicle and care. Most reputable Cornwall removers carry GiT cover, typically £10,000 to £50,000 per vehicle. Key points:
- Covers loss or damage during loading, transit and unloading
- Per-vehicle limit, not per-customer — if your load shares a van with someone else's, the limit is shared
- Usually requires the goods to be in the vehicle for cover to apply — so doesn't cover items still in your house or already in the new house
- Typically excludes: damage to self-packed boxes (no proof of packing standard), high-value items unless declared, IT equipment unless declared and in original packaging, cash, jewellery
Better than basic liability, but it's the remover's commercial cover, not a policy in your name. Claims process via the remover, not directly with the insurer.
3. Full Removals Insurance / "All Risks" Cover
The comprehensive option. A policy in your name covering your goods throughout the move — packing, transit, storage and unpacking. Sometimes called "comprehensive cover", "marine cover" (a historical name from shipping insurance), or "all risks". Typical features:
- Covers full replacement value of declared items
- Includes accidental damage, breakage, loss, theft and (usually) fire and storage
- Covers goods from packing through to unpacking at destination
- Usually offered as an add-on by the remover (broker arrangement) or sourced separately
- Premium typically 0.5%-1.5% of declared value (so £500-£1,500 covers £100k of goods, very roughly)
- Still has exclusions: self-packed boxes often excluded or restricted, certain high-value items need declaration
For anything bigger than a 1-bed move where you have decent contents, this is the cover worth paying for.
Comparison at a glance
| Cover type | Typical limit | Covers | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Liability | ~£40 per item | Direct carrier negligence only | Included as standard |
| Goods in Transit | £10k-£50k per vehicle | Loading, transit, unloading | Usually included (remover's cover) |
| Full / All Risks | Declared full value | Packing through unpacking | 0.5-1.5% of declared value |
BAR members and what their cover means
The British Association of Removers (BAR) is the trade body for UK removers. BAR members agree to a code of practice and provide consumer protections including the Advanced Payment Guarantee (your deposit is protected if the company goes bust before the move). BAR members typically offer Standard Terms which include Goods in Transit cover, with All Risks cover available as a paid upgrade.
Importantly, BAR membership doesn't dictate a single insurance amount — each member sets their own cover limits. Some offer £10,000 standard, others £25,000 or more, some go higher again for premium service tiers. Always ask for the specific figure in writing.
To find a BAR member: search the directory at bar.co.uk. Not all good Cornwall removers are BAR members (annual fees deter smaller firms), but BAR membership is a useful signal of professionalism if you're nervous about a long-distance move.
What's typically excluded
1. Self-packed boxes
If you packed the box, most removers won't cover damage to contents because they can't verify you packed it properly. The exception: a box you packed, the remover then re-wraps or palletises, and the damage is clearly external impact rather than internal packing failure. If you want fragile items covered, either let the remover pack them or accept the risk yourself.
2. High-value items unless declared
Most policies cap individual item value (often £500-£1,500) unless you declare higher-value items in advance. Items typically requiring declaration:
- Jewellery, watches, precious metals
- Art, antiques, collectibles
- High-end electronics (£1k+ TVs, professional cameras)
- Designer furniture, original art
- Musical instruments above a threshold
Declare these in writing with values. If you can, transport jewellery, cash, passports and small valuables in your own car rather than the removal van.
3. Cash, securities, deeds
Almost universally excluded. Never put cash in the van. Sounds obvious; people still do it.
4. IT equipment without original packaging
Many policies exclude or restrict cover on PCs, laptops, servers, and bulky electronics if they're not in original packaging (or specialist transit boxes). For a small office or a homeworker's setup, ask the remover specifically how IT is covered. Pay for professional packing of IT if you want full cover. See our office removals page for commercial setups.
5. Items in storage beyond cover period
If your goods go into storage between completion dates, the insurance often switches from "transit" cover to "storage" cover, with different limits and exclusions (fire, flood, theft). Check storage cover specifically if your move includes a storage period.
6. Mechanical or electrical damage to functioning items
A fridge that stops working a week after the move — is that the remover's fault, or just an old fridge? These claims are difficult. Visible damage from impact is easier to claim. Functional failure usually isn't covered unless you can directly attribute it to a transit incident.
7. Wear and tear, pre-existing damage
The remover's pre-move inventory notes existing damage (scratched table top, dented washing machine). Claims for those items will be rejected because they were pre-damaged. Photograph everything before the crew arrives — your own evidence beats their inventory if there's a dispute.
Four questions to ask before booking
- What's the per-item and total claim limit on your standard cover? If they say "£40 per item", you know what you're dealing with. If they say "£25,000 total, no individual item limit unless declared", that's much better.
- What's excluded? Specifically: self-packed boxes, IT equipment, items not in original packaging, items above £X individual value. Get the answer in writing.
- How do I declare high-value items, and at what cost? A good remover will have a declaration process and a clear premium for "All Risks" upgrade. A bad one will mumble about how it's "covered by general insurance".
- What's the claims process? How long after the move can you raise a claim? Most policies require notification within 7 days of delivery. Do you claim via the remover, or direct with the insurer? Get the contact details.
Is full removals insurance worth it?
For most moves: yes, if your contents are worth more than £20k total. The premium is usually small (£100-£400 for a typical 3-bed) compared to the cost of replacing anything significant. For a 1-bed flat with student-grade furniture, basic carrier's cover may be sufficient. For a fully-furnished family home with art, china, antiques and high-end electronics, comprehensive cover is essential.
What your home insurance covers (and doesn't)
Some home contents policies extend cover to "removal in transit" — usually with limits (£5,000-£20,000 typical) and conditions (move within UK, professional remover, declared in advance). Check your policy schedule under "removal of contents" or "moving home". A few advantages:
- You already have the policy and pay the premium
- Claims go through your existing insurer, who you know
- Useful as a backup if the remover's cover refuses a claim
Disadvantages: limits are often lower than declared-value commercial cover, exclusions are similar, and your no-claims discount may take a hit.
Claim process (if it goes wrong)
- Note damage on the inventory before the crew leaves. Get the crew lead to sign or initial it. Photograph damage with phone date/time stamp.
- Notify the remover in writing within 7 days. Email is fine — gives you a date-stamped record.
- Get a repair or replacement quote. For furniture, a quote from a local restorer; for electronics, a like-for-like replacement from a retailer.
- Submit the claim with evidence. Photos, inventory notes, quotes, receipts where possible.
- If rejected and you think it's wrong: Escalate via the BAR Dispute Resolution Scheme (if the remover is a BAR member), Trading Standards, or small claims court for amounts under £10,000.
Special cases: storage, office and international moves
Three scenarios that need explicit insurance attention:
- Storage as part of the move. If your stuff goes into storage between completions, ask whether storage cover is automatic, what the limit is, and what's covered (fire, theft, flood). See our storage page for context on container vs warehouse options.
- Office removals. Commercial moves have additional considerations — server downtime, employee personal effects, leased equipment. Most office removers offer dedicated commercial cover. See our office removals page.
- International moves. Cornwall to Europe or further afield needs Marine Cargo insurance specifically. Goods in Transit cover usually does not extend beyond UK borders.
For more on choosing a remover, see our 2026 pricing guide, 8-week checklist, and house removals service page.