Insurance
The insurance area of removals and storage can be misunderstood, often misinterpreted, and as it can be complicated, too many people find it easier to assume.
There is no such thing as “free insurance” for removals or anything else. Someone has to pay the premiums at some stage. Furthermore, it is impossible to obtain insurance without agreement on the risks to be covered and a declaration of the value of the goods covered.
People know that insuring their house does not automatically cover the contents, and that the contents premium varies on the contents value and that there is usually a string of exclusions. Some people expect their goods to be loaded onto a van, be covered for everything, with no exclusions, at no cost and no declaration of value.
The removalist vehicle’s insurance, compulsory third party, business public liability – none of these cover goods in transit. Goods in transit have to be covered under a quite different kind of insurance.
Customers can become confused because some removalists have a blanket insurance cover that they offer for “free” and then the costs are recouped from the removal. These covers are very basic and are often limited in value of payment on any one load.
It is essential that any customer, who believes that their goods are insured, or has been lead to believe so, apply the following simple control.
If you do not have the following:
- A written confirmation of insurance
- A statement of risks
- A statement of value cover
- A declaration of value of goods
Then YOU ARE NOT INSURED in a form that would stand a legal test.
Insurance for removals and storage is available but is not something that the customer has to have – it is at their cost. There are a number of alternatives. Firstly, removal insurance and storage insurance are different and will not necessarily cover the other.
Removal insurance will range from a basic form covering damage caused by an accident when the van is travelling, to more comprehensive covers. There are many pairs or sets of clauses; internal derangement of white goods (fridges, etc) or electronic goods (TV’s, etc) or musical instruments (pianos out of tune) will not be covered. Customers should check these points.
Insurance is usually available from competent removalists or the customer can make their own arrangements. Customers taking out their own insurance may use a broker, approach an insurance company or request an extension of their household policy to cover removal/storage. In these cases, beware of the easy term “Transit Insurance”. This will cover goods only en-route and only for consequences of fire, collision, overturning and flood – not scratches, rubs, leaking trucks etc.
The main insurance company used by many operators is Associated Marine, who handle nothing but transport insurance. They have offices all over the country, so that people moving interstate can deal locally.
Associated Marine offers three types of insurance cover. They produce literature that explains the types of covers in plain language. They also offer an extension of policy to cover storage up 180 days in 30-day stages. This is an excellent product as the customer is covered all the way through on one premium and policy Bay Removals can arrange the relevant insurance for your removal with Associated Marine.
FINAL WORDS
“Insurance is a waste of money, they never pay” can be more accurately translated as “I did not check the extent of cover”. In real human terms, people simply have so much to do when they move, that just the choice of insurance becomes the last straw of yet more decisions. Once again, some good advice – DO NOT ASSUME – get it in writing and deal with reliable people who can make it easier for you.