Most people only think about removalist insurance after something has been damaged. The better time to ask is before you book, when you can still compare answers and decide whether you need anything extra.
Removalist insurance can be confusing because several different covers get grouped under the one word. Some protect your belongings, some protect people and property, and each has its own exclusions. This guide explains what each one does and how it works on a Wecube Removals move.
The Three Covers Worth Asking About
Transit insurance (sometimes called goods in transit insurance) protects your belongings against loss or damage while they’re being carried from one address to the other.
Public liability insurance covers accidental damage or injury caused by the removalist while they’re working, such as a scraped wall in the building foyer or a damaged lift door. This is the cover your body corporate usually wants to see on a certificate of currency.
Accidental damage protection covers belongings that are accidentally damaged during loading, transport or unloading.
At Wecube Removals, our moves include transit insurance, public liability cover and accidental damage protection as standard. Every policy has its own terms, so we’ll confirm the cover that applies to your particular move when we quote.
What Transit Cover Usually Covers
Transit cover is designed for the risks of the journey. Depending on the policy wording, that generally includes loss or damage caused by events such as a road accident, fire or theft while your goods are on the truck.
On an interstate move, that cover matters more, simply because your belongings spend longer on the road. If your load shares a truck or passes through a depot on the way, it’s also handled more times. It’s worth asking whether your goods stay on one truck from door to door, and whether the same cover applies the whole way.
Common Exclusions
Every policy is different, but these are the exclusions that come up most often across removalist insurance:
- Wear and tear, and damage that was already there before the move
- Mechanical or electrical faults in appliances and electronics, unless there’s visible damage from the move
- Broken contents in boxes you packed yourself, where the box itself arrives undamaged
- Cash, jewellery, documents and similar valuables
- Perishable food, plants and pets
- Items that shouldn’t be on the truck at all, such as gas bottles and fuel
That’s why we recommend keeping valuables, documents and irreplaceable items with you in the car.
Does Insurance Cover Boxes I Packed Myself?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked. The short answer is that self-packed boxes are often treated differently.
When you pack a box yourself, the removalist can’t see how the contents were wrapped or whether the box was strong enough. If a box arrives in perfect condition but a glass inside is broken, many policies treat that as a packing issue rather than a transit issue. If the box itself is crushed or damaged in the move, it’s a different story.
If you have fragile or valuable items such as glassware, artwork or electronics, ask about professional packing for those pieces, even if you pack the rest of the house yourself. It’s usually the most cost-effective way to protect the things that matter most.
Where Home Contents Insurance Fits
Your own home and contents policy may also cover your belongings during a move, but many policies limit or exclude items in transit. Call your insurer before moving day and ask:
- Are my belongings covered while they’re on a removalist’s truck?
- Does the cover change if I’m moving interstate?
- Do I need to tell you my moving date and new address in advance?
Between your own policy and your removalist’s cover, you should have a clear picture of who covers what before anything leaves the house.
How We Handle It if Something Goes Wrong
We take care to prevent damage in the first place: furniture is wrapped, loads are secured, and our crews plan around stairs, lifts and tight corners before moving day. Our customer reviews say a lot about how our crews look after people’s belongings.
If something is damaged, the most important thing is to let us know as soon as you notice it. Take photos of the item and any packaging, keep the damaged item until the claim is resolved, and check your belongings against the inventory when they arrive. Our team will explain the next steps and help you with the paperwork.
Questions to Ask Any Removalist
Whoever you book, these questions will tell you a lot:
- Which insurance covers are included in my quote, and which are optional?
- What is the excess if I make a claim?
- How are boxes I pack myself treated?
- Can you send a certificate of currency for my building?
- How quickly do I need to report damage?
We cover these checks and more in our guide on how to choose a removalist. If you’re moving overseas rather than interstate, cover works differently again, and our international removals insurance page explains the options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removalist insurance cover damage?
It depends on the type of cover and what caused the damage. Transit insurance covers loss or damage while your belongings are being moved, subject to the policy’s terms and exclusions. Public liability covers damage to property, such as walls and lifts. At Wecube, transit insurance, public liability and accidental damage protection are included as standard.
What is transit insurance for removals?
Transit insurance, also called goods in transit insurance, protects your belongings against loss or damage while they’re being carried between addresses. It’s designed for the risks of the journey, such as accidents, fire or theft.
Are my belongings insured during an interstate move?
With Wecube, yes. Our standard cover applies to interstate moves as well as local ones. Ask us to confirm the details for your move when we quote, and check your own home and contents policy too.
Does insurance cover boxes I packed myself?
Often not in the same way as boxes packed by the removalist. If a self-packed box arrives undamaged but the contents are broken, many policies won’t cover it. Professional packing for fragile items is the safest option.
Want to know exactly how your move is covered? Request a free quote or call our team on 0423 690 837.