Your whole life is in that container
When you move an entire household overseas, everything you own spends weeks in a container, passing through trucks, warehouses, ports, and a ship. Most moves arrive without a scratch. But if something goes wrong, the protection you assume you have is usually far smaller than you think.
The short answer: buy a separate all-risk marine insurance policy, insure at replacement value, and back it with a detailed valued inventory. Carrier liability alone is not insurance, and your homeowner’s or renter’s policy usually stops at the front door.
Here’s how to do it right.
Carrier liability vs. real insurance
The most common mistake is assuming the shipping line or airline will pay for what it loses or breaks. By law, their liability is tightly capped, and you usually have to prove they were negligent before they pay anything.
| Protection | What it pays | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean carrier liability (U.S. COGSA) | Up to $500 per package or customary freight unit | A carrier may argue the entire container is one “package.” You must prove negligence. |
| Air carrier liability (Montreal Convention) | Up to 26 SDR per kg, about $35 per kg | A 30 kg box of heirlooms is capped near $1,000, regardless of value. |
| Total-loss-only marine insurance | Full declared value if the whole shipment is lost | Nothing for breakage, theft of a few cartons, or water damage. |
| All-risk marine insurance | Declared value for physical loss or damage from external causes, door to door | Exclusions apply, such as poor packing, wear and tear, and pre-existing damage. |
All-risk coverage also protects you from general average, a centuries-old maritime rule. If a ship has an emergency, such as a fire or grounding, every cargo owner on board shares the cost of saving the voyage. Even if your goods are untouched, you may have to post a cash deposit before they’re released. A good policy guarantees that contribution for you.
Best practices for insuring your household move
- Choose all-risk, not total loss. Total-loss-only coverage is cheaper, but most real-world claims are for a broken table or a missing carton, not a sunken ship.
- Insure at replacement value at destination. Ask what it would cost to buy each item again where you’re going, not what you paid years ago. Many policies settle household goods on actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation) unless you buy replacement-value coverage, so ask which applies.
- Build a valued inventory, room by room. List every item or box with a realistic value. Insurers commonly require it, and a vague “household goods: $40,000” makes claims hard to prove.
- List high-value items individually. Many policies cap payment per item or per box unless the item is declared separately. Art, antiques, rugs, instruments, and electronics should each have their own line, ideally with receipts or appraisals.
- Photograph and video everything before packing. Capture condition, serial numbers, and the backs of electronics. Date-stamped photos are your best evidence that damage happened in transit.
- Let professionals pack. Owner-packed boxes are often covered only for total loss. Professional packing and custom crates for fragile pieces keep your coverage broad and your claims clean.
- Ask about pairs and sets. If one chair in a set of eight is ruined, many policies pay only the reduced value of the set, not a full replacement. Know the clause before you move.
- Check what’s excluded. Typical exclusions include jewelry, cash, documents, mold from goods packed damp, mechanical breakdown, and pre-existing scratches or dents. Carry valuables with you.
- Confirm storage coverage. Many policies are strictly door to door. If your goods will sit in a warehouse between homes, extend the policy to cover it.
- Know your deductible and the price. All-risk premiums for household goods often run roughly 1% to 3% of declared value, with deductibles commonly in the $250 to $1,000 range. Compare policies on terms, not just price.
If something arrives damaged
A strong claim starts the moment the truck arrives:
- Note damage on the delivery receipt. Write down visibly damaged or missing cartons before you sign. “Received in good condition” signed without notes makes claims much harder.
- Photograph everything right away, including packaging, before you throw any of it out.
- Keep damaged items and materials until the insurer or surveyor says you can discard them.
- Report it fast. Policies set deadlines for notice, often days to a few weeks after delivery. Tell your forwarder immediately so they can notify the carrier and preserve your rights.
- Submit your documents: the valued inventory, photos, receipts or appraisals, and repair or replacement estimates.
Your forwarder should guide you through every step. That’s part of what you’re paying for.
Frequently asked questions
Does my homeowner’s insurance cover my move? Usually not for international transit, or only in limited ways. Check with your agent, but plan on buying a dedicated transit policy.
Is moving insurance worth the cost? For most households, yes. A premium of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars is small next to the cost of replacing furniture, electronics, and irreplaceable family pieces abroad.
Can I insure only certain items? Some policies allow it, but insuring the full shipment is simpler and avoids disputes over which box held what.
What about shipping a car with my household goods? Vehicles are usually insured separately, with their own valuation and terms. Declare them on their own line.
Policy terms vary by insurer and route. Always read your certificate and ask questions before you ship.
Move with confidence
Current International handles international relocations from start to finish, including virtual surveys, professional packing, custom crating, storage, and insurance options designed to protect your belongings in transit. Our team will help you build your valued inventory and choose the right coverage before anything leaves your home. Request a quote or call (424) 422-1308.