Moving can be a stressful experience, not to mention the fact that your property could be damaged, lost or stolen during the process. Even with the best professional services employed, accidents can happen, hence it is wise to safeguard against them. This is where moving insurance comes in, which is financial protection against unforeseen losses when transporting your items during relocation.
It may come as a surprise, but many professional movers do not offer any form of insurance coverage when moving their clients’ property; which is typically left to chance. This clearly is an issue, especially when there is an accident (or an incident) during the transportation phase of a move. For peace of mind, we recommend that you research moving companies, and opt for a professional service provider that carries some form of insurance for your property, and not simply for their vehicles. Having movers insurance will help movers offer a better service when handling your items. It will also put them in a position to be more responsive when dealing with incidents that involve your property in their custody.
If you are considering the services of a professional mover that claims to have insurance coverage to protect your items, it is critical to get more information and it is recommended that you ask the following questions:
- What type of insurance coverage do you offer concerning my items?
- Do you offer Goods-In Transit Insurance or simply Auto Insurance?
- What types of scenarios or damages are covered under your policy?
- What is the maximum amount you pay out if a claim is made against your service?
- Do you provide special coverage for invaluable items such as jewelry, high end equipment, or art work?
- Am I allowed to get insurance from a third party or do I have to go with your offering?
It is also important to know that in Nigeria, moving companies are not required by law to offer movers insurance to their clients, so it is important to do your due diligence and ask questions to determine the level of coverage offered, and ascertain the level of risk you might be taking with a moving company. Truth be told, if you do not ask, then their liabilities are completely off the table. At a minimum, be sure to ask your potential service provider about Goods–In-Transit insurance, which covers your items during the transportation phase of a move.