Home removal insurance

HalfPint

I'd appreciate some advise please.

We've just exchanged and completing in the next 2 weeks. We're moving 400 miles. We have had 2 quotes from removal firms and both have come back at just over £3k :eek:

Company B includes insurance and the company A is quoting insurance at an additional cost of £300 approx, making them nearly £500 more expensive than company B. The premium is expensive for the level of cover offered (current market value as opposed to new for old). They both are well respected companies with excellent reputations.

I've checked with my home insurers, they offer removal cover but only for 24 hours, ours is a 2 to 3 day removal.

I've been hunting on google to see if there are any independent insurers that will cover us for the removal if we use company A, which is hubbys preferred choice. I want to save money but have not had much luck finding anything. Can anyone help point me in the right direction please or is what I'm asking non-existent?

Many thanks.

HP x

hazyjo

Are these massive standard removals lorries, or smaller vehicles?! 2-3 days? Jeez... I thought I had a lot of stuff!


Are you currently renting with an overlap in moving dates?


I've never paid insurance on top, the removals firm has always just included it.


Jx

HalfPint

quotes are based on volume estimate of 1.5 cu ft. We don't have masses of stuff, were moving from a 2 bed flat (albeit a big flat) to a 3 bed house. We complete in England on the 12th and on the 13th in Scotland. One is a local firm, the other a national firm.

davidmcn

That's the same sort of premium you'd pay to insure your contents for a whole year. Is it worth it, and what does it cover? (bearing in mind your standard rights if your stuff is e.g. damaged by the removal company's negligence)

hazyjo

Should definitely be able to fit all that in one lorry. I moved from a four storey four bed house to a 3 bed with one lorry. I have a LOT of stuff. Is there a reason they can't go from England to Scotland in a larger vehicle?


Why 2-3 trips? If you're not renting, you won't be able to do it over 2-3 days so where's all your stuff going once you complete?


Or are they saying they'd fill one van but have to stop overnight which is why the price/insurance is high? Could understand that with the price of accommodation for several people and expenses, time, etc.


Jx

BJV

I would speak to the removal company. You may be able to find an add on insurance but £2-3,000 is a lot of money and I am sure that they should be able to move a little?

HalfPint

Thanks Hazyjo it's not 2 to 3 trips, its one vehicle, one trip and includes an overnight stop. Both companies are charging me for a 3 day removal, which is understandable. Both are BAR registered companies.

Thanks BJV, going to speak to them tomorrow and see if they can move on the price.

glasgowdan

So they load up one afternoon, go back to their depot. Drive to Scotland the next morning and offload that evening. Then kip overnight and come back the third day? Does this include a packing service?

I'd still try one or two more quotes if I were you. And I'd definitely not be too fussed about the extra insurance.

HalfPint

Thanks Glasgowdan. Yes that's basically it. If I don't take the insurance they will only cover me up to £40 per item. They describe an item as 'one box' or large object. So basically if they smash the telly or a whole box of plates I get £40 quid. Now while I can get a decent dinner service for 40 quid I ain't gonna get a tv lol.

Saying that their added insurance isn't 'new for old' they will only cover up to the current value. So my telly is about 4 years old and probably worth about 50 quid! If I don't take their added insurance, what are my rights in the event of loss?

Thanks.

HalfPint

Meant to add, no the price doesn't include a packing service.

dc197

Double check what will be covered. Many firms will not cover items in boxes that they did not pack themselves, or only cover a bare minimum. The firm i used also mentioned 40 quid as their standard.
This is to ensure you don't pack a broken item and claim they broke it, it pack a Ming vase wrapped only in tissue paper.