Removals insurance - why?

dunroving

Smodlet wrote: »

Please, dunroving, get at least three quotes and ask around for recommendations. I can't tell you what a difference a decent removal firm make to what is usually a stressful day (or two) even when moving to your dream home.

Two removals ago, great, could not fault them, they did all the packing (in a tiny fraction of the time it would have taken us) Last move, different firm, absolutely atrocious, made what was already the worst day of our lives far worse than it needed to be. Research now saves pain later. Best of luck with your move.

I have three more companies coming round between now and next Tuesday. ;-)

I have had some awful experiences previously (international moves). I now look at the experience of moving house as purely business. By all means make the boys a cup of tea, but no more being all lovey-dovey laughing and joking.

I even had one where the shipping container was unpacked (i.e., the boxes were unloaded but the contents were not unpacked) and I was then asked to sign a release saying everything was delivered. Surprise, surprise, there were three boxes missing (it was a partial load on a shipping container so presumably my load was mixed up with someone else's). Because I had signed off, I had no recourse (but the movers didn't tell me I would have to sign the release, otherwise I'd have been ticking off boxes as they came through the door!)

liquoricet

Hi we're moving next week. My removals company suggested checking with home insurance and it was included except 'scratches, dents, documents and fragile items.' Since removal company's quote was £70 and included this we've paid it.

Our local move (3bed) including packing was £1200, so that sounds a bit high.

dunroving

I thought I'd update as I get various quotes and feedback from movers. The following is a ballpark estimate from company number 2.

Move "in a oner" (i.e., no storage) £1,550 including insurance [see comment about insurance below]. Packing extra, at £75/hr, with an estimate of 4 hours to pack the whole house, or 1-2 hours for only fragile items and other awkward items. So, to equate to the Pickfords quote, it would be ca. £1,700, including insurance.

A two part move would be ca. £780 to local storage and then as above to reload and move to Birmingham.

Interestingly, I am still waiting on the two-part move quote from Pickfords (I may sell, and then buy, necessitating storage of items).

Also, interestingly, I asked the guy from company 2 about how the insurance works if there was no-fault damage (if someone else rammed the truck, for example), and he didn't know. He's going to look into it, though!

Also, very interestingly, if I can be flexible by a few days, he can knock off £300-£400 from the quote as he has more people moving up from London than moving down .. I like that possibility as I will be very flexible if I buy, then sell (which I am now thinking of - head spinning on its axis)..

[Deleted User]

I would be careful with relying on a removal firm paying for any goods they damage. They can have hidden in the small print a clause that gives a miniscule maximum amount they are culpable for.

If you were to get additional removals insurance, I'd look for quotes online. Getting it from a removals company is usually going to be the most expensive option (think commission plus plus).

And again, read carefully all the small print.