Every year tens of thousands of moves take place in Spain and, although the vast majority go off without serious incidents, breakages, scratches and lost items happen more often than people think. According to industry figures, roughly 45% of moves record some kind of material damage. Moving insurance exists precisely for that: so a one-off accident doesn’t turn into a financial problem.
But do you really know what your moving company covers and what falls outside? Many customers assume a level of protection they don’t actually have, or pay for unnecessary coverage because no one properly explained the options. This article clears it all up.
› What exactly is moving insurance?
› What a standard moving insurance policy covers
› What it usually doesn’t cover: the most common exclusions
› When it’s worth taking out extra coverage
› How a claim works step by step
› Frequently asked questions about moving insurance
What exactly is moving insurance?
Moving insurance is a policy that covers material damage your belongings may suffer during the move: loading, transport, unloading and, in some cases, temporary storage. It’s worth distinguishing between two concepts that are often confused.
The first is the carrier’s liability coverage, which is the minimum, legally mandatory coverage for any goods transport company. It responds to damage caused by the carrier’s negligence, but its scope is limited and, in many contracts, compensation is calculated by kilograms transported rather than by the item’s actual value.
The second is supplementary or “all-risk” insurance, which offers much broader protection and covers the actual or agreed value of your goods, regardless of who caused the damage. This is the option industry professionals recommend for moves of any significant size.
What a standard moving insurance policy covers
A standard policy mainly covers damage during loading and unloading, accidental knocks or drops in transit and total or partial loss of the cargo. It also typically includes damage caused by traffic accidents and by weather events during the move.
The exact scope varies by insurer and contract type, which is why it’s important to read the terms carefully before signing. Some plans also include coverage during time in a storage unit, which is especially useful when there’s a gap of weeks or months between leaving the origin and arriving at the destination.
For international moves, coverage usually extends to the risks inherent in sea or air transport: humidity, customs handling and transshipments. Here, insurance stops being optional and becomes a genuine necessity.
What it usually doesn’t cover: the most common exclusions
Exclusions are where the most unpleasant surprises appear. The most common one is undeclared items: if you don’t tell the company you’re moving a 19th-century porcelain dinner set or high-end audio gear, they’ll likely fall outside any claim.
Damage from poor packing done by the customer is usually not covered either. If you pack your fragile items yourself without the right materials, the company has grounds to reject the claim. Cash, jewelry, documents and works of art require a specific declaration and, normally, special coverage.
Other commonly excluded items include normal wear and tear, pre-existing damage and second-hand goods whose market value is hard to appraise. Always review the contract and don’t leave any valuable item undeclared.
When it’s worth taking out extra coverage
The short answer: almost whenever the total value of your goods exceeds the basic coverage included in the contract. The mandatory minimum coverage is fine for local moves with standard furniture, but it falls short as soon as the assets you’re moving start to carry some weight.
There are situations where extra coverage pays for itself: long-distance or international moves, moves that include high-end electronics, musical instruments, collections or antiques, corporate moves with IT equipment and any case where the move involves a storage unit for an extended period.
All-risk coverage typically costs between 1% and 3% of the total declared value of your goods. Compared with the value of what you’re protecting, the investment is more than reasonable. Think of it this way: how much would it cost to replace your 65-inch TV, your work computer or your book collection if they disappeared or got damaged?
How a claim works step by step
If you spot any damage when your furniture or boxes arrive:
First, put it in writing at the time of delivery, before signing the delivery note. This step is decisive: signing without reservations can be read as accepting the goods in good condition.
Next, document the damage with detailed photographs and keep all the items exactly as they arrived until the claim is settled. The insurer or carrier will ask you for the moving contract, the inventory of goods, the photographs and, in many cases, invoices or appraisals proving the value of the damaged item.
Deadlines matter. The law states that reservations for visible damage must be reported at the time of delivery, and hidden damage within a maximum of seven days. After that, the claim loses legal force.
Working with a reputable company makes all the difference in this process. Mudanzas Trallero handles incidents transparently and supports the customer from the very first moment, helping with the necessary paperwork and the contact with the insurer.
Frequently asked questions about moving insurance
Am I required to take out extra insurance? No. The basic carrier’s liability coverage is mandatory for the company, but you’re not obligated to buy anything more. The decision is yours and depends on the value of your goods.
What happens if I pack my own things? If you do the packing yourself, the company may be exempt from liability for damage caused by inadequate packing. Professional packing, on the other hand, ensures your items travel properly protected and that the coverage remains valid.
Does the insurance also cover a storage unit? It depends on the contract. Some policies include it; others explicitly exclude it or cover it only for a limited period. Confirm this point before signing, especially if your move involves a storage period.
How do I know if the declared value is enough? Make a realistic inventory of your belongings before the move and assign a replacement value to each category. Don’t lowball it: in the event of a claim, you’ll only receive the amount you declared, never more.
Protect what matters before the move
A well-chosen moving insurance policy is one of the smartest decisions you can make before a move. It’s not about distrusting your moving company; it’s about having a safety net for the unexpected. Accidents happen, and when they do, what makes the difference is having taken precautions in time.
Review what coverage your contract includes, declare the value of your goods correctly and, if in doubt, consult professionals before deciding. Mudanzas Trallero can guide you through the available options and help you choose the protection that best fits your move.
Find out how to better protect your move and request a quote.
