Do I Need Removalist Insurance In NSW? What's Actually Covered
Most people assume that because their removalisty is “insured”, everything going into the truck is covered. It’s a reasonable assumption – but it’s not always how it works. Before moving day, it’s worth taking five minutes to understand what your removalist’s insurance actually covers, and whether there’s anything you need to arrange yourself.
The short answer is: it depends on the removalist. Some include full goods-in-transit cover as standard. Others carry public liability only. And without asking the right questions, you might not find out the difference until something gets damaged.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
What Insurance do removalists carry?
Most professional removalists in NSW carry two types of insurance:
Public liability insurance covers damage to property that belongs to someone else – think scuffed walls, a broken stair rail, or a damaged doorframe during the move. It protects the removalist (and you) if something in the building gets damaged in the process. This is the most common form of cover and the minimum you should expect from any legitimate operator.
Goods-in-transit insurance is the one that actually covers your belongings while they’re being moved. Not every removalist carries, and the ones that do may have different levels of cover. This is the policy worth asking about – and unfortunately the one most people forget to ask about until after something goes wrong.
Understanding the difference between these two policies is the foundation of making an informed decision before you book.
What does goods-in-transit cover?
When a removalist carries goods-in-transit insurance, it generally covers:
- Accidental damage to your items during loading, transport and unloading
- Loss due to fire, flood or vehicle accident during transit
- Damage caused by the removalist’s handling
What it typically does not cover:
- Items packed yourself (damage to contents of self-packed boxes is usually excluded)
- Pre-existing damage to furniture or appliances
- Fragile or high-value items unless specifically declared
- Items left in a property after the move is complete
- Mechanical or electrical failure of appliances that were working before the move
The specifics vary between policies, so it’s always worth asking your removalist exactly what their goods-in-transit policy includes – and getting it in writing if you can.
Are you automatically covered as a customer?
Not always – and this is where a lot of people get caught out.
Some removalists carry goods-in-transit insurance as a standard part of their service. Others carry public liability only, which means your belongings aren’t covered unless you arrange your own policy. And some offer goods-in-transit as an optional add-on at an extra cost.
The problem is that many removalists advertise themselves as “fully insured” without being specific about what that means. Public liability is a form of insurance, so technically the statement is true – but it tells you nothing about whether your dining table is covered if it gets dropped off the truck.
At Nova Relocations, we’re upfront about what coverage applied to your move. After 15 years and three generations in the removal industry, we understand that your belongings aren’t just furniture – they’re the things that make a house feel like a home. We’d rather have a straight conversation about insurance before moving day than an uncomfortable one after.
What about high-value or fragile items?
Even with a comprehensive goods-in-transit policy, high-value items often require special consideration.
Most standard removalist policies have a per-item or per-claim limit. If you own a piece of artwork, antique furniture or specialist equipment worth more than the limit, you may not be fully covered even if a claim is accepted. The same applies to items with significant sentimental value – insurance can replace monetary value, but not everything.
For fragile items like large mirrors, glass-topped tables or delicate ceramics, how they’re packed matters as much as the policy. Professional removalists use purpose-built packing materials and techniques, but if you pack fragile items yourself, most policies won’t cover breakage inside the bo – even if the item clearly moved during transit.
If you have anything of particular value, flag it with your removalist before moving day so it can be handled, packed and documented appropriately.
Should you take out your own contents insurance?
For most moves, yes – especially if you have high-value items.
Your existing home and contents policy may already cover your belongings during a move, so check with your insurer before you book anything additional. Some policies include transit cover automatically; others require you to notify them of a move date or purchase a short-term extension.
A few things worth checking with you insurer:
- Does your policy covers items in transit, or only items at a fixed address?
- Is there a time limit on how long items can be in storage between properties?
- Are high-value items listed separately and covered at their full replacement value?
For items of significant value – artwork, antiques, specialist equipment, jewellery – it’s worth arranging specific cover regardless of what your removalist carries. Specialist moving insurance is available for high-value household moves and is generally more affordable than most people expect.
What happens if something is damaged?
If something does get damaged during your move, the process generally works like this:
- Document it immediately. Photograph the damage before anything is moved further of cleaned up. Note the condition of items on any delivery receipt before you sign it.
- Notify your removalist promptly. Most policies require damage to be reported within a specific timeframe – sometimes as little as 24 to 48 hours. Don’t wait.
- Check whose policy applies. Depending on how the damage occured and what cover is in place, the claim may go through the removalist’s goods-in-transit policy or you own contents insurance.
- Keep your receipts. For any items of value, having proof of purchase or a recent valuation will support your claim significantly.
A professional removalist with take damage claims seriously and work with you through the process. If a company becomes difficult to contact after something goes wrong, that’s a sign they weren’t the right choice to begin with.
Questions to ask your removalist before moving day
Before you sign anything, get clear answers to these:
- Do you carry goods-in-transit insurance or public liability only?
- Are self-packed boxes covered under you policy?
- Are there any exclusions I should know about for fragile or high-value items?
- What is the per-item or per-claim limit on you goods-in-transit policy?
- What’s the claims process if something is damaged during the move?
- How quickly do I need to report damage to be eligible to make a claim?
A good removalist will answer these without hesitation. If the answer is vague, that tells you something.
Moving in Newcastle? Get a straight answer from the start.
Nova Relocations has been moving Newcastle families and businesses for over 15 years. We’re a family-run team built on honesty, and that starts with being clear about what’s covered before we load a single box.
Get a free quote from Nova Relocations and ask us anything – insurance included.