Cargo insurance is a property-protection instrument that shields household goods against damage, loss, and theft throughout every stage of a move — from loading through transport to final delivery at the new address.
A carrier's liability for goods in transit is limited by regulation, so without additional coverage the owner cannot recover the full replacement value of damaged or lost items. The policy applies at every phase — loading, transport, unloading — and reduces financial exposure when something arrives broken or goes missing.
Why Coverage Matters for Your Move
Full-Value OptionFull-value protection is an add-on for antiques, art and anything you could not simply replace.
Itemized ValuationItems listed at current replacement cost, not a single lump figure for the whole household.
Clear ClaimsA notice, photographs, and transport documents start the review process.
Carrier LiabilityBasic carrier liability coverage is included with every move.
Choose the right coverage before your move.Chicago & Illinois suburbs
Two options are available. Basic carrier liability coverage is included with every move. Full-value protection is an add-on worth choosing for antiques, art or anything you could not simply replace, and we walk you through both options before the truck is loaded.
Items are grouped by category and assessed at current replacement cost, not a symbolic lump sum for the whole household. Keeping receipts and photographs before the move simplifies the process later. The adjuster relies on this record when a claim is filed, so accurate detail at the inventory stage matters more than anything else.
Standard exclusions include natural wear, pre-existing defects, and damage caused by insufficient packaging on the owner's part. Force majeure and violations of agreed transport conditions may also fall outside the policy terms.
Count the pieces and inspect packaging before signing the delivery receipt. Mark visible damage on the document and photograph it before unpacking further. The carrier is notified within the deadline stated in the contract, and an adjuster compares the evidence against the inventory. The decision follows the assessment, and the payout reflects the documented loss.
Basic carrier liability sets a cap that often falls below the real replacement cost of furniture or appliances. Full value coverage raises that ceiling to reflect what items cost today. For shipments that include antiques, art, or expensive electronics, the gap between the two options is significant.
The best time is after the preliminary inventory but before final packing, when adjustments to coverage are still possible. Discussing terms at that stage avoids gaps once the truck is loaded.
Covered Moves We Handled
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Gold Coast · art collection move1 / 6
How Your Coverage Works
Step 1 of 4
Inventory & Valuation
Items are grouped by category — furniture, appliances, fragile pieces, personal belongings — and each group is given a current replacement value rather than a token figure for the whole household. Receipts and photographs are gathered at this stage so the record is ready before anything is wrapped or loaded.
Items grouped by category and current condition
Current replacement value recorded for each item group
Receipts and photos kept separate from the shipment
30–60 minDispatcher
A written inventory becomes the foundation of any claim filed later
Coverage Selection
Basic carrier liability is included with every move, and full-value protection is an add-on. The choice depends on the declared value and the nature of the items in the shipment.
Basic liability and full-value protection compared
Scope matched to declared value
Terms reviewed and chosen before packing begins
Coverage scope determines how claims are settled
Condition Report
Each item is inspected before loading. Existing scratches, dents, or chips are noted on the inventory sheet so they are not mistaken for transit damage. The owner and the crew lead both sign the report.
Every surface checked before wrapping or loading
Pre-existing marks recorded on the inventory sheet
Owner and crew lead both sign off
A clear baseline means the claim rests on evidence, not memory
Claim Settlement
At delivery, pieces are counted and packaging inspected before signing. Damage is marked on the receipt before unpacking continues. The carrier is notified within the contractual deadline, and an adjuster compares the evidence against the original inventory.
Damage noted on the delivery receipt
Damage noted before unpacking
Adjuster reviews the full inventory
Payout follows documented loss, not a rough estimate
From the initial valuation through the condition report and the delivery inspection, each stage follows a set order so nothing is left to guesswork. The same order applies to office and business moves.
