Moving day is exhausting, exhilarating, and exciting – and potentially risky. It’s no small feat to pack up all your possessions and relocate them, and it becomes a bit more complicated when the possessions are particularly valuable. Essentially, there are three concerns when moving valuables: breakage, damage, and loss. There are a few simple steps you can take to safeguard against all three hazards when moving valuables.
But first, just what are considered valuables? For insurance purposes, moving companies consider a “valuable” anything with a replacement cost of more than $100 per pound. Items that might fall into this category include jewelry, silver, fine china, furs, antiques, oriental rugs, artwork, certain collectibles, and electronics. Other important and valuable items whose worth wouldn’t be measured in weight include currency, stock certificates, passports, and other documents.
So, how to protect those precious goods? Naturally, you’ll want some insurance. A mover is liable for the value of the items they transport, but there are different levels of liability. Under federal law, interstate movers must offer two different liability options: Full Value Protection and Released Value. In short, under the former plan, the mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods; movers are, however, permitted to limit their liability for loss or damage to “articles of extraordinary value” (those are those $100-a-pound items), unless you specifically list these articles on the shipping documents. The cost of Full Value Protections varies by mover. A Released Value plan is offered at no additional charge, but the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. So if that 10-pound, $1,000 stereo component is lost or damaged, you’ll be compensated only $6. Note that Full Value Protection is the default plan; unless you select a Released Value plan, you will receive Full Value Protection and be charged accordingly.
But keeping your valuables safe during a move isn’t just a matter of insuring them. Here are a few pointers for making sure your possessions arrive intact.
- Whenever possible, keep your valuables with you. Naturally, this is easier with smaller, more easily transported items such as jewelry and documents. But you might also consider packing artwork, antiques, small collectibles, and sentimental items in the car with you, rather than putting them on the truck (assuming you’re bringing a car). If you’re only moving a short distance and can make a few trips in the car, you might add china, crystal, silver, and oriental rugs, as well as small electronic devices like MP3 players and tablet computers, to the list of things you move yourself.
- If you’ll be staying overnight in a hotel with your packed car, park in a well-lit, secure area. If possible, choose a hotel with a safe, and use it for small valuables like jewelry.
- When packing items for transport by truck, use the original boxes and packing material whenever possible. For breakable items, don’t skimp on padding, and don’t forget to label boxes “fragile” and “handle with care.”
- Document your goods. Before packing, take photos and (if relevant) videos of your valuables. If they should go astray, a recent photo may be useful in locating them. And be sure to keep a written inventory of what you’ve got and where it is, so you’ll notice right away if something is missing.
- Nowadays, your identity can be considered a valuable that’s easily stolen. Be sure to guard your personal and financial information – such as bank statements, credit card statements, social security numbers, and the like – during a move. Pack these items yourself, preferably in a lockable container.
- Keep an eye on medications, too. Some may have enough street value to tempt a thief, and they can be hard to replace if they go missing.
Is it worth the extra effort to protect your valuables while moving? Well, ask yourself how you’d feel if an irreplaceable item – one invested with sentimental as well as financial value – were to be lost, broken, or damaged during a move. Moving is challenging enough as it is. Don’t take chances with your prized possessions.
This guest post was written by Cara Giaimo, a blogger for SimpliSafe. When she’s not spreading the word about technology, crime, and home security, you can find Cara cutting off half her hair, playing the mandolin on her porch, or systematically taste-testing every pizza place in Boston. SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security is making its way to the top of its industry.
