Removals insurance is straightforward once you separate the two policies that matter and understand the handful of exclusions that catch people out.

Goods in transit

This covers your belongings while they are being handled and carried in the vehicle. Sandy Movers carries £50,000 goods in transit cover. It applies to loss or damage caused during the move itself, subject to the policy terms.

Public liability

This covers damage to property or injury to people arising from the work — a scuffed communal stairwell or a damaged door frame, for example. Our cover is £5 million, which is also the level most managed buildings ask to see before granting access.

The exclusions worth knowing

• Boxes packed by you are generally covered for external damage, not internal breakage.
• Pre-existing damage and normal wear are not covered.
• Cash, jewellery, documents and similar high-value items should travel with you.
• Some fragile electronics need their original packaging to be covered fully.

How to protect yourself properly

• Photograph valuable furniture and screens before the move.
• Tell your removals firm about anything unusually valuable in advance.
• Ask for professional packing on genuinely fragile items.
• Report any issue in writing within the notification window in your terms.

Cover levels tell you what a firm is prepared to stand behind. Always ask to see the certificate, not just a claim on a website.

If you are unsure whether a specific item is covered, ask before booking. It is a two-minute conversation that avoids a difficult one later.