Removals insurance explained: what is covered when you move house in Bradford

Removals insurance is the part of moving most people skip over, until something gets scratched on the way down a narrow staircase. A good move should not need it, but stone steps, tight landings and long carries along terraced streets all add risk. This guide explains the three types of cover that matter when you move house in Bradford, what each one does and does not cover, and the questions to ask before you book.

The three types of removals insurance

When people talk about insurance for a move, they usually mean one of three things. Each covers a different risk, and you may need more than one.

Goods in transit cover

This protects your belongings while they are in the removal company’s care: being carried out, loaded, driven and unloaded. It is the cover that pays out if a box is dropped, a table leg snaps or something goes missing.

We offer goods in transit cover up to £50,000 per vehicle load, which is available to buy when you book. Think about the total value of what is going on the van, not just the furniture. Electronics, jewellery, artwork, musical instruments and a full kitchen add up quickly.

Public liability insurance

Public liability covers damage or injury to other people and their property while the crew is working. On a removal that might be a scuffed communal stairwell in a block of flats, a cracked garden wall, a damaged car parked close to the van or someone tripping over a dolly on the pavement.

We hold public liability insurance of £1,000,000. This is especially relevant in Bradford, where so many moves involve shared back streets, communal entrances, neighbours’ cars parked tight on both sides of the road, and furniture carried past other people’s front doors.

Your home contents policy

Many people forget to check this one. Some home contents policies cover belongings during a house move, often only if a professional removal company does the move. Others exclude moves completely, have a low limit per item, or do not cover breakages in boxes you packed yourself.

Ring your insurer or read the policy wording before moving day and ask:

• Are my belongings covered while they are being moved?
• Does it matter who packs them?
• Is there a limit per item, and does my most valuable item go over it?
• Are goods in storage covered, and for how long?
• When does cover start at the new address?

What removals insurance usually does not cover

Every policy has exclusions. These are the common ones to look out for:

• Self-packed boxes. The crew cannot see or check how items were wrapped, so breakage inside boxes you packed yourself is treated differently from items the crew packed.
• Fragile items not packed by the team. Under our terms, fragile items are only covered when they have been packed and unpacked by our team.
• Wear and tear. Existing marks, loose joints and old damage are not covered.
• Cash, jewellery and important documents. Keep these with you rather than on the van.
• Items with no recorded value. If you do not declare something very valuable, it may not be covered for its full worth.
• Poor access you did not mention. If a sofa will not fit up the stairs and you had not warned anyone, forcing it is a risk nobody wants.

Why the packing choice matters for cover

Packing is where most claims are decided. If you pack your own kitchen and a plate breaks, it is hard to tell whether it was the packing or the handling. When the crew packs fragile items with the right paper, boxes and dividers, and unpacks them at the other end, the responsibility is clear.

That is why many people use a part packing service for glassware, mirrors, pictures and the kitchen, and pack books, clothes and bedding themselves. It keeps the cost of packing down while giving the most breakable things the best protection.

Where the risks are on a Bradford move

Most damage on a move happens in the same few places, and Bradford homes have more of them than most. Stone front steps get slippery after rain. Older terraces often have steep, narrow staircases with a tight turn at the top, and cellar steps that are steeper still. Back-to-backs can open straight onto the pavement, so furniture is carried past parked cars and passers-by. Flats above shops on main roads such as Leeds Road and Manningham Lane often have long, narrow stairs and no lift.

None of this means a move will go wrong. It means the crew needs to know about it in advance, so the right number of people, blankets and straps are there, and the right cover is in place for what you are moving.

How to protect your belongings before the move

Insurance is the safety net. These steps help you avoid needing it:

1. Make an inventory. List valuable items and take photos of furniture and electronics before the move, so you have a record of their condition.
2. Declare high-value items. Tell the removal company about anything particularly valuable or fragile when you ask for a quote.
3. Describe access honestly. Steep stone steps, narrow turns, low beams and long carries from the van all need planning, not surprise.
4. Take valuables with you. Jewellery, cash, passports, deeds, laptops and keys should travel in your car or bag.
5. Check items before the crew leaves. If something is damaged, note it on the day and report it as soon as possible.

Questions to ask a removal company about insurance

Before you book any house removals, ask:

• What does your standard cover include, and what does it exclude?
• What goods in transit cover can I buy, and up to what value?
• Do you hold public liability insurance, and for how much?
• How are self-packed boxes treated?
• How do I report damage, and how long do I have?
• Is anything different for items going into storage?

A company that answers clearly and puts it in writing is one you can trust with your home. For more on what changes the overall price of a move, including insurance, read how much house removals cost in Bradford.

Get cover sorted when you book

The easiest time to choose your cover is when you get your quote, because the value and volume of your belongings are already on the table. Get a free quote or call 08000862860 and ask about goods in transit cover for your move.