What happens if there’s an accident or theft during your move?

Whether you choose professional removalists or decide to move yourself, things don’t always go exactly to plan. Accidents, damage and theft can happen at any stage — from packing to transit to unloading.

Understanding who’s responsible and what protection you have can make a big difference to your peace of mind and your moving budget.

Below, we break down what can happen, and how you can protect your belongings.

Moving house involves multiple points of handling and transport — loading, unloading, driving and unpacking. At any of these stages, items can be scratched, dropped, lost or damaged in an accident or theft.

If you assume your home insurance automatically covers everything, you may be in for a surprise:

• Many standard contents policies don’t cover goods while in transit.
• Some have exclusions for certain removal methods (e.g., DIY or non‑professional movers).
• Others may only cover part of the value unless you add specific transit cover.

Understanding your protection early helps you avoid expensive out‑of‑pocket replacement costs.

Transit insurance is specific cover designed to protect your belongings while they are being moved from your old home to your new one — whether locally, interstate or (if applicable) overseas.

It can cover:

• Damage during packing or unpacking
• Damage while loading or unloading
• Damage or loss while goods are in transit (e.g., road accident, theft)
• Mishandling by removalists

Exact coverage depends on the policy and provider, so it’s important to know what’s included — and what’s excluded.

There are three common ways to secure insurance for moving:

Some contents insurance policies include transit cover — but conditions often apply.

For example:

• It may not apply if you use non‑professional movers or rent a van yourself.
• Some policies only cover certain types of loss (e.g., accidents but not theft).
• Others require an add‑on premium to extend cover to transit.

Always check with your insurer before moving to confirm what’s covered and whether you need to adjust your policy.

Many professional removalist companies offer insurance or liability options as part of their service or as an add‑on.

Before booking:

• Ask what type of cover they include
• Confirm whether it’s included in the quoted price
• Check the value limits and exclusions
• Understand the claims process

Professional removalist cover often gives you more confidence than DIY transit exposure — but the details matter.

If your current policy doesn’t cover your needs, or removalists don’t include sufficient cover, specialised transit or moving insurance is another option.

These policies are offered by brokers and specialist insurers, and they focus specifically on moving and storage risks.

Costs and coverage vary widely, so it’s important to:

• Compare inclusions and exclusions
• Confirm how claims are handled
• Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) carefully

Understanding coverage gaps can save you from surprises:

• Vehicle rental insurance from truck/van hire companies usually protects the vehicle only, not the goods you’re moving.
• Marketplace helpers (e.g., casual removalists booked through apps or peer‑to‑peer platforms) often don’t offer transit cover for your belongings.
• Standard home contents insurance policies may exclude goods in transit unless an endorsement or add‑on is purchased.

Before moving day:

• Ask your insurer what happens if goods are damaged during a move.
• Confirm whether your current contents cover includes transit — and under what conditions.
• If using professional removalists, ask about their insurance options and how claims work.
• If needed, consider specialised transit insurance to close any gaps.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and, if you’re unsure, speak to your insurer or broker to make sure the cover meets your needs.