International Moving Insurance Guide
Door-to-Door Overseas Movers : Overseas International Moving Company
✓ What your cover actually includes ✓ All-risk and named perils ✓ General Average ✓ Exclusions that void claims ✓ How to claim
Insurance is where international moves go wrong quietly.
A clear guide to all-risk cover, named perils, General Average, exclusions, claims, and the mistakes that cost people money. This is general information, not advice on any particular policy. Read your own certificate before the goods leave.
Why insurance matters for international removals
Many people assume their home contents policy covers an overseas move, or that the removal company's goods in transit insurance protects them fully. In most cases neither gives proper protection for the full value of your shipment. International moves involve more handling, more stages, more risk and more parties than domestic moves.
Your belongings may travel by road, sea, air, customs warehouses and local delivery vehicles before they arrive. That creates risks such as breakage, theft, water damage, delay, and maritime law issues like General Average. A proper policy protects you against costs that would otherwise be very expensive.
Who we are: we match your enquiry with one accredited mover from the AGM Group network. Movers in the network hold FIDI FAIM Certified, BAR Overseas, IAM, EUROMOVERS, FEDEMAC. We are not a removal company and we do not carry out moves.
The main types of international moving insurance
The three main policy types
International moving insurance usually comes in three forms. The right one depends on the value of your goods, the route, and how much risk you are willing to carry yourself.
All-risk insurance
Most comprehensive option
Covers physical loss or damage unless a cause is specifically excluded. Usually based on Institute Cargo Clause A.
- Breakage usually covered if professionally packed
- Theft usually covered
- Water damage usually covered
- General Average often included
Named perils insurance
Mid-level protection
Covers only the events listed in the policy, such as fire, collision or sinking. Usually based on Institute Cargo Clause B or C.
- Cheaper than all-risk
- Breakage often not covered
- Theft may need an add-on
- Less protection for everyday damage
Total loss only
Basic cover only
Pays out only if the entire shipment is lost or destroyed.
- Very limited protection
- No cover for normal breakage
- No cover for partial theft or water damage
- Usually only suitable for low value goods
Important: total loss only sounds like the budget option, but it does not cover the most common problems people actually face, such as cracked furniture, broken televisions or damaged cartons.
General Average and maritime risk
What is General Average
General Average is a principle of maritime law. If a ship faces serious danger and cargo is sacrificed, or special costs are incurred to save the vessel and the remaining cargo, all cargo owners may be asked to contribute financially. It can apply even when your own goods are not damaged at all.
That means someone moving household goods by sea could receive a large bill before their shipment is released. It is one of the biggest risks people miss when they choose a cheap policy.
With a strong all-risk policy that includes General Average, the insurer normally provides the guarantee. Without it, you may have to pay before the shipment is released.
Real risk: a General Average contribution can be very high, and undamaged goods can be held until payment or a guarantee is provided.
Goods in transit cover versus a policy in your own name
The goods in transit trap
Many movers say they have goods in transit insurance. That is usually true, but it protects the removal company rather than you. Under standard BAR terms the mover's legal liability can be limited to a small amount per item or per carton.
The question that settles it: do you have an insurance certificate issued in your name, from a named insurer, showing the declared value of your goods? If not, you may not have proper cover at all.
Simple rule: a named policy in your own name is far stronger than relying on a mover's general goods in transit cover.
What insurance usually does not cover
Common exclusions
Even all-risk policies have exclusions. These are the ones that come up most often.
Owner-packed cartons
If you pack your own boxes, breakage inside those cartons is often excluded. This is one of the biggest reasons claims are rejected.
Cash and financial items
Money, cheques and financial instruments are normally excluded from standard moving policies.
Fine art and high value items
Fine art, antiques and expensive individual pieces may need declaring separately if they exceed the policy's single-item limit.
Delay and consequential loss
If a delay causes you extra costs, those losses are usually not covered under a standard policy.
Important: professional packing is not a nice extra. In many cases it is a condition of full breakage protection.
Declared value, underinsurance and claims
Replacement value versus purchase price
Insurance should normally be based on full replacement value at destination, not what you paid years ago. If you under-declare the value of the shipment, your claim may be reduced in the same proportion.
Example: if your goods are worth £50,000 but you insure them for £30,000, a claim may be paid at 60% of the real loss.
Declare accurate values, and list separately any high value pieces that sit above the single-item limit.
BAR Overseas and FIDI FAIM standards
What these accreditations actually mean
- BAR Overseas: members must meet standards covering insurance and customer protection.
- Advance payment guarantee: BAR members protect your deposit if the company fails before the move is completed.
- FIDI FAIM: an internationally recognised quality standard for international movers, audited against systems, service and risk processes.
- Claims confidence: accredited movers usually have stronger systems for documentation, handling and customer care.
These accreditations do not replace a policy in your own name, but they are a useful sign that the mover works to higher standards.
Country notes on insurance
Insurance and destination rules
Rules and practical requirements vary by country. Some destinations do not legally require insurance, but local agents or customs processes can still make it necessary in practice.
Australia
Proof of insurance may be requested. Biosecurity treatment costs can also apply.
USA
Not a legal requirement, but many destination agents expect proper cover before accepting goods.
UAE
Insurance documents may be needed as part of customs and residency processes.
EU destinations
Often not legally required for household goods, but many movers require it as part of the service.
How to make a claim successfully
Claim checklist
- Inspect your goods before signing the delivery paperwork.
- Write down any visible damage on the delivery note.
- Photograph the damage and the packaging straight away.
- Notify the insurer within the policy deadline.
- Complete the claim form carefully, item by item.
- Do not throw away damaged goods until the insurer says you can.
The most common claim mistakes: owner-packed boxes, late notification, under-declared value, and signing a clean delivery receipt when damage is visible.
International moving insurance questions
Frequently asked questions
There are three main policy types: all-risk, named perils, and total loss only. For sea freight, General Average cover matters too.
Usually not. Standard home insurance often excludes international transit, overseas shipping, and goods in storage during the move.
For breakage claims, often yes. Most policies exclude damage inside owner-packed cartons.
A maritime law rule where cargo owners may all contribute to major emergency costs, even if their own goods were not damaged.
Check everything on delivery, note damage in writing, take photos, notify the insurer on time, and keep damaged goods until the claim is reviewed.
If you underinsure the shipment, your payout may be reduced in the same proportion.
Usually not. It often protects the mover rather than you. A named policy in your own name is much stronger.
Owner-packed breakage, cash, delay-related losses, pre-existing damage, and undeclared high value items.
Get a quote with the insurance options set out clearly
Before your shipment leaves, make sure you know exactly what is and is not covered. A proper quote should set out the declared value, the exclusions, and whether General Average is included for sea freight.
Three things to ask for: a named insurance policy in your own name, confirmation of the declared value, and whether professional packing is required for full cover.
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