Does standard homeowners insurance cover items broken by a professional moving company?

Short answer: Usually not—standard homeowners insurance typically excludes damage caused by professional movers.

Here's what you need to know:

Most homeowners insurance policies explicitly exclude damage that occurs during the moving process or caused by movers. Your policy covers sudden, accidental damage to your home and belongings, but once you hire professionals to transport your items, the responsibility shifts to *them*.

What *actually* covers moving damage:

- The moving company's liability insurance — Licensed, reputable movers carry basic liability coverage. However, this usually only covers a small amount per pound of damaged items (often just pennies per pound under "released value" coverage). - Full-value protection — Most moving companies offer this optional coverage for an additional fee. It requires them to repair, replace, or reimburse you for damaged items at full replacement cost. - Your homeowners insurance may help if damage occurred *before* the movers arrived or *after* they left your new place.

Before hiring movers, ask about: - What liability coverage they include by default - The cost of full-value protection - Their damage claim process and timeline

The key is getting this in writing before moving day. Don't assume basic coverage is adequate—if you're moving valuable items, full-value protection is usually worth the extra cost.

Want help finding reputable movers in your area who can explain their coverage options clearly?