Do I need removals insurance when moving house in the UK?

There is no law in the UK that compels you to take out removals insurance, but moving without adequate cover is a significant financial risk. Furniture, appliances, and personal belongings can be damaged during loading, transit, or unloading, and the cost of replacing or repairing items can easily run into hundreds or thousands of pounds.

The first thing to check is your existing home contents insurance policy. Many standard policies exclude goods in transit entirely, and those that do include some cover often cap the payout at a low figure or apply a high excess. Read the small print carefully before assuming you are protected. If your policy does cover removals, ask your insurer to confirm this in writing before moving day.

Reputable removals companies carry their own goods-in-transit insurance and public liability insurance as a matter of course. Before booking any firm, ask to see evidence of both policies and check what the per-item and total claim limits are. Some policies have a per-article limit, meaning a single high-value item such as a grand piano or a large television may not be fully covered under a basic policy.

• Goods in transit insurance covers your belongings while they are being moved from one address to another.
• Public liability insurance protects you if the removal crew accidentally damages your property, such as a doorframe, skirting board, or carpet.
• Contents insurance (in transit extension) is an add-on some insurers offer to extend your existing policy to cover the move itself.

If you are moving locally within Dorset or along the South Coast and storing items temporarily, check whether storage cover is also included, as goods-in-transit policies typically end once items reach a warehouse or storage unit. A separate storage insurance policy may be needed for anything held beyond the day of the move.