Let’s say you’re shifting from Gurgaon to Bengaluru. The truck reaches your new home, the cartons come inside, and then you notice that your TV screen is cracked. Your quotation said insurance was included, so you expect the damage to be covered.
But there’s one thing to check first: what caused the damage? Did the TV break in a road accident, or was it dropped while unloading? The answer can change whether the insurance applies.
That’s why, before an intercity move, it helps to ask more than 'Is insurance included?' You should know what is covered, how much value has been declared, and what you’ll need if you have to make a claim.
What is transit insurance for house shifting?
Transit insurance covers specified belongings against certain losses during a move. The insurer checks the policy, the items covered, and the reason for the loss before deciding a claim.
You may also see the term marine transit insurance on a policy. The name can be confusing because your belongings are travelling in a truck, not on a ship. But marine transit insurance can cover goods moving by road as well.
The important part is the written cover for your move. If the mover arranges the insurance, ask for the policy or certificate. It should help you identify the insured goods, the declared value, the journey and the applicable terms. A line saying 'insurance included' on the moving quote does not explain all of that.
What does transit insurance cover?
Think about the different things that could happen during a move. A truck could meet with an accident. A carton could go missing. Or someone could drop an appliance while carrying it downstairs.
These may sound like the same problem - your belongings are damaged or lost - but insurance can treat them differently.
| What happened during the move? | What should you check? |
|---|---|
| The truck met with an accident and some belongings were damaged. | Whether the accident and resulting damage are covered. |
| A TV was dropped during loading or unloading. | Whether accidental handling damage and loading or unloading are included. |
| A carton was missing at delivery. | Whether theft, shortage or missing items are covered, and what proof is needed. |
Some policies cover only the events named in them, such as fire, collision or overturning. Broader cover may include more types of accidental loss, but it still has exclusions. Insurers sometimes call these named-peril and all-risk cover.
So, if someone says you have 'all-risk insurance,' ask to see what that means in the actual policy. In particular, check loading, unloading, theft and damage to fragile items. These are the situations you’re more likely to have questions about when your belongings arrive.
When does the Transit insurance start and end?
This is another detail people often notice only after something has gone wrong.
Say your furniture is packed on Monday, collected on Tuesday and delivered on Friday. When does the cover begin - while the items are being carried out, once they are loaded, or when the truck starts its journey? And if the truck stops at a warehouse on the way, is the furniture still covered there?
The answer depends on the policy. Before the big move, just make sure you know where they’re picking up and dropping off, how long you’re covered for, and if loading, unloading, or temporary storage is part of the deal. If the date or route changes after the insurance is arranged, ask the mover to confirm that the cover still matches the move.
What is usually not covered in Transit Insurance?
There is no single exclusion list that applies to every house shifting policy. Still, these are the points you should look for in the document:
- Damage that was already there. If a table had a broken leg before packing, transit insurance is unlikely to treat it as new damage from the move. Photos taken before packing can help you show its condition.
- Poor packing. Some policies exclude damage caused by insufficient packing. If you are packing certain cartons yourself, ask how that affects the cover - especially for crockery, glass items and electronics.
- Normal wear or an internal fault. A sofa becoming a little more worn is different from it being damaged in a covered accident. Similarly, an appliance that stops working without visible transit damage may need closer assessment.
- Items the policy does not include. Cash, jewellery, important documents and other valuables may have restrictions or may need separate arrangements. Don’t assume that putting them in a carton makes them insured.
- Delay. If the truck arrives late and you have to make other arrangements for a night, do not assume those extra costs are covered. Check whether your policy mentions delay at all.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: if your TV arrives with a cracked screen, the insurer will want to know what happened to it, not just how much the TV cost.
How much value should you declare?
As they say, first things first, make a list of what you’re sending. You don’t need to make a complicated spreadsheet for every spoon, but the list should clearly account for your furniture, appliances, electronics and other belongings. Give extra attention to expensive items.
Then check the value being declared for insurance. For example, if your belongings are worth around ₹3 lakh but the insurance certificate shows only ₹1 lakh, don’t assume the whole shipment is protected up to its value. Also, declaring a value does not mean you automatically receive that amount if something goes wrong.
What you can claim really comes down to whether the loss is covered, how the insurer prices the damaged item, and any limits or deductions that apply in your policy. So if a TV is damaged, ask how its value would be assessed and whether there is a separate limit for that item.
It also helps to take photos of valuable belongings before they are packed. Keep whatever purchase bills, product details or serial numbers you have. If you no longer have an old bill, ask the insurer what other proof of ownership and value it will accept.
What should you ask before paying for transit insurance?
Let’s go through it in the order you would normally sort out your move:
- First, ask who is providing the insurance. Get the insurer’s name and a copy of the policy or certificate. If cover is included in the quotation, ask what amount is included.
- Then check your item list. Make sure the major belongings you’re sending are recorded, particularly the expensive ones. BOXnMOVE’s terms and conditions ask customers to verify the item list before loading and after unloading, so take a few minutes to do that with the team.
- After that, ask about the situations that concern you. Will the cover apply if an appliance is dropped while loading? What if a carton goes missing? Is there cover while the goods are kept in temporary storage? Get the answers against the written terms.
- Finally, save the claim details. Keep the policy number, insurer contact information and the mover’s contact together. If you notice damage at delivery, you should not have to search through old messages to find out whom to call.
These questions are useful whether insurance is included in the move or added at an extra cost.
H2 - How do you claim if something arrives damaged?
Let’s say your washing machine reaches your new home with a dent. You may not know straight away whether the damage is covered, but you can make sure the condition is recorded properly.
- Check the item at delivery. If a carton looks crushed or you suspect damage inside, ask to inspect it while the delivery team is there. Take clear photos of the outer packing and the item.
- Record what you found. Mention the damage or shortage on the delivery paperwork and make sure to ask the mover for a written damage or shortage note. Avoid signing a statement that everything arrived in good condition if you have already found a problem.
- Tell the mover and insurer promptly. Follow the reporting instructions and time limits in your policy. Give them the item details, photos and a short explanation of when you noticed the damage.
- Keep the damaged item and its packing. The insurer may want an inspection or a repair estimate before deciding the claim. Check with them before throwing anything away or arranging a repair.
- Submit the documents they request. These may include the insurance certificate, signed item list, moving invoice, lorry receipt or delivery record, photos, a damage note and a repair estimate. A theft claim may need additional documents.
IFFCO Tokio’s guidance for household goods damaged in transit specifically advises checking suspected damage with the carrier at delivery and obtaining a certificate. It also explains why the carrier should be notified of a loss or damage claim in time. The exact documents and deadlines for your move will come from your own insurer.
Transit insurance is useful when you understand what has actually been arranged for your belongings. Before an intercity shift, compare the insurance document with your item list, value and route. So if you’re planning house shifting with BOXnMOVE, ask for those details in writing before moving day. It is much easier to clear up a question about a TV or a missing carton while everything is still safely at home.
FAQs
1. Is transit insurance included in every house shift?
No, you should not assume that it is. Ask your mover if insurance is already included or if it’s an extra cost, and get them to show you the policy or certificate that covers your move.
2. Will insurance cover a TV that breaks during loading?
It might, but only if the policy covers damage that happens while loading or from rough handling. Just make sure the TV is actually listed in what’s insured, and report the damage the way the policy says.
3. Is theft covered under transit insurance?
It depends on the cover you bought. Some policies include theft or shortages, others only cover specific events. Read the fine print and ask what paperwork you’d need if something gets stolen.
4. Will I receive the full declared value if an item is damaged?
Not automatically. The insurer assesses the covered loss under the policy terms. The actual amount you get can depend on declared value, limitations on items, and any deductions.
5. Can I claim it if I no longer have the purchase bill?
Ask the insurer what other proof it will accept. Photos taken before the move, product details and repair estimates may help, but the document requirements depend on your policy.
6. Are my belongings covered if they are kept in storage during the move?
Only if the policy covers that storage and its duration. If you know your goods may stop at a warehouse before delivery, then make sure to raise this thing before the insurance is arranged.
