When hiring movers to relocate personal belongings in Texas, it is highly recommended that customers purchase suitable moving insurance to protect their property.

That might be a policy purchased from the moving company or separate moving coverage from an insurance agency.

Renters insurance that already has been purchased for living in a rented apartment or house, sometimes offers a bit of protection for moves gone bad, but only in specific circumstances.

In most cases, it is better to purchase moving insurance specifically designed for this purpose.

Does Renter’s Insurance Provide Moving Coverage?

Renter’s insurance protects a policyholder’s personal property against damage or loss that occurs from a covered loss while living in their rented apartment or house.

It protects against certain covered losses and typically have a list of exclusions, including damage caused by flooding, earthquakes, and similar events.

Some policies may provide certain protection during residential moves to a new rental unit, but not in the way that most people look to have their items protected against damage that happens during their relocation.

Damage caused by moving companies is excluded, except under certain specific incidences.

What Protection Does Renters Insurance Provide During Residential Moves?

Although rental insurance is designed mainly to protect personal belongings within a rented property, there are a few instances where damage incurred while moving may be covered:

Covered Loss - If personal items within a moving truck are damaged due to a loss covered by the policy, renters insurance may cover the damage.
Property Theft - Personal property that is stolen at any time during a move is covered under renters insurance in the same way that it would be protected if it were stolen from the policyholder’s rental property.

Renters Insurance and Loss of Use Coverage

The one time that renters insurance completely covers a policyholder’s personal property when hiring movers is when they are covering a Loss of Use claim.

Loss of Use coverage, which must be added separately to most renters' policies, pays expenses, including moving company expenses, when the renter is forced out of their unit due to damage from a covered peril that makes the unit inhabitable.

In these cases, the policy will pay living expenses until repairs are made, plus moving and storage costs for personal property.

Policyholders should confirm what protection is available in case their items are damaged during this type of move; however, there may still be limits on what physical damage the policy covers.

Protect Personal Property With Moving Insurance During Local Moves

When relocating to a new home in Texas, it is important to confirm what type of mover protection one has against the damage their items might suffer.

Renter's insurance provides only minimal protection for residential moves, as it is designed to protect items against theft and certain types of damage occurring within the rental unit.

Instead, seek property insurance from the moving company to protect items being handled and relocated or purchase a specific moving insurance policy from an insurance company for the best protection.