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Moving Insurance: What Happens If My Movers Break Something?

A couch that has been padded and wrapped in preparation for moving

At College Muscle Movers, we take extensive measures to prevent damage to your home and belongings. We heavily invest in training our Muscle Movers, we pad and wrap all furniture, and we use proper equipment to minimize risk to your items. Despite the best precautions, moving involves inherent risks, and accidents can occur. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how damages are handled by your movers.

Moving Insurance vs. Valuation Coverage

Many people confuse moving insurance with valuation coverage. Here’s the difference:

  • Moving Insurance: 

    True insurance policies can only be sold by licensed insurance companies, not moving companies. It is possible to be insured for potential damages to your home and your items through your home-owner’s or renter’s insurance but it depends on the policy you have selected.

  • Valuation Coverage: 

    This is liability coverage offered by moving companies to determine their financial responsibility if your belongings are lost or damaged during transport. It’s an agreement on the compensation amount in such events, based on either the item’s weight or value.

In Minnesota, all moving companies must provide a basic level of coverage at no extra cost. This pays out $0.60 per pound for a damaged item.

How Valuation Coverage Works

Calculating a payout is simple. We multiply the weight of your damaged item by your coverage rate, and subtract your deductible.

(Weight x Coverage Rate) – Deductible = Payout

For example, if you select the free level of coverage and a 100-pound couch is damaged during your move, you would receive $60.

(100-Pound Couch x $0.60) – $0 Deductible = $60

This basic coverage often falls short of the item’s actual value, so you may want to consider additional coverage options.

Our Valuation Coverage Plans

College Muscle Movers offers 5 additional valuation coverage plans. These plans are affordable and allow you to select the level of coverage appropriate for you.

MN Required

Cost: Free
Coverage Rate: $0.60 / lb
Deductible: $0

(100-Pound Couch x $0.60) – $0 Deductible = $60 Payout

Economy Protection

Cost: $15
Coverage Rate: $2 / lb
Deductible: $100

(100-Pound Couch x $2) – $100 Deductible = $100 Payout

Most Popular

Extended Protection

Cost: $30
Coverage Rate: $2 / lb
Deductible: $50

(100-Pound Couch x $2) – $50 Deductible = $150 Payout

Best Value

Premium Protection

Cost: $75
Coverage Rate: $4 / lb
Deductible: $100

(100-Pound Couch x $4) – $100 Deductible = $300 Payout

Elite Protection

Cost: $150
Coverage Rate: $4 / lb
Deductible: $50

(100-Pound Couch x $4) – $50 Deductible = $350 Payout

Replacement Coverage

Replacement coverage depends on the declared value of your items.

Understanding how moving companies handle damaged items is essential, whether you use College Muscle Movers or another company. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to choose the right level of coverage for you, and help you avoid any unwanted surprises during your move.