Do you need insurance for your shipment?

Key rules

• Carrier cap: Carrier liability is set by weight or package, not by the value of your goods, so it is usually far below replacement cost.
• Owner-packed items: Items you pack yourself and fragile items are often excluded, so check before relying on any cover.
• Insurance cost: All-risk transit insurance typically costs 1% to 3% of declared value.
• Storage: Storage in transit is commonly covered for 30 days, sometimes up to 60; longer storage needs its own policy.
• Air claims: Give written notice of damage within 14 days and of delay within 21 days.

Short answer: most people should insure

The carrier's liability is capped far below what your belongings cost to replace. If your contents are worth more than the cap, buy all-risk insurance. That covers most household moves.

What the carrier pays, by mode

The cap is counted by weight or by package, not by what your things are worth.

• Road (international): 8.33 SDR per kg of gross weight lost or damaged. An SDR is an international accounting unit, so convert it at the current rate. Compensation for delay is capped at the carriage charge.
• Road (within Spain only): the default limit is one-third of the IPREM per kg of gross weight, per package lost or damaged. The IPREM is a Spanish public index that changes, so ask the mover for the current euro figure. Delay compensation is capped at the price of the carriage.
• Sea: 666.67 SDR per package or unit, or 2 SDR per kg of gross weight, whichever is higher. If the bill of lading lists the packages inside a container, each listed package counts as a unit. Contract terms and shipments from outside Europe can change which rules apply.
• Air: 26 SDR per kg, unless you declared a higher value and paid a supplementary sum. Give written notice of damage within 14 days of receipt and of delay within 21 days. Bring any claim within two years.

In all three modes the carrier loses the cap if it acted deliberately or recklessly. Don't plan around that.

What movers' own terms say

Many movers set liability well below replacement value. Typical caps are roughly 1 to 10 euros per kg, or a fixed maximum per shipment. Many simply follow the limits above. Some offer only basic liability unless you declare a value and buy extra cover.

Items you packed yourself, fragile items and wear are often excluded. Limits differ in every contract. Spanish consumer law can cancel unfair clauses, but don't count on that.

Decide using these factors

• Value: compare the total replacement cost of your goods with the cap. A 2,000 kg shipment capped at a few euros per kg leaves a large gap.
• Mode: sea and shared-container (groupage) loads involve more handling and risk.
• Fragile or irreplaceable items: art, electronics and heirlooms are the weak spot.
• Who packs: owner-packed boxes are often excluded from the carrier's cover.
• Policy terms: check the deductible, the exclusions, storage cover and how easy it is to claim.

If you want a middle route, ask the carrier in writing for a higher declared value. That raises its liability above the standard cap, usually for a fee.

What it costs

All-risk transit insurance for household goods typically costs 1% to 3% of the declared value, often 1.5% to 2.5%. Short road moves sit near the bottom. Sea freight with storage, or high-value items, may cost more. Minimum premiums often apply. Ask for real quotes, and declare the full replacement value so a claim is not cut down.

Storage on the way

Carrier liability and standard transit cover normally apply only while the goods are in the carrier's hands in transit. Storage booked as part of the same move is often covered for a limited time, commonly 30 days and sometimes up to 60. For longer storage, buy a separate storage policy.

Cover usually needs a secure, listed warehouse. Policies can exclude damp, pests and self-storage. Get the number of days and the warehouse conditions in writing.

The comparison, decision, timeline, documents and warnings below set out the options and the deadlines in more detail.

Choosing between options

Should you buy all-risk insurance or rely on the carrier's liability?

• Buy all-risk transit insurance: Your goods are worth more than the carrier's cap, you have fragile, high-value or irreplaceable items, you packed boxes yourself, or you ship by sea or groupage, where there is more handling.

• Agree a higher declared value with the carrier: You want the carrier to carry more of the risk and it will agree a higher value in writing. For air freight you pay a supplementary sum.

• Rely on the carrier's standard liability: Your goods are worth less than the cap, so the carrier's limit would cover a loss. Road carriers (CMR) are limited to 8.33 SDR per kg, sea to 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kg, whichever is higher, and air to 26 SDR per kg.

If the contents are worth more than the cap, all-risk insurance is worthwhile. Weigh the premium (typically 1% to 3% of declared value) against the risk, and check the deductible, exclusions and storage cover.

Basic carrier liability or all-risk cover compared

Basic carrier liability pays by weight and only if the carrier is at fault. All-risk cover pays for accidental loss up to the value you declare. Declare what it would cost to replace everything, not what the mover's terms suggest.

What all-risk cover usually excludes

Read the policy wording, because it differs by insurer. Common exclusions:

• Poor packing, especially items you packed yourself.
• Wear and tear, rust, mould and moth.
• Cash, jewellery, documents and securities, unless listed.
• Electrical or mechanical breakdown with no outside damage.
• Delay and knock-on losses.
• Customs seizure, war and nuclear risks.
• Plants, food, pets and vehicles.
• Items missing from unsealed boxes when there is no inventory.

How to declare the value

• Declared value is your ceiling. Check whether the policy pays replacement cost or depreciated value. Many pay replacement for newer items and depreciated value for older ones.
• Under-declaring costs you. If you declare less than the real value, the insurer can pay only the same share of each loss. Declare half the value and you may get half of every claim. Agreed-value cover avoids this.
• Over-declaring does not help. The payout never exceeds the real loss.
• Keep proof. Inventories, photos and receipts support your figure.

Who sells it

Cover bought through the mover is convenient, with one contact and the claim paperwork handled for you. But the mover is the party you would be claiming against, and it may only be an agent while the insurer decides. An independent policy from a specialist insurer or broker has its own claims handler and surveyor. With either route, note any damage on the delivery paperwork. With an independent policy, also tell the insurer and the mover straight away so the insurer can pursue the carrier.

If you are weighing a mover's offer against a separate policy, ask the mover for its liability limit in writing and compare it with your replacement total.

Timeline and deadlines

• Confirm in writing how many days of storage in transit are covered: before you book the move

• Arrange a separate storage policy for longer storage: if goods will be stored beyond the covered days

• Give written notice of damage to air freight: within 14 days of receiving the goods

• Give written notice of delay to air freight: within 21 days

• Bring an air freight claim to court: within 2 years

Documents you need

• The mover's quote and standard terms, which show the liability cap per kg or per shipment, what is excluded and how items you packed yourself are treated. Get them from the removal company before you sign.

• A written agreement on a higher declared value, if you want the carrier's liability raised above the standard cap. Agree it in writing with the carrier.

• Written confirmation from the mover or insurer of how many days of storage are covered and the warehouse conditions.

What to watch out for

• Mover's cap is far below replacement value: Standard mover terms often cap liability at about 1 to 10 euros per kg, or a fixed amount per shipment. That is usually much less than it costs to replace your goods.

• Basic liability only unless you declare a value: Some mover terms offer only basic liability, or cover specified perils up to a declared value, unless you declare a value and buy extra cover. Declare the real value of your goods and ask for the extra cover in writing.

• Exclusions for items you pack and fragile items: Items you pack yourself, fragile items and wear are often excluded, so a claim can be refused. Have the mover pack fragile and high-value items, or check that the insurer covers owner-packed boxes.

• Premium and deductible: All-risk cover typically costs 1% to 3% of declared value, and a minimum premium often applies. A deductible and exclusions can reduce what you get back. Ask for actual quotes and compare the deductible and exclusions, not only the price.

Frequently asked questions

How many days of storage does transit insurance cover?

Transit cover usually includes storage for about 30 days, and sometimes up to 60 days, if the storage is booked as part of the same move. Longer storage needs a separate storage policy.

Does insurance cover goods in a self-storage unit?

No, cover usually excludes self-storage, because it normally requires a secure, listed warehouse. Conditions can also exclude damp and pests. Check the policy wording before you leave goods anywhere.

Does carrier liability cover items I packed myself?

No, items packed by the owner are often excluded from the mover's liability, and so are fragile items and wear. If you pack boxes yourself, ask the insurer whether they are covered.

Can I ask the carrier for a higher liability limit?

Yes, you can agree a higher declared value in writing with a road carrier. For air freight you declare a higher value and pay a supplementary sum. The carrier loses the limit altogether only if it acted with wilful misconduct.