Countless items are moved from one place to another during a move. For many things, it doesn’t matter if the box is placed on the floor once a little more roughly. Some, on the other hand, have FRAGILE written big and bold on them. In them are the precious family dishes, sensitive electronic devices or other things that need to be treated with care. And then there are those big bulky things: the brand new closet with mirror and the piano. If something breaks there, the mood goes into the cellar. If it was also the best friend who dropped the unlucky box, it can quickly come to blows. Because in addition to the non-material value, which no one can replace anyway, there is also the matter of reimbursement for the damage incurred. Who is actually liable for the broken closet? There is no general answer, because it always depends on the situation.
During a move, expensive items can often get broken.
Insurance during the self-organized move
Do you have household insurance? Top! If not, take a look at your liability insurance. Typically, moving damage you cause yourself should be covered by your liability or homeowners insurance. If you’re not sure, call your provider and find out. Attention: Every insurance company is different! So check thoroughly!Now you have also asked your friends to help you move. Of course, they are happy to help. So your friends are doing you a so-called “favor”. If the box falls out of the hand of one of them, he is not liable for it. This is because damage resulting from favors is not covered by liability insurance. If you want to be on the safe side, you can conclude a liability agreement with your removal helpers.
⚠️ Attention: If you hire movers who want to supplement their student budget, for example, be sure to clarify the liability issue in advance! Private liability insurances do not cover damages that occurred during a paid activity.
Insurance during moving with a moving company
If you have hired a moving company, you are basically on the safe side. These companies usually offer comprehensive insurance coverage and are liable for damages caused by them. When signing the contract, pay close attention to the amount insured and also find out whether certain things are excluded from liability. Sometimes you have to take out additional insurance, for example for electrical appliances.
Extra moving insurance needed?
There is a lot of discussion about moving policies that can be taken out specifically for the time of the move. If you have household insurance, this is usually not necessary. However, what you urgently need to pay attention to is the sum insured. Moving policies often offer to reimburse the replacement value of damaged items. Homeowner’s insurance, on the other hand, often only pays the utility value. So if the sum insured is too low, you can quickly end up losing a considerable sum of money.
Caution is the mother of porcelain
It is totally important that you take care of these legal things in time before your move. If the damage occurs and an attempt is made to settle liability after the fact, there is usually trouble. And besides, it would be a shame to see friendships die over such unromantic things as a liability issue, wouldn’t it?
Source
Image: “Smart Apartment” lifeofpix.com
