When planning a move—whether across town or across the country—most people focus on packing, logistics, and schedules. But one important piece is often overlooked: what happens if something gets damaged during the move? At Red’s Transfer, we believe protecting your belongings should be a priority—and that starts with understanding mover liability coverage.
Here’s everything you need to know about how liability works in the moving industry, what protection we offer, and when you may want to explore additional coverage.
Understanding Mover Liability
Movers are required by federal law to assume a certain level of liability for the items they transport. This liability coverage works differently than traditional insurance, though there are optional upgrades available.
Basic Liability: Released Value Protection
Every professional moving company must provide a minimum level of liability coverage, known as released value protection. This coverage is included at no additional cost, but is limited.
- Reimbursement is based on the item’s weight, not its actual market value.
- The standard rate is $0.60 per pound per item.
- Example: If a 30-pound television is damaged, the maximum reimbursement would be $18—regardless of its actual cost to replace.
This basic coverage provides some protection, but it may not be sufficient if you’re moving high-value or fragile items.
Upgraded Coverage: Extra Care Protection Plan
At Red’s Transfer, we also offer an Extra Care Protection Plan for an additional fee. This plan expands our liability beyond the federally required minimum.
Here’s how it works:
- If an item is damaged, we will first attempt to repair it.
- If repair isn’t possible, we will replace the item with the same make, model, or style.
- If the item is no longer available, we will provide a comparable replacement of equivalent value.
Important note about boxes:
- Boxes packed by Red’s Transfer are fully covered under this plan.
- Boxes you pack yourself are covered only if there is clear evidence of mishandling. If a box appears undamaged but the contents are broken, compensation will not apply, since we cannot verify how the items were packed.
Other Coverage Options
Since movers don’t sell insurance, you may also want to consider additional coverage from a third party. These include:
- Third-party insurers – Specialized companies offer moving insurance policies that provide full protection, often including coverage for high-value items and long-distance relocations.
- Homeowners or renter’s insurance – Some policies extend to belongings in transit, though coverage varies. Check with your insurance provider before your move.
Do You Need Extra Coverage?
Whether you should add protection depends on your move:
Extra coverage is strongly recommended for:
- Long-distance or international moves: More time in transit increases the chance of loss or damage.
- Valuable or Irreplaceable items: Electronics, heirlooms, artwork, and jewelry should be fully covered.
Basic coverage may be enough for:
- Short, local moves: If you’re only moving a few blocks and not transporting anything valuable, basic coverage may be enough.
- Low-value items: If you’re replacing furniture or moving mostly inexpensive items, full coverage might not be worth the cost
Peace of Mind on Moving Day
At Red’s Transfer, our team is trained to handle your items with the utmost care, but accidents can still happen. That’s why it’s important to understand mover liability coverage before moving day.
Give us a call, and we’ll walk you through your options, including our Extra Care Protection Plan, so you can choose the level of protection that makes the most sense for you.
Ready to move with confidence? Contact Red’s Transfer to learn more about our services and liability coverage options.
