"Are you insured?" should be the second question after "Is this a fixed price?" Real firms answer within a minute and can email certificates. Here's what to expect.
The three insurances every reputable firm carries
1. Public liability insurance
Covers third-party injury and property damage — for example, if a crew member drops a piano onto a neighbour's car, or damages the wall of your new house on delivery. UK removals firms typically carry £2 million. Apex carries £2m as standard.
2. Goods-in-transit insurance
Covers your possessions from when they leave the old address until they arrive at the new one. Typical UK cover: £10,000–£50,000. Apex carries £50,000 as standard on every move. Higher cover available on request for high-value moves.
3. Employer's liability insurance
Legally required in the UK for any company with employees. Covers crew members if they're injured on the job. Minimum £5 million by law.
What's usually excluded
- Cash, jewellery over £1,000, watches — travel in your car
- Documents (wills, deeds, passports) — travel in your car
- Items packed by you rather than by the crew (in some policies)
- Damage to items in cheap flat-pack furniture caused by the assembly itself
- Wear and tear on carpets or door frames from routine loading
How to verify a firm's insurance
- Ask for both certificates by email before booking
- Check the insurer named on the certificate is a real UK insurer
- Check the policy is current (not expired)
- Check the value of cover meets or exceeds the value of your load
Higher-value moves
If your household contents exceed £50,000 (typical for larger family homes and expensive art), ask for a bespoke marine-standard policy. Apex arranges this on request.
Making a claim
See our damage claim guide for the full process.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
- What insurance should a removal company have in the UK?
- Three policies: public liability (typically £2 million), goods-in-transit (typically £10k–£50k, Apex carries £50k as standard), and employer's liability (legally required, minimum £5 million). Ask for certificates by email — real firms send them within minutes.
- Are my belongings insured while a removal company is moving them?
- Yes if the firm carries goods-in-transit cover. Apex includes £50,000 of goods-in-transit insurance in every fixed price. Cash, jewellery over £1,000 and irreplaceable documents are typically excluded — travel with them in your car.
- Do I need extra insurance when moving house?
- Usually not for household contents under £50,000 — the firm's goods-in-transit cover is sufficient. For higher-value homes, art collections, or antiques, ask for a bespoke marine-standard policy or extend your home contents insurance to cover transit.
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