Is your furniture insured during an international move? Not automatically. Removals insurance Ireland movers include as standard can be limited, and a move to Europe adds longer journeys, more handling and border checks. This guide explains what to ask, what to prepare and when extra transit cover is worth considering.
Is your furniture covered when moving from Ireland to Europe?
Your belongings can be protected in three different ways: the mover’s legal liability, a transit policy arranged for the move, and your own home contents insurance. Each works differently, so don’t assume any of them applies.
Many home policies restrict or exclude goods in transit abroad, or goods handled by a removal company. Ask your insurer for a written answer.
Your destination matters too. The UK is outside the EU, as are Switzerland and Norway, while Germany, France and Spain are EU members. Customs requirements differ for each, so check current official guidance for your destination. Also ask how any delay or inspection would be treated under your cover.
Removals insurance Ireland: what a mover’s standard liability covers
A removal company is generally responsible for goods in its care, but that liability is often limited by its terms and conditions. It may be based on weight or a set limit rather than the replacement value of your belongings. Items you packed yourself, or damage with no visible outer sign, are sometimes treated differently.
Ask any mover for the written terms and check:
- the liability limit and how it is calculated
- exclusions, such as owner-packed boxes or certain item types
- whether protection runs door to door or only on part of the journey
- whether goods in storage are treated differently
What Move Protect cover adds and what drives the cost
Get Cracking arranges insurance solutions for local, international and commercial moves. The Move Protect cover page is the place to start. Limits, exclusions and conditions are set out in the policy documents, so read them before you agree to anything.
We don’t publish premiums in articles because the price depends on your move. The main factors are:
- the declared value of your belongings
- the route, destination and mode of transport
- high-value, fragile or specialist items
- whether professionals pack your goods
- any storage before or after the move
A good quote should state what is insured, how value is assessed, any excess, the exclusions, and how to claim. If a quote leaves these out, ask.
Items that need special attention
- Antiques and art: keep valuations or receipts, declare them separately and ask about specialist packing.
- Electronics: note serial numbers, use original boxes where you have them and photograph items working.
- Pianos: these need specialist handling, so check how the policy treats them before moving day.
Tell your mover early about fragile or specialist items so handling can be planned properly, and so cover can reflect them.
How to prepare an inventory and photos for a claim
Good records make any claim simpler. Before the move:
- list every significant item, with room, description and value
- photograph furniture from several angles, close-ups of existing marks included
- photograph the contents of boxes you pack, and label the boxes
- keep receipts, valuations and serial numbers together, digitally and on paper
- agree the inventory with your mover in writing
Making a claim: how the process works
Your policy sets the exact steps and deadlines, but the general approach is similar:
- check items on delivery and note visible damage or missing boxes on the paperwork
- photograph the damage and keep the packaging
- notify the mover or insurer in writing as soon as you can
- send your inventory, photos and proof of value
Don’t wait until everything is unpacked. Time limits for reporting can be short.
FAQ
Do I need insurance when moving to Europe from Ireland?
There is no single rule for every move, but given the value of most household contents, it is sensible to have clear cover in place. Check what your mover and your own insurer provide.
Is my furniture insured during an international move?
Only if a policy or the mover’s liability covers it, and to the limits stated. Ask for the written terms.
Is moving abroad insurance in Ireland the same as home insurance?
No. Home contents policies are designed for your home and often limit cover for goods in transit abroad. A transit policy is designed for the journey.
Does cover include customs delays?
Many policies focus on loss or damage rather than delay. Check the wording, and confirm current customs requirements for your destination.
Talk to Get Cracking about your move
We are an Irish-owned family business in Dublin 11. Call us on 01 866 5999, email info@getcracking.ie or request a quote.
