Two-thirds of Brits Risk Not Being Covered by Insurance During a House Move

A recent survey found that two-thirds (67%) of Brits are unaware that contents insurance will only cover a move if a professional removals company has been used.¹ The study into common moving mistakes shows that many residents are at risk of a lapse in insurance cover while moving house.

Go.Compare Home Insurance surveyed both homeowners and renters and found that they were similarly oblivious of this rule, with 63% and 67% stating as such, respectively.

According to the insurance comparison site, over half (54%) of homeowners hire a removals company when moving house. But only around a third (35%) of renters do the same. This DIY approach to moving, combined with common mistakes, could lead to possessions being damaged or lost.

Overall, over half (53%) of all residents admit they don’t use a removals company, meaning items might not be covered by their insurance policy when they relocate. One-quarter (26%) of movers admitted to losing possessions in a previous move, while 29% have either dropped and broken or damaged an item in transit. Forgoing a removals company means the damage caused by these simple mistakes would not be covered by contents insurance.

Nathan Blackler, a home insurance expert at Go.Compare said, “Moving house can be a stressful time, with lots to think about and plan for, so insurance might not be the first thing on your mind. But it’s important to double-check your policy and what’s included. Many contents insurance policies will only cover items during a house move if you hire a professional removal company. Even so, depending on the overall value of your possessions, you might want to consider having additional cover, just in case.

“Those who opt to skip professional help might think they’re saving money, but it’s easy to make mistakes during a move, often resulting in things getting damaged or lost. In these cases, realising items won’t be covered under your insurance policy can add expense and frustration to an already stressful situation.

“Regardless, it’s a good idea to minimise the risk of damage by properly packaging your possessions, considering the order in which boxes are placed within a vehicle, and labelling correctly to stay organised. You should also allow enough time to load and unload everything, so you or the removals company aren’t rushed.”

For more information on common mistakes made when moving house and a helpful checklist, visit Go.Compare.

¹All data within this report was collected through a survey of 2,000 UK adults via YouGov. The survey ran on 3 July 2024, and respondents were selected at random. All information was taken directly from the results of this survey unless otherwise stated.