Bekins Moving Protection & Valuation

Everyone’s heard the horror stories about precious possessions being damaged during a long distance move. But when you work with Bekins, you can count on our expert movers to do everything they can to ensure the safety and protection of your shipment. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider extra moving protection.

A protection plan will help alleviate worry about your upcoming move, since you know you’ll be compensated if anything happens to your items. Whether you’re researching movers’ protection plans for the first time or comparing options across carriers, Bekins offers moving valuation coverage options to fit your needs and your budget.

What You Can Expect When You Choose Bekins

Your belongings represent years of memories and investment. Before your move begins, you deserve a clear picture of how they’re protected every step of the way. At Bekins, that conversation happens early, with your options explained in plain terms and everything documented before the first box is loaded.

When you work with Bekins, you can expect:

A clear review of valuation coverage options before your move, so you understand what each level of protection includes
Plain explanations of how liability and coverage apply to your specific shipment
A written estimate that outlines your selected valuation option in detail
One dedicated move coordinator to guide you through decisions and provide consistent answers
Detailed inventory documentation to support accountability throughout your move
A final review to confirm coverage selections and shipment details before transit

Our expert movers treat your belongings with the same care they’d give their own. A valuation protection plan means that if anything unexpected happens, you’re covered. As you review your costs, you may also want to look at Bekins’ tariff.

Understanding Your Moving Coverage Options

When people start planning a move, their first instinct is often to search for “moving insurance.” It’s a reasonable question, and the answer matters. Under federal law, interstate movers are considered carriers, and carriers cannot sell insurance. That requires different licensing and oversight than a mover holds.

What movers offer instead is valuation coverage. Valuation defines the mover’s level of responsibility for your belongings while they are in our care. It’s governed by federal law, not state insurance regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines both required coverage options for interstate moves. Understanding the difference puts you in a better position to choose the right level of protection for your move.

Bekins offers two levels of valuation coverage.

Limited Liability Protection, also known as released value protection, is included at no charge for your interstate move. It values your belongings based on weight and provides coverage at sixty cents per pound per item. In a claim settlement, you’ll be compensated at that rate regardless of the item. A 10-pound television worth $800 would be covered for $6.00. A dining room table and a flat-screen TV are settled at the same rate per pound.

One thing to know: the liability coverage for boxes you pack yourself is different from boxes packed by Bekins. Items damaged inside boxes you pack are not covered by the valuation policy. If the boxes themselves are damaged in transit, the valuation policy may apply.

Full Replacement Value Protection, also called Full Value Protection, is an add-on that provides a higher level of compensation if your items are damaged. Unlike insurance, FRVP places a dollar amount on your belongings based on a declared value you set and the deductible level you choose.

FRVP policies are based on a release value of $6 per pound. If your shipment weighs 10,000 pounds, the default declared value is $60,000. You can increase that amount if you choose. Shipment value protection at this level ensures that high-value items are covered at the declared value rather than at the weight-based rate.

Your valuation coverage and deductible level need to be selected before your items are loaded onto the moving van. Your local Bekins agent will walk you through the options, provide a quote for the valuation level you choose, and add that cost to your overall shipment price. Payment is due before delivery.

If there is any damage, your belongings are repaired or replaced at the declared value minus your chosen deductible. If an item cannot be repaired, it will be replaced. If you’re moving high-value items or anything easily damaged, FRVP is worth considering.

How to Choose Your Protection

Both coverage levels protect your move, but the right choice depends on what you’re moving and how much certainty you want. Limited Liability Protection is the default if cost is your primary concern and your shipment is mostly standard household goods. Full Replacement Value Protection is the better fit if you’re moving furniture, electronics, art, or anything else where the weight-based settlement at sixty cents per pound would not come close to replacement cost.

Two more considerations factor into the decision: certain high-value items need separate declaration regardless of which level you choose, and a handful of situations sit outside valuation coverage entirely. Both are covered below so you have the full picture before you make the call.

Some items require special attention regardless of which valuation option you choose. Items with a value greater than $100 per pound are considered items of extraordinary value and need to be handled separately.

For these items, you assign a protection amount, and we charge a calculated rate based on that value. You can also elect a deductible for items of extraordinary value in the event they need to be repaired or replaced. If you’re unsure what value to assign to a specific item, your Bekins agent can help.

All items of extraordinary value in your shipment must be identified on the Items of Extraordinary Value Inventory Form.

Common items of extraordinary value include:

Currency
Coins
Jewelry
Precious metals
Precious or semiprecious stones or gems
Antiques
Objects of art
Oriental rugs or tapestries
Rare collectible items
Fur or fur garments
China sets
Crystal
Figurines
Manuscripts and other rare documents
Computer software programs

Understanding what your valuation coverage includes is just as important as understanding what it does not. Knowing where the boundaries are before your move gives you the full picture and the opportunity to fill any gaps that matter to you.

Valuation does not cover:

Acts of God and weather events. If a storm, flood, or other natural event damages your shipment during transit, valuation does not apply. That falls under third-party insurance, not carrier liability.
Items packed by you. If you pack your own boxes and the contents are damaged, the claim is unlikely to be covered unless there is clear evidence that the box itself was mishandled during transit.
Items not on the inventory form. If an item was not documented before the move, filing a successful claim for it is extremely difficult.
Items of extraordinary value not declared in advance. If you have jewelry, antiques, art, or other high-value items and did not complete the Items of Extraordinary Value form before your move, the mover’s liability for those items is limited.
Mechanical or electrical derangement. Pre-existing mechanical issues or internal failures that cannot be attributed to physical damage during the move are typically excluded.

If any of these areas apply to your move, your Bekins agent can walk you through your options. Checking your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy before moving day is a smart first step. Some policies extend limited coverage to belongings in transit. If yours does not, look into third-party moving insurance from an independent provider. Your agent can help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.

Making Your Coverage Work on Moving Day

Once your coverage is selected and your move is underway, one action protects everything you’ve decided: documenting your inventory at delivery. Before your driver leaves, compare every item to your inventory form, note any damage, and confirm everything has arrived. Completing this step with the Bekins crew present protects your ability to file a claim if you need one.

Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

Valuation coverage questions are some of the most common we hear, and some of the most important to get right. Your Bekins move coordinator is ready to walk you through every option, answer your questions, and make sure you feel confident in your coverage before moving day.

Start the claims process here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Valuation coverage defines how much a mover is responsible for if your belongings are lost or damaged during a move. It matters because it sets clear expectations before your shipment is on the road. When you select a level of coverage in advance, you know exactly how a claim would be handled if something goes wrong. Bekins offers two options: basic Limited Liability Protection and Full Replacement Value Protection, which covers repair, replacement, or cash settlement based on the item’s declared value.

This is one of the most misunderstood things about the moving industry. Moving insurance and valuation coverage are not the same thing, and a licensed interstate mover should not be selling “moving insurance” directly. Under federal law, interstate movers must offer two forms of valuation coverage. They are not acting as insurance providers. Valuation is governed by federal law for interstate moves. Insurance is regulated by individual states and requires separate licensing. If you want true third-party moving insurance, that comes from an independent insurance provider, not from your mover.

Before purchasing additional coverage, check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy first. Some policies extend limited protection to belongings in transit, though this varies by provider and policy. Confirm the details directly with your insurer before your move. If you are covered, you may not need to purchase separate third-party insurance at all.

Yes, your belongings are covered under your selected valuation protection while they are in storage-in-transit with Bekins, for up to 180 days. Storage-in-transit is considered part of the overall moving process, and your coverage remains in place during that time based on the option you selected before your move began.

If your items need to remain in storage beyond 180 days, coverage through Bekins no longer applies. At that point, you will need to make separate arrangements with the storage provider to keep your belongings protected. It is also important to know that if your shipment is delivered into a public or self-storage facility, valuation coverage ends once delivery is completed. Review your contract carefully and confirm the specifics with your Bekins agent.

For interstate moves, you have nine months from the delivery date to file a claim for damaged or lost items. The sooner you start, the smoother the process. Document any damage at delivery, keep your inventory paperwork, and start the process online as soon as you identify an issue.

Yes, and it’s required. Before your driver leaves, compare your items to your inventory form, note any damage you find, and confirm that everything has arrived. Completing this step with the Bekins crew present ensures your valuation coverage can be applied to your shipment in full.

If you’re moving high-value items or want to know your belongings are covered at their full replacement cost rather than a weight-based rate, yes. FRVP ensures that a damaged or lost item is repaired, replaced, or settled at the value you declared, not sixty cents per pound. For most moves with furniture, electronics, or anything that holds real value, FRVP is the more protective choice.

Yes. Moving companies are federally required to offer liability coverage options. The level of liability depends on the protection you choose. With Limited Liability, the mover’s responsibility is capped at sixty cents per pound per item. With Full Replacement Value Protection, the mover is responsible for the repair or replacement value of the item as declared.

While movers don’t sell insurance directly, they provide valuation coverage. Bekins offers options like Full Replacement Value Protection and Limited Liability Protection to suit different coverage needs. If you want true third-party moving insurance, that comes from an independent provider, not from your mover. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may also extend limited protection to belongings in transit, so check with your insurer before purchasing additional coverage.

Your valuation coverage needs to be selected and documented before your move begins. Once your shipment is in transit, changes are not available. That’s why Bekins walks you through your options early, giving you time to review, ask questions, and make a confident decision well before moving day.

Start by thinking about the value of what you’re moving and how much uncertainty you’re comfortable with. If your shipment includes furniture, electronics, art, jewelry, or anything else you’d be frustrated to lose, FRVP is worth the additional cost. Your Bekins move coordinator can walk you through both options, explain how each one applies to your shipment, and help you choose a plan that fits your budget and your situation.

If something is damaged or lost during your move, start the claims process online. Make sure you documented any damage at delivery and kept your inventory paperwork. For interstate moves, you have nine months from the delivery date to file. Claims are reviewed based on the valuation coverage you selected.