International Moving Insurance: What It Covers, Why You Need It
Why Insurance Is Essential for International Moves
When you’re relocating across borders, you’re not just shipping belongings — you’re shipping your life. That means your furniture, your electronics, your photo albums, your artwork, and maybe even heirlooms passed down through generations. And all of that is about to travel thousands of miles, pass through ports, be handled by multiple teams, and face everything from customs inspections to unpredictable weather.
That’s where international moving insurance comes in.
Even with the best planning and the most experienced mover, unexpected things can happen. A container might be delayed at a foreign port. A forklift might shift during loading. An inspection could result in items being opened, re-packed, or even left exposed to the elements.
International moving involves more risk than a domestic move — plain and simple. While it’s rare that something goes wrong, the possibility is real. That’s why protecting your shipment isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential.
Some customers assume that insurance is built into the cost of their move or that their homeowners policy will cover damage during transit. Unfortunately, this usually isn’t the case. International moves require specialized marine insurance, designed specifically to protect household goods while they’re in transit — whether by sea or air.
SDC International Shipping strongly recommends that every client invests in the right coverage. In fact, most of our clients are surprised at how affordable comprehensive protection can be — especially when weighed against the risk of replacing high-value items out of pocket.
What International Moving Insurance Typically Covers
When properly arranged, international moving insurance can provide peace of mind — and real protection — against the kinds of damage or loss that are most likely to occur during overseas moves.
A comprehensive policy typically covers:
- Total loss of shipment due to container loss, fire, or natural disaster
- Damage to individual items caused by water, humidity, mold, or improper handling during transit
- Theft or pilferage at ports or storage facilities
- Breakage or impact damage from shifting inside the container
- Delivery accidents at the final destination
Some policies also cover external factors like customs-related delays or repacking errors if they result in loss or damage — depending on how the policy is written and who is doing the packing.
That last point is important. Most insurers require that goods be professionally packed by your moving company for full protection to apply. If you pack boxes yourself — especially fragile items — your insurance coverage may be limited or excluded.
At SDC, we offer policies that cover both standard and high-value items, with flexible options for full replacement value or total-loss-only coverage depending on the needs and budget of each client. We also help you prepare the necessary inventory and documentation to make sure your policy is valid — and to simplify the claims process if you ever need it.
In short, insurance isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a real safety net that can save your move — and your peace of mind — if the unexpected happens.
What’s Not Covered (and What to Watch Out For)
While international moving insurance can offer robust protection, it’s important to understand that not everything is covered — and knowing the exclusions ahead of time will help you avoid false assumptions and future frustration.
One of the biggest limitations is related to self-packed boxes. If you choose to pack your own items — especially fragile or high-value ones — your insurer may not accept a claim for damage. That’s because they can’t verify how the item was wrapped or secured. In most cases, professional packing by your moving company is required for full protection.
Another common exclusion involves undisclosed or undocumented items. If a high-value item is not listed on your inventory and doesn’t have an assigned value, it may not be eligible for reimbursement. That’s why creating a clear, detailed inventory during the packing process is essential.
Insurance also typically won’t cover:
- Pre-existing damage, such as a scratch or chip that was already present before shipping.
- Normal wear and tear, especially for used furniture or appliances.
- Prohibited or restricted goods, like cash, jewelry, or hazardous materials.
- Acts of war, civil unrest, or government seizure, unless specifically included in a premium policy.
What’s more, delays due to customs processing or port congestion usually aren’t covered under standard insurance unless they result in actual loss or damage.
The best way to avoid disappointment is to talk openly with your mover (that’s us!) about what you’re shipping, what matters most to you, and how the policy works in real-world scenarios. At SDC, we help you build the right coverage for your situation — not just hand you a form and hope for the best.
The Difference Between Basic Liability and Full-Value Protection
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of international moving insurance — and one of the most important.
Most international movers are required by regulation to offer a form of basic liability coverage. But here’s the catch: this “default” coverage usually protects you by weight, not by value. That means if a delicate antique vase is damaged during shipping, you might be reimbursed just a few dollars based on its weight — not its true worth.
In other words, basic liability is not insurance in the traditional sense. It’s minimal protection, and for most international moves, it’s simply not enough.
That’s why we strongly recommend full-value protection, sometimes called all-risk or comprehensive coverage. This type of policy reimburses you based on the declared value of your items — not their weight — and can cover repair, replacement, or cash compensation for damaged or lost goods.
With SDC, full-value protection is tailored to your inventory. We help you assign reasonable values to each item or category, review exclusions with you in plain language, and ensure that the total declared value is in line with the shipment contents. That way, if something does happen, you’re not just protected — you’re protected in a way that actually works.
It’s also worth noting that some clients choose to cover only a portion of their shipment — for example, high-value electronics, collectibles, or heirlooms. We can help with that too.
In the end, the goal is simple: if something goes wrong, you shouldn’t have to pay for it out of pocket. You should be covered, supported, and guided through the next step with confidence.
How to Choose the Right Policy for Your Shipment
Choosing the right insurance for your international move isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about understanding what you’re shipping, what risks you’re comfortable with, and how much you’re willing to protect.
Start by thinking about the overall value of your shipment, not just financially, but emotionally. Are you shipping family heirlooms? Irreplaceable artwork? A custom instrument? The more meaningful your items, the more reason you have to ensure they’re protected under a full-value insurance policy.
Next, consider whether your items will be professionally packed by your mover — and if so, what kind of inventory documentation will be provided. Most comprehensive insurance policies require a detailed inventory and packing list, and many will only cover items packed by professionals. If you plan to pack yourself, it’s essential to understand how that affects your coverage.
You’ll also need to decide between two basic types of coverage:
- Total loss coverage, which only reimburses you if the entire shipment is lost (e.g., due to a major disaster at sea).
- All-risk coverage, which protects against individual item damage, breakage, theft, and more.
If you’re moving a full household internationally, total loss coverage may not be enough. A single broken sofa, cracked flat-screen, or water-damaged box of photos can cost far more than the difference in premium between basic and full-value coverage.
At SDC, we walk you through these choices step by step. We’ll help you identify what you should insure, how to value your belongings fairly, and how to avoid over- or under-insuring your goods. That way, you get the protection you need — without paying more than you should.
How SDC Helps You Protect Your Move
At SDC International Shipping, we understand that insurance isn’t just paperwork — it’s your backup plan, your peace of mind, and in many cases, your only safeguard against something going wrong halfway around the world.
That’s why we don’t just hand you a brochure and move on. We make insurance part of the planning conversation from the very beginning.
Here’s how we help:
- We explain the differences between coverage types in simple, practical terms — so you can make an informed decision.
- We help you prepare a clear, professional inventory of your shipment, which not only speeds up customs clearance but ensures your policy is valid and complete.
- We provide access to marine insurance policies specifically designed for international household goods — not generic business cargo insurance.
- If a claim ever needs to be filed, we help guide you through the process with direct support — not just a phone number and a form.
But more than that, we make sure your entire move is structured in a way that supports your protection. That includes:
- Professional packing using international-grade materials.
- Correct labeling, crating, and handling procedures.
- Real-time updates and ongoing communication so you’re never left guessing.
Our clients consistently tell us how much they appreciate the transparency and clarity we bring to the insurance process. In an industry where small print can hide big problems, we make sure your coverage actually covers you.
Don’t Ship Without a Safety Net
You’ve taken a huge step — you’re planning a move across the globe. You’re organizing paperwork, planning for your future, and trusting a company to ship everything you care about. That’s a big deal.
And while most international moves go smoothly, the truth is this: accidents happen. Shipments are delayed. Items can be damaged. That’s why having the right international moving insurance isn’t optional — it’s essential.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
At SDC International Shipping, we believe you should never feel uncertain about how your belongings are protected. That’s why we offer expert guidance, trusted policies, and real support — from the moment you request a quote to the final delivery abroad.
We’ll help you choose the right level of protection, build a complete inventory, and answer your questions with total transparency — no jargon, no pressure, just support.
🌍 Let’s protect your journey — together.
👉 Request your international moving quote today and speak with a relocation specialist about the right insurance plan for your move.
