1. Valuation Protection

While moving companies are technically unable to sell insurance, they can offer what they call “valuation protection” for your belongings. There are two types of valuation coverage: full value protection (which requires paying a set amount based on the weight and value of your goods) and released value protection (which is free).

“Understanding valuation coverage is very important,” says David Valencia, a moving representative with North American Van Lines. Let’s say you choose the released value protection (which only covers 60 cents per pound per object). According to David, it’s almost like having no coverage at all.

To put it another way, imagine receiving only $6 for a 10-pound jewelry box that got lost. This being said, make sure to ask your moving representative for all the details you should know before agreeing to the move. This is a good strategy to avoid unpleasant surprises later.