Moving valuation coverage determines how much a mover is responsible for if your belongings are lost or damaged in transit, and it is not the same thing as insurance. At CG Moving Company, we explain the available valuation options clearly before every residential move so there are no surprises if something does go wrong.
What Is Moving Valuation, Exactly?
It sets the mover’s liability level for lost or damaged items.
Moving valuation is the level of financial responsibility a mover accepts for your belongings while they’re in that mover’s care, whether on the truck, in temporary storage, or being carried between buildings. It’s a required disclosure under California and federal moving regulations, not an optional add-on companies invented. Every household move includes some level of valuation by default, even if you never discuss it directly, though the default level is often minimal. Understanding what you’re automatically covered under matters just as much as understanding your upgrade options.
How Is Valuation Different From Insurance?
Valuation is built-in liability; insurance is a separate optional policy.
Valuation and insurance sound similar but work differently. Valuation is the mover’s own built-in level of liability for your goods, set by regulation and company policy. Insurance, by contrast, is a separate policy you’d purchase through a third-party provider, covering your belongings more broadly and often at a higher payout ceiling. Some households carry both: a mover’s valuation coverage as a baseline, and a personal insurance policy (sometimes through renters or homeowners insurance) for additional protection on high-value items.
What Are the Main Valuation Options Available?
Typically a released-value option and a full-value protection option.
Most movers offer at least two valuation paths. Released value protection bases the mover’s liability on the weight of the item, not its actual worth, which means a damaged but lightweight item (think a laptop) is valued far below what it would cost to replace. Full value protection, by contrast, bases liability on the item’s actual value or the cost to repair or replace it, and is the option most households choose for more complete protection, generally at an added cost. Deciding between these connects closely to the estimate type you choose as well.
What Isn't Covered Under Standard Valuation?
Items you packed yourself, cash, and undeclared high-value items often aren’t.
Standard valuation typically does not cover items you packed into boxes yourself, known as PBO (packed by owner) boxes, unless there’s visible exterior damage to the box itself. It also generally excludes cash, jewelry, and other high-value items that weren’t specifically declared ahead of time, along with items explicitly excluded in your mover’s tariff or service agreement, like certain electronics or documents. This is part of why declaring high-value or unusual items during your walkthrough matters so much.
How Do You Choose the Right Level of Coverage?
Base it on how replaceable and valuable your belongings actually are.
The right valuation level depends on what you actually own, not a one-size-fits-all default. If your belongings are mostly everyday household items with modest replacement costs, released value or a modest coverage level may be sufficient. If you own higher-value furniture, electronics, or art, full value protection is generally worth the added cost for the peace of mind it provides. The team at CG Moving Company can walk through your specific inventory and help you decide which level actually fits your household.
Factor | Released Value Protection | Full Value Protection |
|---|---|---|
Mover’s liability basis | Set by weight, regardless of actual item value | Based on the item’s actual value or repair/replacement |
Typical structure | Often included at no extra charge | Usually comes with an added charge |
Best suited for | Lower-value household goods or budget-conscious moves | Households with higher-value furniture or electronics |
Declaration required | Minimal, since liability is weight-based | Often requires a declared value for the shipment |
Valuation coverage is about understanding what level of responsibility a mover carries for your belongings, and choosing the option that actually matches what you own. If you have questions about coverage levels before your move, reach out to our team and we’ll walk you through your options in plain language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change your valuation coverage level after the move has already started?
No, valuation coverage needs to be selected and documented before the crew begins loading, not partway through the day. We go over the options during your in-home walkthrough so the decision is made and signed off before moving day.
Does valuation coverage apply to items in temporary storage as well as items on the truck?
Yes, valuation coverage follows your belongings through the entire time they are in the mover’s care, including any temporary storage in between pickup and delivery. The same level you selected for the move applies while items are stored, not just while they’re in transit.
What documentation do you need to file a valuation claim if something is damaged?
We ask for a description of the damaged item, photos if possible, and a note of when the damage was noticed, ideally at delivery while the crew is still present. Filing the claim promptly matters more than having a perfect written statement, since a delayed report is harder to tie back to the move itself.
Does declaring a high-value item require anything beyond just telling the crew about it?
Yes, declared high-value items typically need to be noted in writing on your inventory or bill of lading, not just mentioned verbally to the crew lead. That written record is what actually ties the item to your coverage if a claim comes up later.
If you’re deciding between coverage levels, walk through your specific inventory with our team and we’ll help you land on the right fit.
