Moving Insurance in California, Explained: Valuation vs Real Coverage

The three layers, plainly

What 60¢/lb means in practice

It's a weight formula, not a value formula: a 10-lb laptop ($2,000) pays $6; a 200-lb dresser from IKEA ($180) pays $120. Light-and-expensive items are exactly where basic valuation fails — which is why we flag electronics, art and instruments during the quote and offer options up front, including specialty handling for the irreplaceable category.

Five minutes of homework that prevents every dispute

1. Photograph valuables the week before — condition record on your phone's timestamp.
2. Call your renter's insurer and ask one question: "Are my belongings covered during a professional move?" Many policies say yes.
3. Declare high-value items in writing (most tariffs treat $100+/lb items specially — tell your mover about the watch box).
4. Get the COI if your building requires one; we issue them same-day.
5. Note anything on the inventory at delivery — claims start from the delivery receipt, and California gives you 9 months to file.

The uninsured-crew tell

Craigslist crews quoting half price carry none of this — no cargo coverage, no liability, no CPUC tariff, and your building's deposit on the line. Two questions expose it: "Can you send a COI today?" and "What's your CAL-T number?" Hesitation on either is your answer. (Ours: full cargo and liability coverage on every move; CAL-T in final approval and published here the day it's issued — ask us anything at (213) 676-9460.)

Related questions

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