
As a moving company owner, you know how quickly accidents can happen and how devastating the consequences can be. Liability insurance can help protect your business from costly lawsuits in the event of an accident.
With the average cost of a household move ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, a single accident can wipe out your profits for the year. This is why carrying adequate liability insurance is crucial.
Moving companies can also benefit from cargo insurance, which covers damage to customers' belongings during transit. The cost of cargo insurance varies depending on the type and value of items being transported.
In the event of a claim, having the right insurance coverage can make all the difference in recovering quickly and minimizing financial losses.
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What You Need to Know
Insurance for moving companies is a must-have to protect against potential risks. You'll want to consider at least two basic forms of insurance: general liability insurance and business property insurance. This is recommended by industry standards.
Moving companies face unique risks, including employee injuries, client possessions damaged in transit, road accidents involving moving trucks, and schedule changes resulting in lost business. These risks can be minimized with the right insurance policies.
Cargo insurance is a must-have to cover household goods while in transit. Inland marine insurance is also essential to protect equipment and inventory being transported. This will give you peace of mind knowing your company's assets are protected.
Industry-specific risks require specialized insurance policies. For example, moving companies may need workers' compensation insurance to cover employee injuries. They may also need umbrella liability insurance to cover bodily injury or property damage.
To shop for business insurance for your moving company, assess the risks in your industry. Consult with agents and other similar organizations to get a better understanding of your options. Compare multiple policies to find the best fit for your business.
Here are some common types of moving businesses and their corresponding risk levels:
By understanding your risks and choosing the right insurance policies, you can protect your moving business and ensure a smooth operation.
Types of Policies
Business insurance for moving companies is not one-size-fits-all. The size of your business, number of locations, number of employees and/or contractors, and moving truck fleet size are all factors to keep in mind as you evaluate your insurance options and coverage amounts.
You'll need to consider various types of policies to protect your business. General liability insurance, for example, covers physical injury and/or property damage to third parties caused by you or your employees. This policy can pay for medical bills, provide a legal defense, and cover the cost of a settlement.
Commercial property insurance protects your business building, equipment, and other assets from damage caused by natural disasters, fire, smoke, or vandalism. Business interruption insurance covers loss of revenue, payroll, and more when your business cannot operate due to a disaster.
Workers' compensation insurance is a must-have for companies with employees, as it covers employees who are injured or get sick while on the job. Most states require employers to hold workers' comp for their employees, and some states require coverage for contractors as well.
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Commercial auto insurance covers accident-related expenses, such as property damage and bodily injury, involving vehicles used for business operations. Professional liability insurance protects your business from claims of negligence or harm resulting from your professional service.
Umbrella insurance pays additional costs on insurance claims that exceed your regular policy's limits of liability. This can provide an extra layer of protection for your business in case of a large claim.
Here are some common types of business insurance policies for moving companies, categorized by risk exposure and insurance needs:
Remember, the specific policies and coverage amounts you need will depend on your business's unique circumstances and risks. Be sure to shop around and compare insurance quotes to find the best fit for your moving company.
Choosing a Policy
Business insurance for moving companies isn't one-size-fits-all, and the size of your business, number of locations, employees and/or contractors, and moving truck fleet size are all factors to consider.
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General liability insurance is a must-have, as it pays for physical injury and/or property damage to third parties caused by you or your employees.
To determine the right policy for your business, evaluate your insurance options and coverage amounts carefully. Consider the types of insurance that best fit your needs, such as commercial property insurance, which pays for damage to your business building, equipment and other assets.
Here are some key types of business insurance to consider:
Business interruption insurance can also be a lifesaver, paying for loss of revenue, payroll and more when your business can't operate due to a disaster.
Interruption
Business interruption is a critical aspect of insurance policies. It's essential to understand how business income losses are measured and how they can affect a business's expenses.
A business interruption can involve various property and perils, making it crucial to have the right coverage in place. NEXT, a runner-up for moving company insurance, offers comprehensive coverage for relocation operations.
NEXT's strong customer service and competitive pricing make it an attractive option for moving companies. They offer reasonable rates, with annual professional liability coverage starting at $912.
NEXT earned a 4.7 out of 5.0 customer rating from over 3,000 policyholders, demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.
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Identify Required Policies

Choosing the right insurance policy for your moving company can be a daunting task, but it's essential to get it right. You need to identify the required policies that fit your business needs.
First, consider the size of your business, number of locations, employees, and contractors, as these factors will impact your insurance options and coverage amounts.
Business insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and you need to evaluate your specific needs. For moving companies, some of the best types of insurance include general liability, commercial property, business interruption, workers' compensation, commercial auto, professional liability, and umbrella insurance.
These policies can help protect your business from various risks such as physical injury and property damage to third parties, damage to your business building and equipment, and loss of revenue due to a disaster.
Here are some specific policies you may need to consider:
Some natural disasters, like floods, often fall outside of standard insurance coverage, so you may need to purchase dedicated flood insurance in addition to liability insurance policies.
Read the details

Reading the fine print is crucial when it comes to insurance policies. Insurance policies don't cover everything, so it's essential to understand what's included and what's not.
Some natural disasters, like floods, often fall outside of standard insurance coverage. This means if your business is located in an area prone to flooding, you may need to purchase dedicated flood insurance in addition to liability insurance policies.
To get a better understanding of what's covered, research your chosen provider and read reviews from fellow business owners. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners also records complaints against each insurance company.
Here are some types of insurance policies that may not be covered by standard insurance:
- Flood insurance
- Earthquake insurance
- Cyber insurance (if you store sensitive customer data)
- Business interruption insurance (if you're not able to operate due to a disaster)
Make sure to ask your insurance provider about these types of policies and what's included in your coverage.
Purchasing and Maintaining
Purchasing and maintaining the right insurance policies is crucial for moving companies. You should purchase your insurance policies and keep them current, understanding how to use your coverage, such as the process for filing a claim.
It's essential to make a note on your calendar reminding you when your renewal is coming up. This will help you reevaluate whether your policy was a good fit throughout the year. You may need to adjust your policies or coverage limits each year, and it's always smart to shop for insurance around renewal time.
Here are some of the best types of business insurance for moving companies:
Garage
When purchasing a garage, consider the type of coverage you need. Garage Liability is a must-have, as it provides liability, garage keepers, and automobile physical damage coverages for your garage operations.
This coverage includes protection for garage operations in a manner similar to a General Liability policy, and the use of covered autos, in a manner similar to a Commercial Auto policy.
Garage Liability also covers the named insured's owned automobiles, not customers' cars, and applies to cars held for sale and those used in the business.
To ensure you're adequately protected, carefully review your Garage Liability policy to understand what's covered and what's not.
Garage coverage can be customized to fit your specific business needs, so be sure to select the coverages that make sense for your garage operations.
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Purchase and Maintain Policies

To purchase and maintain policies for your moving company, you have a few options. You can buy insurance directly from an insurance provider, through an insurance broker, or through an online insurance marketplace.
If you have an existing relationship with the insurance company, buying directly from them may work well for you. This method is also a good choice if you need a policy quickly or don't want a third-party broker reaching out to insurers on your behalf.
However, if you want to compare multiple quotes and policies across different insurance companies, buying directly from an insurance provider may not be the best option. It's also not a good choice if the provider you select doesn't offer every policy type that you need.
Insurance brokers can be a great resource if you don't want to manage the hassle of collecting multiple quotes and comparing coverage estimates. They'll do the legwork for you by finding and evaluating custom quotes from multiple insurers. However, be aware that brokers are not obligated to present the absolute lowest prices available to you, and some may charge you a fee for their services in addition to what they earn from your insurance provider.
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Here are some insurance types that are commonly needed for moving companies:
Once you purchase your policies, make sure you understand how to use your insurance coverage, such as the process for filing a claim, requesting a certificate of insurance and more. It's also a good idea to make a note on your calendar reminding you when your renewal is coming up so you can reevaluate whether your policy was a good fit throughout the year.
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Cost
Business insurance for moving companies can be a significant expense, but the cost can vary greatly depending on several factors. The average cost of general liability insurance for a moving company in America is between $450-$1,000 per year for $1 million in coverage.
You can get basic general liability insurance coverage for as low as $39 a month, but the cost can go up to $200 or more for general liability and commercial auto insurance. The cost of movers' insurance varies depending on what coverage you need, the number of employees you have, the amount of coverage you desire, the services you offer, and even the insurance company you choose.
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Some insurance companies offer more affordable options than others. Nationwide, for example, offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for moving companies, with an average monthly rate of $86. This translates to an average annual cost of $1,035.
If you're looking for workers' compensation insurance, Thimble is a good option, with average rates of $112 per month or $1,341 yearly. However, you may find more affordable rates with other insurance companies like Progressive Commercial or Simply Business.
Professional liability insurance is also a crucial coverage for moving companies. The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options, with low average monthly rates of $73. This translates to an average annual cost of $878.
Business owner's policy (BOP) coverage is another option to consider. Nationwide provides the most affordable BOP coverage for moving companies, with an average yearly cost of $1,562 for bundled general liability and property protection. This is a savings of roughly $33 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
Here's a summary of the average annual costs for different types of business insurance for moving companies:
Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and the actual cost of business insurance for your moving company may vary depending on several factors. It's essential to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance companies to find the best coverage at the lowest rate.
Specialized Coverage
Full-value protection is a type of coverage that allows you to repair or replace damaged items at their replacement value. This means you can reimburse customers for the diminished worth of their belongings, replace them with something of like kind and quality, or repair them.
You can offer this protection as a percentage of the total worth of a customer's items. For example, if a customer believes their cargo is worth $50,000, an average cost for this protection is 10% or $500.
Customers who have expensive cargo may want to consider full-value protection, as it can provide them with peace of mind and financial security.
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How to Find Cheap Deals
To find cheap deals on business insurance for your moving company, it's essential to compare multiple quotes for the same coverage. This will help you understand pricing variations depending on your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites, or independent agents.
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Researching average costs for your business profile and finding providers that offer the cheapest rates overall will give you a benchmark for saving. This step helps you identify which companies to start with and how much you're saving.
Reading online reviews and checking coverage options on rating sites and forums will provide valuable insights into company services and coverage. This will ensure you're covered for the right items, both now and as your business grows.
Here are some key factors to consider when comparing quotes:
Repeating these steps annually will help you ensure you still have the best deal, as your business will change, affecting your rates and coverage needs.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' compensation insurance is a must-have for moving companies that employ workers. This type of insurance covers on-the-job injuries, which employees are at risk for when they're loading and unloading heavy items.
Each state requires businesses that employ workers to carry workers' compensation insurance. This means you need to make sure this coverage is in place for all of your company's employees, including those who are hired only part-time and/or for a short duration.
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The cost of workers' compensation insurance can vary depending on the insurer you choose. According to our research, Thimble is the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $112 per month or $1,341 yearly.
However, you may find more affordable rates with other insurers, such as Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox, and The Hartford. Here's a list of some of the cheapest workers' comp insurance options for moving companies:
Not insuring packers, loaders, and unloaders who are paid a wage could leave your company exposed to risk and potential legal penalties.
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