IndieG

Hi,
Just need some advice with regards to insurance - currently talking to Letton Percival.

At what point did your cover start and cease? Did it include damage done by movers when packing and unpacking?

Am insuring some high value paintings and fine porcelain artefacts. They have advised that if damaged, the stuff would be repaired where practical, if not then replaced. How can they repair a damaged painting or broken china ware? I'm not sure I'd be very happy with my porcelain stuck back together with glue or stitched up canvas

Any pitfalls I should be aware of? I'm taking plenty of photos to show the condition prior to shipment, to be on the safe side.

Wendy66

from memory I was going to go with LP as they were cheaper but I'm sure I remember them NOT covering the items from the ship yard to your house might be wrong though, best check with whoever you are planning to use yourselves and shop around.

asher

they dont cover packing and unpacking and they dont cover your belongings in storage before or after being shipped

look into the small print

Sherlock Holmes

Hmmm...I took insurance and it was granted on the proviso that all the packing was done by the crews. In other words, they won't cover anything that you pack yourself.

Not sure if that helps or not.

IndieG

Thanks

I am not packing anything, Allied will be doing that.

Just want to make sure that any damages while packing and unpacking is covered. Have already asked them to provide a quote separately to include this. If they don't then I'd probably go with Allied's insurance cover.


In any case, I will know of any damage (if any) only on delivery and unpacking. So how are they going to determine where or when the stuff got damaged

I am reading the fine print with a magnifying lens (really!)

Sherlock Holmes

I had one item of high value for which I could have taken extra insurance. You could try looking at that option maybe.

coloneldube

We used a company called insure-your-move for our recent shipment to Australia. Our stuff is here but as we haven't anywhere to live it's in store at the moment so can't comment on how it has travelled. You could atleast talk to them and see if they can help you. You do need to list items valued over £750 separately but the price was good. Their underwriters are Royal Sun Alliance.

IndieG

Thanks.

We have tons of artifacts, paintings, books - have listed every item for their replacement value in Australia even if they are less than $750 in value.

Am waiting for them to revert.

Another thing, what of the movers damage a wall/door of our rental when moving the stuff in? How do we insure that risk?

AndrewMarilyn

Just this minute confirmed our own insurance with Letton Percival. The wording of their confirmation email says "covered from the point the goods leave the front door"

Fingers crossed.

They were significantly cheaper than other quotes. 1.6% compared to typically 3%

IndieG

Yes, that was what we were told too. Allied has quoted 3.25% and we're not going to take that as it is too high. Will await confirmation from LP...

Laights

We insured with Letton Percival for our move over in 2008. Unfortunately a number of items were damaged so we made a claim for abut $6000+, they sent Loss Adjusters to have a look at the damaged items which was fair enough and after haggling they paid out. So I would insure with them again and they were a hell of a lot cheaper.

IndieG

Thanks for that! What do they haggle about? Surely, if you've insured for the replacement value then they ought to pay out? I've also got a similar quote from another insurer also and so have the two to choose from.

Laights

They haggled over a top loader washing machine that had a huge dent on the top, they said that it had scrap value and that we would probably get $50 from a scrap metal merchant, so told him to get in his car, come and pick it up and take it to the scrap merchants.

I got my $50 back on the insurance.

As our stuff was being unloaded over here anything that was damaged we wrote on the delivery sheet if it was damaged and then got the removal men to sign the bottom of the sheet, we then took pictures of the damaged items which came in very handy.

IndieG

Thanks all, have decided to go with LP even though they're not covering the packing/unpacking part (will be watching the packers like a hawk...lol).

I will also take photographs of high value items being packed/unpacked. I'd like to be on the safe side in the event of any claim. I don't want any disputes as to whether any item got damaged whilst packing/unpacking.

Beoz

Left it so last minute had no time to do anything other than use the shippers insurers at 3%. Went for the lump sum + electrical damage (inside the item) + mildue and mould. Not cheap in the slightest (about 25% of the move cost) but it was the easiest option and piece of mind. Recommend giving yourself some time to check out the likes of LP and save some money.