What Insurance Does Your Man and Van Need?

Insurance is the least exciting part of booking a man and van — until something goes wrong. A dropped TV, a scratched floor, a van breakdown on the motorway — these things happen, and without the right cover, you're left arguing about who pays. This guide explains what insurance matters, what each type actually covers, and what to ask your mover before you book.

The three types of insurance that matter

1. Goods in Transit insurance

This covers your belongings while they're in the van. If the van is involved in an accident, or your furniture is damaged during loading or unloading, Goods in Transit (GiT) insurance pays out for the damage.

What it covers: Damage to your items caused by the mover during loading, transit and unloading. This includes items dropped, knocked, or damaged by sudden braking or an accident.

What it doesn't cover: Items you packed yourself that were already damaged. Items that weren't properly packed (loose in the van, not wrapped). Pairs and sets — if one item from a set is damaged, most policies only pay for that item, not the whole set. Excesses usually apply — the first £100–£250 of any claim comes from you.

Typical cover level: £10,000–£20,000 per vehicle per incident. Some movers have higher limits, some lower. If you're moving high-value items (antiques, art, expensive electronics), check whether the policy limit is enough.

2. Public Liability insurance

This covers damage the mover causes to property that doesn't belong to you. If the mover scratches the hallway of the house you're moving out of, or chips the doorframe of the house you're moving into, Public Liability (PL) covers it.

What it covers: Third-party property damage caused by the mover during the job. This includes damage to both properties (old and new), damage to shared areas in flats (hallways, lifts, stairwells), and injury to third parties.

What it doesn't cover: Damage to your own property (that's GiT). Damage caused by you or anyone helping you. Pre-existing damage to either property.

Typical cover level: £1 million–£5 million. For most domestic moves, £1 million is standard. If you're in a high-value property or moving from a listed building, ask whether the cover level is sufficient.

3. Employer's Liability insurance

This is a legal requirement if the mover employs anyone. It covers claims from employees who are injured at work. As a customer, you don't claim on this — it's there to protect the mover's employees. But if a mover doesn't have it and one of their workers is injured on your property, the legal situation gets complicated.

Legal requirement: £5 million minimum by law. Any business with employees must have it. If your mover is a sole trader with no employees, they don't need it.

Van insurance

This is the mover's own vehicle insurance. It covers the van itself, not your belongings. If the van breaks down or is stolen, the van insurance pays for the vehicle — not for the delay to your move. Some van insurance policies include hire car cover, which means the mover can get a replacement van quickly. It's worth asking.

What to ask your mover before you book

• "Do you have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance?" — If the answer is no, or if they're vague about it, find another mover. This is non-negotiable.
• "What's the cover level and excess?" — A £10,000 GiT policy with a £500 excess is very different from a £20,000 policy with a £100 excess.
• "Does the policy cover high-value items?" — Most policies have single-item limits. If you're moving a £3,000 TV or a £5,000 piano, check whether the individual item is covered.
• "Can I see the certificate?" — A legitimate mover won't mind showing you their insurance certificate. If they make excuses, that's a red flag.
• "What's the claims process?" — Knowing how to make a claim before something goes wrong is better than finding out afterwards.

What isn't covered (that people assume is)

• Items you packed yourself — If a box you packed bursts and the contents are damaged, the mover's insurance usually won't pay out. They didn't pack it, so they can't be held responsible for the packing quality.
• Pre-existing damage — If your sofa already had a tear in it, or your TV stand was cracked before the move, that's not a valid claim. Take photos of everything before moving day — it protects both you and the mover.
• Mechanical or electrical damage — If your washing machine worked before the move but doesn't work after, proving it was caused by the move (rather than the machine's age) is difficult. Most policies exclude electrical and mechanical derangement.
• Jewellery, cash and documents — Almost never covered by Goods in Transit. Carry these yourself.

Your own home insurance

Check whether your home contents insurance covers items in transit. Some policies include "removals cover" as standard; others don't. If it does, it might cover the gap between what the mover's insurance pays and the actual value of the item — but only if the mover's insurance is the first point of claim.

Call your insurer before moving day and ask two questions: "Am I covered for items in transit during a house move?" and "Is there a limit on high-value items?" Having the answer before something goes wrong saves a lot of stress.

On Man and Van Club

Every mover on Man and Van Club must hold valid Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance before they can access customer requests. When you receive a quote, you can ask the mover for their insurance details directly. We don't hold the certificates ourselves — the mover provides them — but the requirement is a condition of using the platform.

If you're planning a move, submit your details and ask the quoting mover about their cover levels. It's a perfectly reasonable question and any legitimate mover will answer it without hesitation.