Looking for a trusted mover in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, or Bonita Springs? Here’s what every Southwest Florida homeowner should know about moving insurance before moving day.
“Is my stuff insured when I move?” is one of the most common questions our Fort Myers moving crews hear before a job starts — and it’s also one of the most misunderstood parts of the moving process. The short answer: your mover doesn’t sell you “insurance” at all. What they offer is called valuation coverage, a contractual level of liability that determines how much you’re compensated if something is lost or damaged in transit. Below, we break down exactly how it works so you can choose the right protection for your move.
Valuation Coverage vs. Moving Insurance: What’s the Difference?
Under federal regulations that apply to every household goods mover — including long-distance and interstate moves — companies must offer customers two specific levels of liability coverage. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), those two options are:
- Released Value Protection: The default option, included at no extra cost. It limits the mover’s liability to 60 cents per pound, per item — regardless of the item’s actual value. A 50-inch TV that weighs 25 pounds would only be covered for about $15 if it were damaged.
- Full Value Protection: A paid upgrade in which the mover is responsible for the repair, replacement, or cash value of any lost or damaged item in your shipment. It costs more, but it reflects what your belongings are actually worth.
It’s worth repeating: this valuation coverage is separate from a moving company’s general business liability insurance, which protects their trucks, equipment, and employees — not your personal belongings. If you select Released Value coverage and want more protection, you can also purchase third-party moving insurance, though it’s smart to check your homeowner’s or renter’s policy first, since some already extend coverage to items in transit.
How to Decide Which Coverage Level Is Right for Your Move
A few practical questions can help you decide:
- What’s the total replacement value of everything you’re moving? If it’s well above what 60 cents per pound would cover, Full Value Protection is usually worth the added cost.
- Are you moving high-value, fragile, or irreplaceable items — antiques, artwork, electronics, or family heirlooms? These are exactly the items released value leaves underinsured.
- Is this a long-distance or interstate move? Longer moves mean more handling, more transfer points, and more time in transit, which raises the odds of an incident.
- Does your homeowner’s insurance already cover belongings in transit? If so, you may only need released value from your mover and can rely on your existing policy as a backstop.
At Two Chicks Moving, we walk every customer through their valuation options before move day — no fine print surprises. If you’re planning a cross-state relocation, our long-distance moving services page outlines exactly how we handle interstate moves throughout Southwest Florida, including how valuation coverage is applied to your shipment.
Quick Answers: Moving Insurance FAQs
Do movers have to offer insurance?
Movers must offer valuation coverage (Released Value and Full Value Protection), which is a liability agreement, not a traditional insurance policy. You can supplement it with third-party moving insurance if you want additional protection.
What does 60 cents per pound mean?
It’s the maximum a mover is liable for under Released Value Protection, calculated by multiplying an item’s weight in pounds by 60 cents — regardless of what the item is actually worth.
Is Full Value Protection worth it?
For most households with furniture, electronics, and irreplaceable items, yes. The added cost is typically small relative to the actual replacement value it protects.
Local Area Guide: Naples’ Most Ambitious New Restaurant Just Opened
Moving to Naples? You’re arriving at a great time for the local food scene. Chef Kayla Pfeiffer — a James Beard Foundation Emerging Chef semifinalist and the talent behind North Naples’ celebrated Bicyclette Cookshop — opened her follow-up concept, Heyday Cookshop, this spring. According to Gulfshore Life magazine, Heyday introduces Southwest Florida’s first restaurant chef-residency program, inviting acclaimed visiting chefs — including alumni of Michelin-starred Estela in New York City — for extended collaborations, alongside a curated wine and vermouth program and a hi-fi listening room bar.
It’s the kind of ambitious, homegrown energy that’s putting Naples on the map well beyond its beaches and golf courses — one more reason our clients relocating to the area tell us they’re excited to put down roots. If Naples is on your radar, take a look at our Naples moving services page to see how we handle everything from high-rise condo moves to waterfront estates across Collier County.
Ready to Plan Your Move?
Whether you need a trusted mover in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, or Bonita Springs, Two Chicks Moving is a locally owned crew that handles packing, storage, and long-distance relocations across Lee and Collier counties. Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation quote.
