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If you are relocating from your Laurel, Maryland home to a larger new home in Gaithersburg, Maryland, you will probably hire a moving company to transport your furniture and other contents of your old home to your new place. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly during the process and your household goods will arrive safely and undamaged. However, if the movers drop your television or tear a gash in the upholstery of your living room couch, someone should have to pay to fix the damage or replace the item.
You can always file a loss and damage claim with the moving company, but, that can be a long and arduous process. If they dispute the incident or want to investigate further, it might take you three months to get a settlement check.
On the other hand, your home insurance contents coverage will usually pay for the damage that is caused in your house, while in transit, or while unloading your personal contents at your new house. Coverage is limited to only items shown or not excluded on your home insurance policy. For instance, if you have an antique Tiffany lamp worth $50,000, most standard Maryland home insurance policies will not pay for damage or theft of that item.
However, if you purchased a rider or additional coverage for your original and very old Tiffany lamp, your home insurance policy will cover any damages up to the limit of your coverage. As your independent agent, we would advise you to first seek recovery from the mover if they were the cause of the damage. I, on the other hand, you rented a truck and made the move yourself, then you should file a claim with your home insurance provider.
This subject can get a little confusing. Why not give us a call and talk to an independent agent who can help you decide the best way to pursue a claim for damage to your furniture or other personal items when you are relocating.