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Office Relocation Insurance Guide: Cargo Valuation Coverage

What you can actually recover if your goods are lost or damaged in transit — a different question than a mover's Certificate of Insurance.

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Short answer: Office moves fall under the Carmack Amendment, where a released-value limitation (often per pound) caps recovery unless you declare a higher value or buy third-party cargo insurance. This is separate from — and not covered by — the mover's liability COI.

A different insurance concept than a Certificate of Insurance

Two coverages, two questions

This guide addresses a separate question from our Certificate of Insurance guide. A COI proves the mover carries liability coverage for the building itself — it protects the landlord when a mover damages the property. Cargo valuation coverage concerns your goods alone: it determines what you can actually recover if furniture or equipment is lost or damaged while in transit. These are distinct coverages that answer distinct questions — possessing one does not give you the other.

Cargo coverage basics

Governing law

Carmack Amendment (general freight)

Default limitation

Released value, often per pound

Ceiling set by

Declared value on bill of lading

Higher coverage

Declare value up front, or buy third-party cargo insurance

How commercial cargo liability actually works

Carmack Amendment, not household-goods rules

Interstate commercial freight, including most office moves, operates under the Carmack Amendment instead of the household-goods-specific rules that apply to residential moves. Commercial freight contracts commonly use a released-value arrangement: the shipper accepts a maximum liability per pound or per shipment in return for a reduced base rate. The declared value on the bill of lading, not the actual replacement cost of the goods, sets the ceiling on any recovery. Leave that value blank or accept a low default, and the released-value limitation may fall well short of what damaged equipment actually costs to replace.

Declaring a higher value

Arrange it before the move, not after

If your equipment or furniture is worth more than a released-value limitation would cover, you can usually declare a higher value on the bill of lading — you'll pay a higher rate, effectively purchasing additional coverage for that specific shipment. This arrangement must be made before the move; adding a declared value retroactively, after a loss occurs, isn't valid.

What third-party cargo insurance covers Apart from what the mover's liability provides, you can buy third-party cargo or transit insurance to cover the full value of goods while they're in transit, regardless of the mover's own released-value terms. This merits particular consideration for high-value equipment — IT hardware, lab or medical equipment, specialized machinery — where the gap between a released-value limitation and actual replacement cost is widest.

What to ask before signing a moving contract

Get a specific answer, in writing

Ask directly which liability limitation applies by default. Ask whether a higher declared value is available and what it costs. Ask whether the mover recommends or offers third-party cargo insurance for equipment above a certain value. Get a specific answer in writing — otherwise you're left assuming that "insured" on a mover's website means full replacement-value coverage, which is the difference between a real answer and an assumption you'll only test if something goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as a Certificate of Insurance?

No. A COI documents the mover's liability coverage for the building. This guide covers cargo valuation coverage — what you can recover if your own goods are lost or damaged in transit.

How does commercial cargo liability work?

Office moves fall under the Carmack Amendment, not household-goods rules. Under a released-value arrangement, the declared value on the bill of lading — not actual replacement cost — sets the ceiling on recovery, often a set amount per pound unless a higher value is declared.

Can I get more coverage than the default?

Yes — declare a higher value on the bill of lading before the move (at a higher rate), or purchase third-party cargo/transit insurance covering full replacement value regardless of the mover's released-value terms.

What should I ask before signing?

What liability limitation applies by default, whether a higher declared value is available and at what cost, and whether the mover offers or recommends third-party cargo insurance for high-value equipment.

Sources

Published 2026-09-06. Reviewed against sources current as of that date — see how we rate. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.