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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

A stack of official documents and a certificate on a desk — Cargo valuation is a different question than building liability

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.

Filing a claim, and what your existing insurance doesn't cover

Documentation is what determines the outcome

Document damage at delivery before you sign an unqualified receipt — that's the first step. After that, submit the claim in writing, including photos and a description of what was damaged, citing the declared or released value on file with the mover. Response and resolution timelines differ by carrier and by claim complexity, but the element that matters most is documentation created on the spot, not pieced together afterward from memory.

Your general business property or liability policy usually won't cover goods while they're in transit — that's the job of the mover's cargo liability coverage, or a separate third-party cargo policy. Ask your commercial insurance broker whether your current policy includes any transit protection, but verify it directly rather than assuming it's there; gaps here are common.

Timing and deductibles You generally need to set up declared value and third-party cargo insurance before the move starts, not on the day itself — both insurers and movers need time to underwrite the risk. Terms on deductibles vary by mover and by whether you're relying on default released-value liability or a purchased third-party policy — ask outright and get it in writing alongside the coverage limit.

A fountain pen resting on a signed insurance policy — The declared value is set before the move, not after

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.

How does a cargo claim actually get processed?

Document damage at delivery before signing an unqualified receipt, then submit the claim in writing with photos and a description of damaged items against the declared or released value on file. Documentation created on the spot is the biggest factor in how smoothly a claim resolves.

Does my existing business insurance cover a move?

Not automatically — general business property or liability insurance doesn't typically cover goods in transit. That's specifically what the mover's cargo liability or a separate third-party cargo policy is for. Confirm directly with your broker rather than assuming coverage exists.

Can cargo insurance be purchased the day of the move?

No — declared value and third-party cargo insurance generally need to be arranged before the move begins, since insurers and movers need lead time to underwrite or apply higher coverage.

Is there a deductible on cargo claims?

Terms vary by mover and by whether coverage is the default released-value liability or a purchased third-party policy — ask directly and get it in writing at the same time as the coverage limit.

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.