解读国际搬家保险 Intl. Moving Insurance Q & A

They both have a fair share of advantage and disadvantage, it depends on what you are using them for.

• Itemized Insurance would request to list “everything” which sounds time-consuming, but it might cost less than Lump-sum.

• Lump-sum, which goes with a defined Minimum Value per Cubic Meter (for conciseness, we use MVP as abbreviation in this article) plus High Value (HV as abbreviation) as total declared goods value, is usually saving time because only HV list is required. However, for most shipments, the costs might be more expensive because MPV might be higher than the actual value and only favors the insurer.

• When comparing Lump-sum, many people tend to focus primarily on premium rates, which is understandable. However, it’s equally important to consider the MVP and HV threshold. A lower MVP generally means lower overall costs for the insured. Similarly, a higher HV threshold results in lower premiums for high-value items.

• For instance, a Lump-sum policy with MVP $3,000 offers more savings compared to one with a $4,000.

• Likewise, if a policy has a HV threshold of $1,000, it will incur higher additional premiums for high-value items compared to a policy with a $2,000 HV threshold. This is because the lower HV threshold means more of the insured amount falls into the HV category, leading to higher premiums.

它们各有优缺点，取决于您使用它们的目的。

• 逐项申报保险会要求列出“所有物品”，感觉更为耗时，但可能比一次性保险便宜。

• 一揽子保险，以定义的每立方米最低价值（为防止冗长本文缩写为 MVP）加上高价值物品（缩写为 HV）作为货物申报总价值，通常可以节省时间，因为投保人只需要列明 HV 清单，但对于大多数货物而言，费用可能会更高。因为MVP的定价标准可能远远高于实际情况,只对保险公司有利。

• 在比较一次性保险时，许多人往往主要关注保费率，这是可以理解的。但是，考虑 MVP 和 HV 门槛也同样重要。较低的 MVP 通常意味着投保人的总成本较低。同样，较高的 HV 门槛会导致高价值物品的保费较低。

• 例如，MVP为 4,000 美元的，MVP 为 3,000 美元的一次性保险可以节省更多。

• 同样，如果保单的 HV 为 1,000 美元，与 HV 门槛为 2,000 美元的保单相比，它对高价值物品产生的额外保费更高。这是因为，较低的 HV 门槛意味着更多的物品需要申报 HV 类别，从而HV总金额进一步让保费水涨船高。

The answer for Itemized Insurance is yes, It might sound very difficult but when you list everything by going through each location/room of house, it would be just as easy as 20–40 minutes.  You may break down the task like this: 

• Write down bulky and high value first : List each room/location furniture and high value first, you find each room takes you maximum 5 minutes. 

• Write down small things later: Write down small things later such as kitchen, books, clothes, shoes.

• Should I count every small item? In theory, it's ideal to list everything precisely, but in practice, that can be difficult. Most insurers would accept your best estimate of the total amount.

  However, it's important to list high-value items separately. For example, if you have a Louis Vuitton bag worth $4,000, you shouldn't group it with a $400 bag, as this would significantly undervalue the more expensive one and affect your claim if any. 

• In other words, if the value of an item is inconsistent with similar items, especially if it is too high, you should consider listing it separately.
  

Under Lump-sum, the answer is no, but to list HV goods, and your insurance policy would define “HV” threshold.

It's significant to note that whether you choose Itemize or Lump-sum, there are certain items that both the moving company and the insurer will refuse to handle or insure. These include, but are not limited to: cash, jewelry, watches, collectibles, irreplaceable documents, ivory and related products, as well as other items prohibited under international agreements. The exact list of exclusions may vary slightly depending on the specific terms of the insurance policy.

对于逐项申报保险来说答案是肯定的，虽然听起来任务“艰巨”、相当费时，但是当您通过分解任务每个房间的列出物品，然后逐个房间填写申报，可能总共只会花费 20-40 分钟完成。

分解任务可以这样进行：

• 首先写下每个房间大件家具和高价值物品，您会发现每个房间最多需要 5 分钟。

• 稍后写下小东西：接着写下厨房、书籍、衣服、鞋子等小物件。

我应该细数每类小物件吗？

比如衣服，鞋子？

列出所有物品的精确清单是最理想的做法，但在实际操作中可能较为困难。不过，大多数保险公司似乎都接受根据实际情况所做的最佳估算。

但是，“HV”高价值物品，要特别注意，例如，如果您有一个价值 4,000 美元的 Louis Vuitton 包，它不应将其与价值 400 美元的包放在一起申报，因为这样LV包会被“平均”，4000美元的价值会变成2200美元，这样会很大程度的影响可能发生的理赔。

也就是说但凡物品价值和同类不一致的，特别是偏高的，您都应该考虑单独列明。

一揽子保险，答案是否定的，就是只需要列出根据保险政策的定义，列出“高价值物品”既可。

需要注意的是，无论是一揽子保险还是逐项申报保险，有些物品不光搬家公司拒绝搬运，保险公司也会拒绝承保，包括不限于：现金、珠宝、手表、收藏品、无法估计价值的重要文书、象牙及制品等国际协议框架下禁运物品，具体排除协议视保险协议不同可能略有不同。

It's quite common for the insured to say they don't know the value of their goods, and many may even claim their items have “no value.”

Some might also say their belongings hold more sentimental value.

Nevertheless, this is not the way the insurance works.

Under an Itemized Policy, most insurers/underwriters would only provide one methodology to define value: “Destination Replacement Value.” In other words, the insured should think about the cost of buying a new item at the destination when declaring the value and as such, using a depreciated value is incorrect.

For Lump-Sum Policy, the minimum requirement is based on MVP. 

If the insured believes their goods are worth more than the set MVP, they can request an increase.

投保人经常说他们不知道自己物品的价值，许多人甚至觉得他们的物品几乎“没有价值”。

有些人还可能说他们的物品情感价值更甚。

但是这些都不是保险申报的依据。

在逐项申报的保险政策下，几乎所有的保险公司只有一种定义价值的方法：“目的地重置价值”。换句话说，投保人在申报价值时应该考虑在目的地购买新物品的成本，可以简单好记的理解为”换新价“， 所以使用折旧后残值申报并不合适。

对于一揽子保险，估价的最低要求是根据体积和MVP 另加HV。

在某些情况，如果投保人认为他们的物品价值超过MVP，他们可以要求申请增加价值到符合实际应申报价值。

At times, you may find the insurer's form too restrictive or cumbersome to use, especially if you already have your own property inventory or valuation list from a previous move. In many cases, you might be allowed to use your own form, as it can save time.

However, you will likely need to make adjustments to your form to meet the insurer's requirements and still agree to their policy terms by, for example, signing the policy and form. Don’t worry about the adjustments — they usually require minimal effort and are not too time-consuming.

有时候，你可能会发现保险公司的表格过于死板或繁琐，尤其是如果您已经有自己的财产清单或上次搬家时的价值清单。大多数情况下，你可能会被允许使用自己的表格，因为这样可以节省时间。

但是，您可能需要对表格进行调整以满足保险公司的要求，同时仍同意他们的保单条款，比如签署他们表格和协议。但不要担心表格调整任务——因为它基本不费时费力。

If the insured goods have been undervalued, the claim would be at the same percentage averaged. It means for example if goods declared at only 50% of it should be, the final claim will be also paid 50% of what it should be (some may call it co-insurance penalty). It also limits the maximum that the insurer could compensate when total lost /missing happens. Therefore, undervaluing your goods might not save you cost.

如果被保险货物被低估申报，最终的赔付也将可能会按照相应的比例缩水。

意思就是，比如，如果货物申报价值仅为应有价值 50%，最终理赔金额也会是应有理赔额度的 50%（有些人可能称之为共同保险罚款）。

而且这也限制了保险公司在发生全损/丢失时可以赔偿的最高金额。因此，低申报可能不会为您节省成本反而带来潜在损失。

Storage insurance is a type of moving insurance that many insured and even movers tend to overlook, but it’s crucial to have.

It mainly provides risk protection for goods requiring short term storage during transit.

Although many (not all)  international moving insurance policies include some period of storage coverage during transit, both the insured and movers should be careful not to miss extending the storage insurance. Failing to extend it can void the entire international moving insurance policy. 

Therefore, it's wise to confirm whether your international moving insurance policy includes storage insurance, how long the coverage lasts, and the cost of any extensions. If storage insurance is not included, you should inquire about the rates.

仓储保险是许多投保人甚至搬家公司都容易忽视的一种保险，但它却至关重要。

它主要提供的运输途中某些需要短时停留仓库的风险保障。

虽然许多（并非全部）国际搬家保险政策都包括运输期间的一定期限的仓储保险，但投保人和搬家公司都应注意仓储保险的时效并且不要错过仓储保险的延期。没有或者未能及时延期仓储保险可能会导致整个既有国际搬家保险失效。

因此，明智的做法是确认购买的国际搬家保险政策是否包括仓储保险、保险期限以及和可能的展期的费用。

如果国际搬家主险不包括仓储保险，您应该询问额外增加仓储保险是否适用以及其费率。

There are three common additional coverages, some insurance policy would include them free of charge, some with extra charges and some do not at all!

• Pairs and Sets

  In general, it means If any part of a matching set or a pair of items (like a pair of lamps or a dinnerware set) is damaged during the move, the underwriter/Insurance company will cover the cost of replacing the entire set. Even if only one item is damaged. The value of the set is diminished without the complete pair or set.

• Mechanical, electrical, or electronic derangement

  Refers to an internal malfunction in an electric device, like a washing machine or television, where the components fail without any visible external damage. The device have been working fine before packing and moving, but stops functioning properly upon delivery.

• Mold and Mildew

  The insurance coverage that may provide protection against mold or mildew damage if caused by a covered event, but often excludes damage from neglect, flooding, or long-term moisture issues.
  

So our suggestion is first to verify if they are available and if yes, whether they are chargeable, and then review and clarify the exact written policy about. Because they only work with strict conditions.

For example, Mold and Mildew may not cover poor maintained like clothes and linens, being unclean and with heavy humidity before packing.

Insurance company would only allow within a set period of delivery to report claim, it varies from 40 days -60 days depending on policy. 

It is highly suggested to report immediately whatever damage you have, regardless if you have fully unpacked everything, or if you don't have full documents to file the claim. 

It is very commonly seen that not all deliveries are requested full unpacking, but it is highly recommended to unpack at least all furniture, valuables and fragile with witness and record of movers.  

Do not worry about not getting all done once with your claim. Most underwriters nowadays handles claim online with unique portal, it offers web flexibility to maintain claim along unpacking process goes. It means you can keep uploading new findings with the portal. The key is to create a claim first (this is kind of “reporting a claim”) and submit later but within requested time. 

You may immediately inform your mover (the one you made contract, and you paid the insurance cost through), who usually has the precise guide of claim. Your movers are anyway involved to provide shipping documents, such as bill of lading, to validate your claim. Their awareness would help facilitate the whole process.

保险公司只允许在送货后的一定时间内报告索赔，根据政策不同，期限从 40 天到 60 天不等。但是我们一般强烈建议您立即报告所遭受的任何损失，无论您是否已完全拆开所有包装，或者您没有准备好完备的文件来提出索赔。

很多时候，并非所有搬家送货客户都要求工人完全拆开所有包装，这时我们强烈建议在搬运工的见证和记录下至少拆包所有家具、贵重物品和易碎物品。

不用担心索赔流程不能一次完成。如今，大多数保险公司都通过门户网站在线处理索赔，它提供了极大的灵活性，可以在拆包进展维护添加索赔信息。这意味着您可以继续通过门户网站上传新的破损物品。

关键是先创建”索赔案件“（这就是“报告索赔”），然后在要求的时间内提交。

我们也建议在发现破损等损失时立即通知您的搬家公司（特别是与您签订合同并通过其支付保险费用的搬家公司），因为他们通常有准确的索赔指南的实务操作经验。

无论如何，您的搬家公司都有义务提供运输文件，例如运输提单等，以验证您的索赔。他们及时获悉你的理赔要求将有助于理赔流程及时完备的推进。

Most moving claims are with just some minimum damage. The insured will not be supported to request full amount compensation of declared amount but a repairable amount. At the underwriter's discretion, the insured should provide a repair estimate. A repair estimate should be done by a reliable third party in the local area.  

Sometimes, the insured, finds nowhere to find a repairing company to do such estimate. He may reach out to the underwriter, who might have the network to supply a company doing that. 

With the development of technology, more and more repair estimates can even be completed virtually, which not only saves travels costs, but also breaks through geographical restrictions and increases the options for repair firms.

If necessary, the insurance company/underwriter may arrange for independent surveys based on the size or type of your claim. They have the right, at their discretion, to either replace the damaged item with one of similar type and quality, repair it, or provide a cash settlement, which will not exceed the insured value.

From practice, third party are only involved when the claim is huge and requires further information to justify the amount.

大多数搬家索赔都只是一些较小的损坏损失。投保人不可以要求全额赔偿申报金额，但可以要求赔偿维修成本。根据保险人的判断，某些物品的理赔，需要投保人提供维修估价报价。维修估算应由当地可靠的第三方完成。

有时候，投保人找不到维修公司来做这样的估算。他可以联系保险人，保险人可能有合适的公司资源提供来执行维修估算的任务。

如有必要，保险公司/保险人可以根据索赔的规模或类型安排独立调查。他们有权自行决定用类似类型和质量的物品替换受损物品、修复它或提供不超过保险价值的现金赔偿。

随着科技的发展，越来越多的维修估价甚至可以在线上完成，这不仅节省了交通成本，还突破了地域限制，增加了维修机构的选择空间。

从实践来看，只有当索赔金额巨大且需要更多信息来证明金额合理时，独立第三方才会参与调查。

Even if you're offered a moving proposal with “all-risk” insurance, it doesn’t mean you’re 100% covered, as every insurance policy comes with exceptions and exclusions. The insured should carefully review the policy, especially the exclusions, some of which may be unexpected.

Here are two common exclusions that might surprise you:

• Some policies won’t cover damage to pressed wood, even if it may be caused by an external physical incident, as part of “all-risk”.

• Other policies may exclude coverage for any (external and internal)damage to televisions.

• Self packed boxes (known as "PBO” ,packed by owner”) are excluded,
  

即使你得到提供“全险”搬家保险的方案，也并不意味着您理赔能得到100% 的得到赔偿，因为每份保单都有例外和排除条款。投保人应仔细查看保单，尤其是排除条款，其中一些条款可能出乎你的常识预期。

以下是几种常见的排除条款，其中个别可能让你觉得意外：

• 有些保单不承保压缩板材的损失，即使它是由外部物理事件造成的，作为“全险”的一部分。

• 有些保险则将电视机的一切破损排除,不予承保。

• 客户自行打包的物品不予承保。

The answer is NO!

Like many property insurance, you should never dispose of damaged property without getting written approval from your insurer.

Why not?

Salvage: In many cases, insurers have the right to salvage the damaged item. Even if it’s in bad shape, the item may still have some value that the insurer can recover. Throwing it away might prevent the insurer from recouping those costs.

Claim Processing: Accurate documentation—such as photos, assessments, or an in-person inspection—helps ensure your claim is handled properly. If you get rid of the item too soon, it may interfere with the adjuster’s evaluation or even cause your claim to be denied.

Always check with your insurer before taking any action with damaged property to make sure you're following the terms of your policy.

That said, if the items are completely ruined, and you have nowhere to store them, contact your insurer for guidance. They may offer alternative solutions，especially in some water damage insurance cases, the items may have become moldy and smelly, and the keeping it is obviously unreasonable. 

Finally, taking photos and videos as evidence when such incidents occur can greatly protect the interests of the goods owner.

答案是“不”！

和很多财产保险类似，未经保险公司书面批准，您绝不应擅自处理受损财产。

为什么不可以？

残值抢救：在许多情况下，保险公司有权抢救受损物品。即使物品状况不佳，该物品仍可能具有保险公司可以收回的一些价值。将其擅自处理可能会让保险公司损失其残值。

索赔处理流程：准确的文件（例如照片、评估或现场检查）有助于确保您的索赔得到妥善处理。如果您过早处理该物品，可能会干扰理赔员的评估，导致保险调查无据可依，导致您的索赔延期甚至被拒。

在对受损财产采取任何行动之前，请务必咨询您的保险公司，以确保您遵守保单条款。

话虽如此，如果物品完全损坏，而你又无处存放，你应该立刻联系您的保险公司寻求指导。他们可能会提供合规并方便您的可选方案，特别在一些水渍险案列中，可能物品已经发霉变味，存放保存显然并不合理。

最后，发生此类事件时拍摄照片和视频作为证据能够极大可能保护物主的利益。 

All-risk moving and storage insurance often do not cover any incidents happens when goods stored in mini storage facilities for several reasons:

Security Concerns: Most mini storage facility offer full accessibility to goods owner with unit key, this might have made insurer to believe it is more vulnerable to theft or vandalism. 

Environmental Controls: Many mini storage units do not offer proper climate control, increasing the risk of damage from humidity, temperature changes, or pests, which may not be acceptable to insurers.

Professional Handling: Mini storage facilities typically don't provide professional handling when moving goods in and out. In contrast, mover-operated storage facilities have trained staff and proper handling equipment. This reduces the risk of human error and negligence, which can be higher in a self-storage facility.

However, these may be the conclusions of the insurers' stereotype about mini-storage companies. In fact, in many emerging markets, such as the China market, the mini-storage facilities and equipment have met or even completely exceeded the insurance companies' requirements in my opinion. Perhaps the insurance companies' policy needs to keep pace with the times, at least they should consider special cases and special approvals.

For the insured, it is very important to verify this clause before purchasing. If the mini storage is indispensable but for the exclusion clause, the insurer can provide the operator information and attempt to apply for special approval.

全险搬家和仓储保险通常不承保将货物存放在迷你仓储设施中时发生的任何事故，以下为可能的原因：

安全问题：大多数迷你仓储设施都为的货主提供其仓储单元完全的访问权限，这可能会让保险公司认为它更容易被盗窃或故意破坏。

环境控制：许多迷你仓储单元没有提供适当的气候控制，增加了湿度、温度变化或害虫造成损害的风险，这可能不是保险公司可以接受的。

专业操作：迷你仓储在进出货物时通常不提供专业处理，而是货主自行处理。相比之下，搬家公司运营的仓储设施拥有训练有素的员工和合适的机械设备。这降低了人为错误和疏忽的风险，相比而言，自助仓储设施中的人为错误和疏忽风险可能更高。

然而，这些可能是保险公司对迷你仓储公司的刻板印象。事实上，在作者看来，在许多新兴市场，例如中国市场，迷你仓储设施和设备已经能够满足甚至超出了保险公司的相关要求。也许保险公司的政策需要与时俱进，至少应该考虑特殊情况和特事特批。

对于投保人来说，投保前核实这一条款非常关键。如果迷你仓非用不可，但为排除条款，可以向保险公司提供运营者信息，尝试申请保险公司的特批。