Almost every removal company in York will tell you they're "fully insured." Fewer will actually explain what that means — what's covered, what isn't, and what the numbers on the certificate translate to if something genuinely goes wrong on your move.
Here's the real breakdown, in plain terms, so you know exactly what you're paying for before you book anyone.
Goods in Transit Insurance: What It Actually Covers
Goods in Transit (GIT) insurance covers your belongings while they're being loaded, carried, driven, and unloaded — from the moment they leave your old property to the moment they're placed in your new one.
At 1 Van 1 Man Removals, every competitive, standard house removals York quote automatically packs in £10,000 of comprehensive goods-in-transit protection at zero extra cost to you. If your scale of transit requires smaller furniture drops or flat transitions, our dedicated man and van York team handles your booking safely from just £75/hr.
- Damage during loading or unloading — a scraped wall, a dropped box, a dented wardrobe corner
- Damage in transit — an item shifting and cracking against another during the drive
- Total loss — in the rare event of a serious accident or vehicle fire
We've handled genuinely unusual cargo under this cover before — including delivering a large limestone architectural piece and a 14th-century gilded artefact from a York Minster Stone Auction, items awkward enough in size and weight that most movers wouldn't have taken the job at all. That's the kind of load Goods in Transit insurance exists for.
Your Goods in Transit Coverage Limit
At 1 Van 1 Man Removals, every move is covered by £10,000 of Goods in Transit insurance as standard, included in your quote at no extra cost. For most house moves, this comfortably covers the full contents of the van.
If the total value of what you're moving is likely to exceed £10,000 — a house full of high-end furniture, a valuable art or antique collection, several high-value individual items — you'll need to arrange your own additional insurance to cover the difference. We're happy to talk this through with you at the quoting stage so there are no surprises.
| Situation | Coverage | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Standard house move, total contents under £10,000 | Fully covered under standard GIT policy | No action needed — included as standard |
| Total contents value likely over £10,000 | £10,000 covered; remainder is not | Arrange your own additional insurance for the excess |
| Single high-value item (piano, antique, artwork) | Covered up to the £10,000 policy limit | Flag it at quoting stage so we know it's part of the load |
| Jewellery, cash, documents | Not covered under GIT insurance | Transport these yourself — never left in the van |
What Goods in Transit Insurance Doesn't Cover
This is the part most companies skip over, and it's the part that actually matters. GIT insurance typically excludes:
- Cash, jewellery, and other high-value small items not declared in advance — flag these before moving day so they can be moved by you personally
- Items you packed yourself in a box the mover didn't see the contents of — if a box you packed and sealed is damaged, most policies won't cover what's inside unless the box itself was mishandled
- Pre-existing damage or wear — a wardrobe with a hairline crack before the move isn't a claim if it breaks along that same line
- Plants and pets — never covered, and most removal companies (including us) won't transport live animals in the van at all
- Value above the £10,000 policy limit — arrange your own cover for anything beyond this
Goods in Transit vs Public Liability — What's the Difference?
These two get confused constantly, and they cover completely different things.
Goods in Transit covers your belongings. Public liability covers damage to property — your walls, your new landlord's carpet, a neighbour's parked car — caused by the moving company while working.
A move that scrapes paint off a doorframe while carrying a sofa through is a public liability matter, not a GIT one. A properly insured removal company carries both, and should be able to show you certificates for each on request. At 1 Van 1 Man Removals, we're covered by both as standard and are always happy to share our certificates before you book.
What Happens If Something Is Damaged? The Claims Process
Here's what actually happens, step by step, if damage occurs during your move with us:
- Flag it immediately. Point out any damage to the crew before they leave, and take a photo on the spot if possible.
- Report it in writing. A short email or message to us describing what happened and when, ideally the same day.
- We assess it. We'll ask for photos of the damage and, where relevant, the item's approximate value or a receipt.
- Resolution. Depending on the damage, this is either a repair, a replacement, or a value-based settlement — agreed with you directly, not left open-ended.
The honest answer is that most moves don't involve a claim at all — but knowing this process exists, and that it's genuinely followed, is exactly what separates a properly insured mover from one hoping nothing goes wrong.
Insured Movers vs Uninsured "Man and Van" Operators
A quote significantly cheaper than everyone else's is often cheaper because insurance has been left out entirely — not because the company is more efficient. Here's what that actually means in practice:
| Insured Mover (e.g. 1 Van 1 Man) | Uninsured "Man and Van" | |
|---|---|---|
| Damage during the move | Covered under GIT insurance, up to £10,000 | You pay to replace or repair it yourself |
| Damage to your property | Covered under public liability | No recourse, no claim process |
| Vehicle breakdown mid-move | Commercial cover, recovery plan | Your belongings stranded, no backup |
| Who's driving your van | Vetted, employed crew | Often unverified casual labour |
What to Ask Before You Book Any York Removal Company
- "Can I see your Goods in Transit certificate?" — a legitimate company will produce this without hesitation
- "What's the coverage limit?" — ask exactly what the policy covers per move, and what happens if your belongings' total value goes above that limit
- "Is it included, or is it an add-on?" — some cheaper operators quote a lower headline price and then charge extra for insurance, or don't offer it at all
- "What happens if something's damaged?" — a proper company should be able to describe their claims process clearly, not vaguely
Every move with 1 Van 1 Man Removals — from a standard house removal to a piano or specialist item — is covered by full Goods in Transit and public liability insurance as standard. No add-ons, no fine print, no awkward surprises if something goes wrong.