How to Check If a Removal Company Is Insured: 7 Steps

Table of Contents

• Why Checking a Removal Company's Insurance Matters Before You Book
• Step 1: Ask for a Current Certificate of Insurance
• Step 2: Understand Goods in Transit Insurance for Removals
• Step 3: Confirm Removal Company Public Liability Insurance
• Step 4: Check the Certificate Details Line by Line
• Step 5: Verify the Insurer and Policy Directly
• Common Mistakes When Checking Removal Insurance
• Questions to Ask a Removal Company About Insurance
• What to Do If a Company Cannot Prove It Is Insured
• Booking Your Move with Confidence at Fletcher Removals and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Checking a Removal Company's Insurance Matters Before You Book

Last Updated: October 29, 2026

Moving house is stressful enough without worrying about whether your belongings are covered. Yet many people book a removal company whether insured or not without ever asking, which is a gap worth closing. That is a risk worth avoiding. This guide walks you through clear steps to check if a removal company is insured before you hand over a deposit.

Insurance is the safety net. If a sofa is scratched or a box of crockery breaks during the move, insurance decides whether you get paid. Without it, you may have little recourse at all.

Here is the short version:

• Goods in transit insurance covers your belongings while they are being moved.
• Public liability insurance covers damage a company causes to your property or injury to people on site.
• A current certificate proves the cover is active today, not just last year.

Watch out: Verbal assurances are not proof. A firm that says "we're insured" may still hold a lapsed or limited policy.

Many guides skip the practical side. The steps below focus on what you can actually check, starting with the document itself.

Step 1: Ask for a Current Certificate of Insurance

Ask every removal company for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before you book. To understand whether removal companies provide insurance cover in the first place, read whether removal companies provide insurance cover. A COI is a document from the insurer that confirms the cover exists, what it includes, and when it runs out.

A simple request works best. Say something like: "Please send a current certificate of insurance for goods in transit and public liability, showing the policy dates."

What a genuine certificate shows:

• The name of the insured company, matching the business you are booking
• The insurer's name
• Policy start and end dates that cover your move date
• The types and limits of cover

If a firm cannot or will not send one, treat that as a warning sign. Professional operators are used to this request.

Step 2: Understand Goods in Transit Insurance for Removals

Goods in transit insurance protects your possessions while they travel in the removal vehicle. It is the cover most people care about, yet the terms vary widely.

Read the limits carefully. A policy might cover only a set amount per item or per move. Check whether it covers high-value items such as antiques, electronics or artwork, and whether those need to be declared in advance.

Common points to clarify:

• Is there a cap per item or per load?
• Are valuables excluded unless listed?
• Does the cover apply during storage, if you use it?
• Is there an excess you would have to pay?

Many people assume their home contents insurance will cover a move. Often it will not, so confirm the removal company's cover directly.

Step 3: Confirm Removal Company Public Liability Insurance

Public liability insurance protects you and others if the removal team causes harm (Insuring your business). For example, a worker might damage your staircase, scratch a neighbour's car while loading, or injure someone on the pavement.

This cover is separate from goods in transit insurance, so check for both. A company may hold one without the other.

Ask whether the public liability limit is adequate for the work. Larger house moves and commercial relocations usually need higher limits than a small flat move.

Compare the certificate against your own property. If the team works on upper floors or uses a lift, ask how those risks are covered.

Step 4: Check the Certificate Details Line by Line

Once you have the certificate, read it properly rather than skimming for a logo. Small details matter.

Use this checklist:

Send →

• The insured name matches the company you are booking
• The policy dates include your moving date
• Goods in transit cover is listed
• Public liability cover is listed
• The limits suit the size of your move
• The document looks current and is not edited or blurred

A common mistake is accepting a certificate for a trading name rather than the legal company. If the names differ, ask for clarification before you pay anything.

The checklist above is easier to scan when the key certificate details are set out together:

Step 5: Verify the Insurer and Policy Directly

A certificate can be faked or misread, so it helps to confirm the policy with the insurer. Look up the insurance company independently, using contact details from its official website rather than from the certificate.

Ask the insurer to confirm:

• That the policy exists
• The policy holder's name
• The cover dates and limits

Insurers handle these checks regularly and will usually confirm the details with the policyholder's permission. If the company refuses to allow a check, that is worth noting.

It is also sensible to check whether the removal company is a member of a recognised trade body, as membership often requires cover to be in place. Verify membership directly with that body, not just from the company's own marketing.

Common Mistakes When Checking Removal Insurance

Most problems come from a few predictable errors. Watch for these:

• Accepting a certificate without dates. A document with no expiry date tells you little about whether cover runs on your move day.
• Assuming cover is automatic. A company may hold insurance for its business but not extend it to every service you buy.
• Confusing the two types. Goods in transit and public liability protect different things. Missing one leaves a gap.
• Ignoring limits. Cover can exist but be too small to matter for a valuable collection.
• Relying on reviews alone. Positive feedback does not prove a policy is in force.

Avoid these errors by asking for the paperwork early, in writing, before you sign a contract.

Questions to Ask a Removal Company About Insurance

Use these questions when you call or email. Clear answers suggest a professional firm.

1. Can you send a current certificate of insurance showing goods in transit and public liability?
2. What are the policy start and end dates?
3. What is the limit of cover per item and per move?
4. Are high-value or fragile items covered, and do they need to be declared?
5. Is there an excess I would need to pay on a claim?
6. Who is the insurer, and can I check the policy with them?
7. How do you handle a claim if something is damaged?

A good removal company will answer these plainly. Vague or evasive replies are a reason to look elsewhere. If you are still building your shortlist, find insured removal companies with a method for checking firms before you compare them.

What to Do If a Company Cannot Prove It Is Insured

If a firm cannot produce a certificate or gives unclear answers, do not pay a deposit. Look for another provider who can show proof of cover.

Practical steps:

• Keep all emails and quotes as a record
• Do not rely on verbal promises
• Check your own home contents policy in case it offers some protection, though it may not replace removal cover
• Consider a different company that can show a valid certificate

If you have already booked and then discover the cover is missing, contact the company in writing straight away and ask for proof. Keep records of every message in case you need them later.

Booking Your Move with Confidence at Fletcher Removals and Storage

At Fletcher Removals and Storage, we understand that a careful customer wants to know the removal company's insurance status before anything else is settled. Our approach is personal, our staff are trained and uniformed, and our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees.

If you would like to talk through your move, the best next step is to get in touch. Ask us for your certificate, bring your list of questions, and we will walk you through the cover that applies to your belongings. Freedom of Information and consumer guidance on choosing a removal firm

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