Your expensive TV falls down the stairs during the move and smashes. The driver shrugs: "Sorry mate, not my problem. You should have bought insurance." But weren't they supposed to be insured?
Here's the dirty secret: many man and van operators work without proper insurance. They'll quote £40/hour but won't mention that your belongings have zero protection if something goes wrong. When damage happens, you discover they're not covered - and neither are you.
This guide covers everything you need to know about man and van insurance: what coverage to demand, how to verify it's real, red flags that warn you're dealing with an uninsured operator, and what to do if your belongings get damaged.
3 Essential Types of Insurance
Every legitimate man and van service should have these three types of insurance:
1. Goods in Transit Insurance
This covers YOUR belongings while they're being transported. If items get damaged, lost, or stolen during the move, this insurance pays for replacements.
What It Covers:
- • Damage during loading/unloading
- • Breakages in transit
- • Items stolen from van
- • Loss due to accidents
What It Doesn't Cover:
- • Pre-existing damage
- • Normal wear and tear
- • Inadequate packing (usually)
- • Items worth over policy limit
Minimum coverage: £5,000 for small jobs, £10,000+ for household moves. Check if it's "all risks" or just fire/theft coverage.
2. Public Liability Insurance
This covers damage to OTHER PEOPLE'S property. If the movers scratch your landlord's walls, damage the lift, or break something belonging to neighbors, this pays for repairs.
Common Claims:
- • Scuffed walls/doorframes
- • Damaged lift or stairs
- • Broken communal property
- • Accidental injury to others
Typical Coverage:
- • £1-2 million standard
- • £5 million for larger firms
- • Covers legal costs too
- • Essential for block of flats
3. Commercial Vehicle Insurance
Standard car insurance doesn't cover commercial use. Man and van services need proper commercial insurance for their vehicles when carrying paying customers' goods.
Why This Matters:
If they only have personal car insurance, they're driving illegally when carrying your goods for payment. If there's an accident, insurance could be void and you have no protection.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Here's what level of insurance to look for based on your move:
| Move Type | Goods in Transit | Public Liability |
|---|---|---|
| Single item delivery | £2,000-5,000 | £1 million min |
| Student room/studio | £5,000 | £1 million min |
| 1-2 bed flat | £10,000 | £2 million |
| 3+ bed house | £20,000+ | £2-5 million |
| High-value items | Declare separately | £2 million min |
High-Value Items
Items worth £500+ often need separate declaration. This includes TVs, computers, jewelry, antiques, artwork. Standard coverage may be limited per item.
Coverage Calculation
Quick estimate: add up electronics + furniture + clothes/books. Most 1-bed flats have £8,000-15,000 worth of belongings when you actually count everything.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Don't just ask "are you insured?" - that's too vague. Ask these specific questions:
"Can you send me your insurance certificates?"
Legitimate companies provide these immediately. If they make excuses, stall, or say they'll "bring them on the day," walk away.
Good answer: "Of course, I'll email them over now." Red flag: "We don't need to share that" or "It's all sorted, don't worry."
"What's your goods in transit coverage amount?"
Should be at least £5,000, ideally £10,000+. If they say "fully covered" or "comprehensive" without giving numbers, press for specifics.
"Is this all risks or named perils coverage?"
"All risks" is better - covers everything except specific exclusions. "Named perils" only covers specific events like fire/theft.
Follow-up: If they say "named perils," ask exactly what events are covered. Basic fire/theft coverage isn't enough for most moves.
"What's the excess/deductible?"
How much do YOU pay before insurance kicks in? Should be £50-200 maximum. High excess (£500+) means you're effectively unprotected for minor damage.
"Do I need to declare high-value items separately?"
Most policies limit coverage per item (often £500-1000). Items worth more need special declaration before the move.
Verifying Insurance Documents
When you receive insurance certificates, check:
- • Company name exactly matches the one you're booking
- • Policy dates cover your moving day
- • Coverage amounts meet your needs
- • Insurer is real (check FCA register if UK-based)
- • Policy number and contact details included
Red Flags: Signs of Uninsured Operators
These warning signs suggest you're dealing with an uninsured or underinsured service:
Won't Provide Insurance Documents
"You don't need to see that," "It's all sorted," or "We'll bring them on the day." Legitimate operators share certificates immediately.
Cash Only, No Receipt
Insured businesses run proper books and accept card payments. Cash-only operators often avoid taxes and insurance requirements.
Extremely Cheap Prices
If they're 50%+ cheaper than everyone else, question why. Insurance costs money - uninsured operators can undercut legitimate businesses.
"Insurance Isn't Necessary"
"It's only a small job," "We're very careful," or "Nothing will go wrong." This is how uninsured operators justify not having coverage.
No Business Address
Mobile number only, PO Box, or residential address. Insured businesses usually have proper commercial addresses and business registration.
Liability Waivers or Disclaimers
"Customer accepts all risk," "We're not responsible for damage," or asking you to sign waivers. This suggests they're not properly insured.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off about their insurance answers, or they're evasive about coverage details, find another company. It's not worth risking thousands of pounds in belongings to save £20-30 on a cheaper quote.
What to Do If Your Items Get Damaged
Despite all precautions, sometimes damage happens. Here's your action plan:
Document Everything Immediately
Take photos of the damage from multiple angles. If possible, get the driver to acknowledge the damage in writing on the job sheet or receipt.
Important: Don't sign completion or release forms until damage is noted. Once you sign that everything was delivered "in good condition," claims become much harder.
Contact the Company Immediately
Call them the same day, followed by email with photos. Most insurance policies require damage to be reported within 24-48 hours.
Gather Evidence of Value
Find receipts, bank statements, or online listings showing what you paid for damaged items. For older items, research current replacement costs.
Get Repair/Replacement Quotes
For repairable items, get written quotes from repair services. For irreparable damage, find quotes for exact or equivalent replacements.
Follow Up Persistently
Insurance claims can take weeks to process. Keep calling/emailing for updates. Get claim reference numbers and contact details for the insurance company directly.
What Usually Gets Paid
- • Clear accident damage
- • Items with receipts/proof of value
- • Damage noted at time of delivery
- • Professional repair quotes
What Often Gets Rejected
- • Pre-existing damage
- • Damage discovered days later
- • Items with no proof of value
- • Normal wear and tear
Van Thats Quick Insurance Coverage
Full Protection for Your Peace of Mind
Our Insurance Coverage:
- £10,000 Goods in Transit: All-risks coverage for your belongings
- £2 Million Public Liability: Property damage protection
- Full Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Legal compliance guaranteed
- Certificates provided upfront: View coverage before booking
Claims Process:
- • Report damage immediately via phone/email
- • Same-day acknowledgment of claims
- • Direct liaison with insurers
- • Typical payout within 14 days
- • £100 excess maximum
- • No quibbling on valid claims
Why Our Insurance Is Better:
- • Underwritten by A-rated insurers
- • No exclusions for "customer error"
- • Covers assembly/disassembly damage
- • 24/7 emergency claims line
- • Pre-approved repair networks
- • Replacement value, not depreciated
- • No disputes on policy interpretation
- • Additional coverage for high-value items
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance should a man and van have?
All legitimate man and van services should have: Goods in Transit insurance (covers your belongings), Public Liability insurance (covers damage to property), and proper commercial vehicle insurance. Ask to see certificates before booking.
How much goods in transit insurance do I need?
Minimum £5,000, but £10,000+ is better for household moves. This covers the value of belongings in case of damage, loss, or theft during transport. Check the policy covers 'all risks' not just fire and theft.
What are the red flags of uninsured man and van services?
Warning signs include: won't provide insurance certificates, cash-only payments, no written receipts, very cheap prices, avoid giving business details, pressure you to book immediately, or claim insurance 'isn't necessary' for small jobs.
What should I do if my belongings get damaged during a move?
Immediately: document damage with photos, get written acknowledgment from driver, don't sign completion until damage is noted. Then contact the company to start a claim, providing photos and receipts showing item values.
Does my home insurance cover items during a move?
Usually not. Most home insurance stops covering belongings once they leave your property. Some policies have 'temporary removal' clauses but these typically exclude commercial transport. Always use a properly insured removal service.
How do I verify a man and van's insurance is real?
Ask for insurance certificates and check: company name matches, current dates, adequate coverage amounts, insurer is real (check FCA register). Legitimate companies provide this information immediately without hesitation.
Move with Complete Protection
Fully insured service with £10,000 goods in transit coverage and £2M public liability. View our certificates before booking.