Transit Insurance for Household Goods: Cost, Cover and Claims
Transit insurance pays for loss or damage to your household goods while they are being moved. The premium is a percentage of the value you declare: with Multishift it is about 3% of the declared value, so goods declared at ₹2 lakh cost about ₹6,000 to insure. Basic cover often pays only for serious events such as an accident, fire or overturning; wider cover also includes breakage. Declare the full value, photograph valuables before packing, and note any damage on the delivery receipt before you sign.
Most moves go without a scratch, so insurance can feel like an extra. It earns its cost on long-distance moves, with expensive electronics and furniture, and in the monsoon. Here is what it covers, what it costs and how to claim.
What is transit insurance for household goods?
It is a policy, issued by an insurance company, that covers your goods from the time they are packed and loaded until they are unloaded at the new home. Movers arrange it as an optional add-on and collect the premium with the moving charges.
It is different from a mover's own promise to "take care of damage". A policy has a named insurer, a policy number, written exclusions and a claim process; a verbal promise has none of these. Ask for the policy copy before you pay.
What does transit insurance cover, and what does it exclude?
| Event | Basic cover | Wider (all-risk) cover |
|---|---|---|
| Road accident, collision or overturning | Usually covered | Covered |
| Fire in the vehicle | Usually covered | Covered |
| Breakage during handling or transit | Often not covered | Usually covered, subject to the policy |
| Theft of the whole consignment | Depends on the policy | Usually covered |
| Scratches, dents, minor marks | Not covered | Often excluded |
| Electrical or mechanical failure | Not covered | Usually excluded unless there is visible external damage |
| Cash, jewellery, documents | Excluded | Excluded; carry them yourself |
| Goods you packed yourself | Often excluded | Often excluded for breakage |
Every policy words this differently. Read the covered risks and exclusions on your policy, not a summary.
How much does transit insurance cost?
The premium is a percentage of the declared value of your goods. Insurers set the rate by the type of goods (electronics and glass cost more to insure than utensils and clothes), the distance and the route. With us, optional transit insurance is about 3% of the declared value:
| Declared value of goods | Approx. premium at 3% |
|---|---|
| ₹2 lakh | About ₹6,000 |
| ₹5 lakh | About ₹15,000 |
| ₹10 lakh | About ₹30,000 |
The exact premium is confirmed in your written quotation. See our transit insurance service for details.
How should I declare the value of my goods?
- Declare the full current value, not the purchase price of years ago and not a token figure. If you under-declare, insurers can reduce a claim in proportion, so a ₹5 lakh home declared at ₹2 lakh may get only part of a valid claim paid.
- List high-value items separately on the packing inventory: TV, fridge, washing machine, sofa, wardrobes, computers.
- Photograph valuable items before packing, including serial numbers on electronics, and pack them in the right boxes (see packing material for house shifting).
- Keep bills where you have them; they support the value if you need to claim.
Do I need transit insurance for house shifting?
It is optional. As a rough guide:
- Worth taking: intercity moves, homes with expensive electronics or furniture, moves in the monsoon, and goods going into storage.
- Often skipped: short local moves within Navi Mumbai or Mumbai with modest goods, where the risk of a serious accident is low.
Whatever you decide, make sure the quotation says clearly whether insurance is included and at what premium. Our long-distance moving guide covers the other risks of intercity moves.
How do I make a transit insurance claim?
- Inspect at delivery, before the crew leaves. Open cartons marked fragile and check large items.
- Write the damage on the delivery receipt or proof of delivery before you sign. Insurers can refuse claims for damage not noted at delivery.
- Photograph the damaged item, the packing and the carton label.
- Inform the mover in writing the same day, quoting the policy number.
- Submit the claim form with the policy, inventory, photos, repair estimate or bills within the time the policy allows.
- Keep the damaged item until the insurer's surveyor has seen it, if they ask to.
Our step-by-step damage claim guide covers what to do if the mover disputes the claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does transit insurance cost for household goods in India?
It is a percentage of the declared value of your goods, set by the insurer. With Multishift it is about 3% of the declared value, so goods worth ₹2 lakh cost about ₹6,000 to insure.
Is transit insurance compulsory when shifting house?
No, it is optional. It is most worth taking for intercity moves, expensive electronics and furniture, monsoon moves and goods going into storage.
Does transit insurance cover breakage and scratches?
Basic cover often pays only for serious events such as an accident, fire or overturning. Wider cover usually includes breakage, but scratches, dents and electrical faults are commonly excluded. Read the exclusions on your policy.
What happens if I declare a lower value to save premium?
Insurers can reduce a claim in proportion to the under-declaration, so you may receive only part of a valid claim. Declare the full current value of your goods.
How do I claim transit insurance after a move?
Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing, photograph it, inform the mover in writing the same day, and submit the claim form with the policy, inventory, photos and repair estimate within the policy time limit.
Moving expensive goods or going intercity? Ask for transit insurance at your free survey. We list your items with values on the inventory and show the premium in your written quote.
Book a Free Survey Slot Call +91 99877 83407Sources
- Multishift transit insurance page, checked 16 October 2026
- Bajaj General Insurance: insurance for household goods in transit
- Insurer and mover guidance on declared value and proof of delivery, as reported by Outlook Money