Senior moving guide
Senior Moving Insurance: What's Actually Covered
"Moving insurance" is really valuation coverage, and the free default option covers far less than most people assume. Here's how the two federal options actually work.
- Every figure sourced to NASMM, AARP, Census & FMCSA — never invented
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Short answer: The free default, Released Value Protection, pays 60¢ per pound per item regardless of its real value — a 25-pound TV pays out $15 if lost or damaged. Full Value Protection covers replacement value instead, with a $6.00-per-pound federal minimum, and costs more.
60¢/lb
Released Value Protection payout rate (free default)
$6.00/lb
Full Value Protection federal minimum
$15
FMCSA's own example payout for a lost 25-lb TV under Released Value
The two options
Released Value Protection vs. Full Value Protection
Moving insurance — quick facts
Released Value rate
60¢/lb (free default)
Full Value minimum
$6.00/lb
Example payout (25-lb TV)
$15 under Released Value
Best for most households
Full Value Protection
| Released Value Protection | Full Value Protection | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (automatic default) | Added cost, varies by mover |
| Payout basis | Weight — 60¢/lb per article | Replacement value — $6.00/lb federal minimum, higher declared values available |
| Example (25-lb TV) | $15, regardless of TV's actual cost | Repair, replacement, or cash settlement near replacement value |
| Best for | Small shipments of easily replaceable items | Most households, especially with electronics, art, or valuables |
Why this matters more for a senior move
A senior move often carries decades-accumulated belongings with real replacement cost — furniture, art, china, electronics — that a 60-cent-per-pound payout badly undervalues. Given the move is likely a once-in-a-decade event, the added cost of Full Value Protection is usually worth it relative to the risk of an inadequate payout on an irreplaceable moment.
Before move day
What to confirm in writing
- Which valuation option applies by default, and what it costs to upgrade to Full Value Protection
- Whether existing homeowner's or renter's insurance offers any overlapping coverage — check with the insurer directly, don't assume
- What's excluded from moving-company liability entirely (often cash, jewelry, and important documents) — carry these separately
- The claims process and deadline if something is lost or damaged (typically up to nine months post-delivery for interstate moves — see our long-distance moving guide)
Beyond the two federal options
Third-party moving insurance
Separate from a mover's own valuation coverage, some companies sell third-party moving insurance policies with higher coverage limits or fewer exclusions. These aren't regulated the same way as the mover's federal valuation options, so read the policy's exclusions carefully — high-value items like jewelry, art, and collectibles are often capped or excluded entirely unless specifically scheduled and declared in advance. Getting a specific item appraised and listed by name on a policy, rather than assuming general coverage applies, is the only reliable way to know it's actually protected.
Frequently asked questions
Is Released Value Protection actually free?
Yes — it's the free baseline every interstate mover must offer, calculated at 60 cents per pound per article regardless of the item's real value. It's automatic unless a different valuation option is selected in writing before the move.
Why is 60 cents per pound not enough for most households?
Because it pays by weight, not value. FMCSA's own example: a 25-pound TV lost or damaged under Released Value Protection pays out $15 (25 × $0.60) — regardless of what the TV actually cost. Light, valuable items (electronics, art, jewelry, china) are the worst case for this coverage.
What does Full Value Protection actually cover?
The mover is responsible for repair, replacement, or a cash settlement reflecting an item's replacement value — not just its weight. The federal minimum valuation for this option is $6.00 per pound multiplied by shipment weight, though movers can and often do offer higher declared values for an added cost.
Does homeowner's or renter's insurance cover a move?
Sometimes, partially — some policies extend limited coverage to belongings in transit, but many exclude it or cap it well below replacement value. Check with the insurer directly before assuming coverage exists, rather than finding out after a claim is denied.
What should be excluded from the moving truck entirely?
Valuables that are irreplaceable or hard to insure at true value — jewelry, cash, important documents, medications — are best carried separately rather than entrusted to any valuation coverage, moving or otherwise.
Sources
Published 2026-08-30. Not insurance or legal advice — confirm current terms with the specific mover and insurer.