Moving liability cover can make a difference when one chair from a matching dining set arrives damaged. Whether a valid claim covers a repair or replacement depends on the option you selected and the terms in your quote.
Start with the name of the cover on your quote
Look for the option you’ve actually selected. Total Loss Only applies when a covered event causes the loss of the entire consignment. A single damaged chair doesn’t meet that condition. All Risk Liability can respond to loss or damage to individual declared items, subject to its terms, exclusions and excess.
Ask for written confirmation of the option, whether its cost is included in the total, and what you need to submit before the move for it to take effect.
What does replacement value mean?
For household effects under All Risk, the Value Declaration asks what it would cost to replace the item at destination. If you bought a dining chair years ago, the amount on the original receipt may be quite different from the cost of buying its equivalent today. For an overseas move, the declaration asks you to express that destination value in rand.
The declaration matters: leaving an item off the list or declaring too little can affect what you recover. But declaring the full value does not mean you automatically receive that amount. If the chipped backrest can be repaired satisfactorily, a repair is one way a valid claim can be settled.
What would you pay towards a claim?
The excess is the amount you bear on a valid claim. Look for both a percentage and a minimum. For example, if your own quote specifies an excess of 5% with a R3,500 minimum, the excess on a R10,000 approved damage claim would be R3,500. Five per cent comes to R500, so the minimum applies. Check the excess for the particular loss you’re asking about; theft and accidental damage can carry different terms.
Does it matter who packed the box?
Yes. A glass breaking inside a carton you packed is a different event from the whole carton going missing. Execu-Move’s domestic summary excludes damage to owner-packed contents but treats non-delivery of an entire package separately, subject to the trading conditions. If you plan to pack your own breakables, clarify this before choosing your packing service.
What should you do if something arrives damaged?
Note visible damage or missing items on the delivery paperwork. Take a photo of the whole item and a close-up of the damage, then notify the branch in writing promptly. Keep the damaged item until the claim is finalised. Ask for two dates: when notice must reach the branch and when the supporting documents are due.
When comparing quotes, give both movers the same item and the same scenario: If one of my six dining chairs is damaged, what would this option cover, what excess would I pay, and by when must I report it? The answers tell you more than the word covered on its own.
Frequently asked questions about moving liability cover
Is my moving inventory enough to activate All Risk Liability cover?
No. An inventory tells the crew what to move. The Value Declaration tells Execu-Move which items you want covered and their replacement values. For All Risk Liability cover, you need to select the option and submit a completed declaration for approval before packing. Check the submission date and payment requirements on your quote.
If I declare my sofa at R15,000, will I receive R15,000 if it’s damaged?
Not automatically. The declared amount records the sofa’s replacement value. If the damage qualifies and the sofa can be repaired satisfactorily, the underwriter may choose to pay for the repair. The excess on your selected cover also applies.
Can I group all my dining chairs under one value?
Yes, if they’re worth the same amount. Execu-Move’s All Risk Q&A explains that items listed together are treated as having equal value unless you specify otherwise. If two upholstered armchairs are worth more than the four standard chairs, list them separately with their respective values.
Should I wait for a repair quote before reporting damage?
No. Notify your Execu-Move branch in writing as soon as you discover the damage. Photograph the item, note any visible damage on the delivery paperwork and keep it until the claim is finalised. The deadline for reporting damage and the deadline for submitting repair quotes or other evidence are separate. Check both in the documents issued for your move.
