You have ticked every box: utilities connected, mail redirected, and boxes packed. You assume your existing Home & Contents insurance will protect your belongings during the move. After all, you've paid your premiums for years, right?

This is one of the most common—and expensive—misconceptions in the Australian moving industry.

While some insurers offer "transit cover," the fine print often tells a different story. At the same time, choosing a removalist without the right credentials can leave you with no recourse if your furniture is held hostage or damaged.

Here is the plain-spoken truth about insurance gaps and why the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) accreditation is the most important badge to look for when comparing quotes.

1. The Reality of Home & Contents "Transit Cover"

Many major Australian insurers (like NRMA, AAMI, and Allianz) include a clause for "Contents in Transit" in their policies. However, before you relax, you need to understand what this actually covers.

"Defined Events" vs. Accidental Damage

Most standard policies only cover "Defined Events". This means they will pay out only if:

  • The moving truck is involved in a collision or overturns.
  • The truck catches fire or explodes.
  • The truck is stolen with your goods inside.

What is usually MISSING:

If a removalist trips on the stairs and drops your $3,000 television, or if a table leg snaps because it wasn't strapped down correctly, a "Defined Events" policy will pay you nothing.

Unless you have specifically added "Accidental Damage" to your policy (which often costs extra and may still have exclusions for professional removalists), you are exposed to the most common risks of moving.

The "Packed by Owner" Exclusion

Even if you have top-tier insurance, the "Packed by Owner" (PBO) rule applies. If you pack your own boxes, insurers cannot verify the condition of items before the move. Consequently, they will almost never cover breakage inside a box you packed unless the box itself shows significant external crushing or water damage.

2. The "Both Addresses" Coverage Myth

You might read that your insurer covers your goods at "both addresses" for 14 days (or similar) during a move.

Clarification: This ensures that if your old house burns down while you are sleeping in your new house, you are covered. It protects the goods while they are sitting inside the buildings. It does not necessarily protect the goods while they are being carried out the door, loaded onto a truck, or bouncing down the M1 motorway.

3. Why AFRA Accreditation Matters: Your Safety Net

When comparing removalist quotes, you may see some display the AFRA logo. This isn't just a marketing sticker; it is the only regulatory safety net in the Australian moving industry.

The moving industry is unregulated—anyone can buy a truck and call themselves a mover. AFRA members, however, are vetted professionals. Here is why that matters for your wallet and your sanity.

A. The Dispute Resolution Tribunal

If you hire a non-accredited "Man with a Van" and they damage your wall or refuse to unload your furniture until you pay extra (a common scam), you have very few options. You can try to sue them, but if they stop answering the phone, you are stuck.

AFRA members are bound by a Code of Conduct. If you have a complaint that the removalist won't resolve, you can lodge a claim with the AFRA Disputes Tribunal. This is an independent body that reviews the evidence and makes a binding decision.

  • The Benefit: You have a formal, free avenue to fight for your rights without needing a lawyer.

B. Equipment and Training Standards

Accidents happen, but they happen less with trained staff. AFRA members must pass rigorous audits to prove:

  • Vehicles: Their trucks are regularly serviced and fit for purpose (e.g., proper suspension to protect freight).
  • Training: Their staff are trained in manual handling, packing techniques, and customer service.
  • Equipment: They use professional-grade blankets, trolleys, and straps—not dirty rags and bungee cords.

C. Verified Insurance

By law, only a licensed financial services provider or their authorised representative can sell you insurance.

  • Non-Accredited Movers: Often claim "we have insurance" but cannot legally sell you a policy. If they damage your goods, you are relying on their goodwill to pay for it.
  • AFRA Members: Are authorised to sell you proper Comprehensive Transit Insurance. This puts the policy in your name, giving you direct control over the claim.

4. How to Protect Yourself: A Checklist

Don't leave your move to chance. Follow these steps to ensure you are covered.

  1. Call Your Insurer: Ask specifically: "Does my policy cover accidental damage to my goods while they are being handled by removalists, or is it just for fire and collision?"
  2. Compare Quotes Carefully: Look for the AFRA logo when reviewing quotes. If a quote is $200 cheaper but comes from a non-accredited mover with no insurance options, calculate the risk. Is saving $200 worth risking a $5,000 sofa?
  3. Ask for "Certificate of Currency": Whether you use your home insurance or the removalist's cover, ask to see the written policy before moving day.
  4. Consider a Standalone Policy: If your home insurer says "no" and your removalist is too expensive, you can purchase standalone Moving Insurance from third-party providers.