Insurance at a Glance
Why Consider Insurance for Your Move?
Moving involves more than the drive between two properties. Furniture may need to be carried through narrow access points, household goods are loaded and unloaded, cartons may travel long distances and international moves can involve several transport and handling stages before final delivery.
Professional movers plan for those risks, but insurance provides an additional layer of financial protection where eligible loss or damage occurs under the terms of the applicable policy.
The appropriate insurance arrangement depends on the circumstances of your move and the belongings involved. A local Sydney move may have different considerations from an international shipment or household contents placed into long-term storage.
That is why NUSS recommends reviewing the current PDS rather than assuming all removalist insurance provides the same cover. Insurance is a personal decision. NUSS can provide the relevant documents and arrange eligible cover, but you should understand the policy before deciding whether it suits your circumstances.
Cover for Local, Interstate, International & Storage Requirements
NUSS can arrange optional insurance in connection with different moving and storage services. The precise cover, limits, exclusions and eligibility requirements are determined by the current policy.
Local Removals Insurance
Optional insurance can be discussed for eligible household belongings being moved locally within Sydney. Even on a relatively short move, belongings still need to be packed or protected, carried, loaded, transported and delivered into the new home.
Your NUSS consultant can provide the current insurance documents so you can understand the available cover before moving day.
Interstate Removals Insurance
Interstate moves can involve longer transport distances and, depending on the service selected, different transport arrangements. NUSS can arrange optional transit insurance for eligible belongings travelling between Sydney and interstate destinations.
Review the applicable policy alongside your packing and transport arrangements before deciding whether cover is appropriate.
International Removals Insurance
International household moves involve several stages. Depending on the destination, your belongings may pass through professional packing, container loading, international freight, customs clearance, destination handling and final delivery.
NUSS can arrange insurance for eligible international household-goods shipments, subject to the applicable policy terms, packing conditions and declared values.
Storage Insurance
Insurance can also be arranged for eligible belongings placed into storage. Storage insurance is optional and is not automatically included simply because your belongings are being stored by NUSS.
Discuss storage insurance when your removal or storage quotation is prepared so you can review the relevant conditions before the storage period begins.
Professional Packing vs Owner-Packed Goods
How your household goods are packed can affect the insurance conditions that apply.
This is particularly important to understand before deciding whether to pack belongings yourself.
Professionally Packed by NUSS
For eligible insured shipments where the entire shipment is professionally packed by NUSS, comprehensive replacement-value insurance is generally available, subject to the current policy terms.
Professional packing also means the moving team can prepare belongings using materials and packing methods suited to the item and the type of move.
For an international move, this may be particularly important because belongings can spend significantly longer in transit and may pass through several stages before reaching the destination.
Owner-Packed Cartons
You can choose to pack your own cartons.
However, different insurance restrictions can apply to owner-packed belongings.
An insurer may treat an item packed by the owner differently because the removal company was not able to inspect the contents or control how those belongings were prepared for transport.
If you are considering packing some or all of your household goods yourself, tell your NUSS consultant before arranging insurance.
Do not assume that an owner-packed carton receives the same insurance treatment as belongings professionally packed by NUSS.
Tell Us About High-Value Belongings Before the Move
Some household belongings require additional attention when insurance is being arranged. Tell your consultant about valuable belongings before arranging insurance, and follow the declaration and valuation requirements in the current policy documents. Depending on your household, this could include:
- Artwork
- Antiques
- Jewellery
- Collectables
- Designer furniture
- Musical instruments
- Specialist equipment
- Other individually valuable belongings
High-value belongings should be identified during the survey or quotation stage rather than first being mentioned on moving day. Your NUSS consultant can explain what information needs to be provided and whether any additional valuation or documentation requirements apply under the current policy.
Important: Declaring an item does not automatically guarantee that a particular loss or event will be covered. All insurance remains subject to the applicable policy terms, conditions and exclusions.
A Simple Process Before Moving Day
What Does Replacement-Value Insurance Mean?
Comprehensive replacement-value insurance is generally available for eligible insured shipments where the entire shipment has been professionally packed by NUSS. Replacement-value insurance relates to how insured belongings may be valued if an eligible claim occurs, rather than simply relying on what an older item could be sold for second-hand.
However, the exact definition of replacement value and how an insurer calculates a settlement depend on the current policy. The PDS should be relied upon for information about:
- How belongings should be valued
- How replacement is assessed
- Repair versus replacement
- Limits and exclusions
- High-value items
- Owner-packed belongings
- Any underinsurance provisions
- How claims are settled
Do not assume that “replacement value” means every item will automatically be replaced with a new equivalent in every circumstance. The applicable PDS and policy wording determine how the cover actually operates.
Making an Insurance Claim
If something is lost or damaged and you believe it may fall within the insurance arranged for your move, notify NUSS as soon as practical. Your NUSS contact can direct you to the applicable claims process and advise what documentation needs to be supplied. Depending on the circumstances and current policy, you may be asked to provide information such as:
- Details of the affected item
- Description of the loss or damage
- Photographs
- Proof of ownership
- Evidence of value
- Repair quotations
- Other supporting information requested by the insurer or claims handler
Keep damaged belongings unless you are instructed otherwise, and avoid undertaking significant repairs before checking the applicable claims requirements unless immediate action is reasonably necessary to prevent further damage. Notification periods and other claims conditions may apply, so always refer to the current PDS and policy documentation supplied for your move.
Removals Insurance FAQ
Is insurance included in the cost of my NUSS move?
No. Transit and storage insurance are optional and are not automatically included with your NUSS removal or storage service.
Your consultant can provide the current insurance information if you would like to consider cover before your move.
Do I have to arrange insurance through NUSS?
No. You can ask NUSS to arrange eligible insurance, organise your own insurance elsewhere or choose to proceed without additional transit or storage insurance.
If you arrange your own cover, check directly with your insurer that the policy applies to all relevant stages of your move.
Does my home and contents insurance cover moving?
Possibly, but you should not assume that it does. Home and contents insurance policies vary considerably. Some may offer limited cover while belongings are being moved or temporarily stored, while others may exclude those circumstances or impose specific conditions.
Contact your own insurer before moving day and ask exactly what your existing policy covers.
Can I pack my own boxes and still arrange insurance?
Owner-packed goods are permitted, but different insurance restrictions can apply. If you plan to pack your own cartons, tell your NUSS consultant and read the relevant PDS conditions before choosing cover.
Is replacement-value insurance available?
Generally, yes, for eligible insured shipments where the entire shipment has been professionally packed by NUSS. The exact definition, eligibility requirements, limits and exclusions should be checked in the current PDS.
Do valuable belongings need to be declared separately?
Yes. Valuable belongings may require separate declaration. Tell your consultant about them before arranging insurance and follow the requirements in the current policy documents.
Can artwork and antiques be insured?
Potentially, subject to the current policy requirements. Tell your consultant about artwork and antiques before arranging insurance and check the applicable declaration and valuation requirements.
Check the PDS and discuss high-value items with your consultant before moving day.
Can I insure belongings while they are in storage?
Optional storage insurance can be arranged for eligible belongings. It is not automatically included with NUSS storage, and the applicable cover remains subject to the current policy conditions.
Does international moving insurance cover the entire journey?
The cover applying to an international shipment depends on the policy terms and the insurance arrangement selected.
International relocations can involve several stages, so review the PDS carefully to understand when cover starts, when it ends and any relevant exclusions or conditions.
When should I organise removals insurance?
Consider insurance while your move is being planned and arrange any selected cover before your belongings are collected or placed into storage. This also gives you time to declare high-value items and understand any packing requirements.
What happens if the details of my move change?
Tell NUSS if there is a material change to your belongings, packing arrangements, storage requirements, destination or other details relevant to the insurance.
A change in circumstances may require the insurance arrangement or declaration to be updated.
Where can I read the complete insurance terms?
The current Product Disclosure Statement contains the detailed insurance information.
NUSS's PDS page also provides access to the Financial Services Guide and other relevant insurance documentation.
Product Disclosure Statement & Insurance Documents
The information on this page is designed to explain NUSS removals insurance in plain language.
It is not a replacement for the formal insurance documents.
Before choosing cover, review the current documents provided for your move:
Product Disclosure Statement
Explains the insurance product, including important cover, conditions, exclusions and claims information.
Financial Services Guide
Explains important information about the financial services associated with arranging insurance.
Insurance Declaration & Acceptance Form
Used where you choose to arrange insurance in connection with your NUSS move.
Conditions of Removals & Storage
Explains the contractual terms applying to your NUSS removal and storage services.
Insurance products and policy wording can change. Always read the current documents supplied for your move rather than relying on paperwork from a previous relocation.
Understand Your Options Before Moving Day
Every move is different. The belongings being moved, the destination, whether storage is required and how your household goods are packed can all affect the insurance arrangement.
Your NUSS consultant can provide the current insurance documentation and explain the process for arranging optional cover alongside your removal or storage service.
Read the PDS before making your decision and ensure any cover you select has been confirmed before the relevant transit or storage period begins.