Gosford Removals and Storage

• Paper, Tape and Cartons
• Prepacking
• Storage
• Backloading
• Insurance
• Pets and Cars
• Cleaning
• Valet Unpacking

Insurance

Why insure?

"Insurance is a very important product in anyone's life plan. The trouble with insurance is that you can never buy it when you need it. So you have to anticipate your need to buy it hoping you'll never need it. Insurance is simply peace of mind".
Robert Kiyosaki
Rich Dad's Guide to Investing

To insure or not to insure?

The benefits of home and car insurance are obvious, yet many people question whether they need removal insurance. They assume they are employing professionals and so the risk is minimal. Yet there are a number of factors that even the most careful removalist cannot forsee.

When a removalist has taken all care, wraps and loads and carries the goods carefully and professionally, and something does not arrive as it left- then that is where insurance makes all the difference.

Aren't I already insured with my Home Contents policy?

Usually your home contents insurance policy does not cover your contents whilst being moved. Although some policies may give you a limited cover, usually they do not fully cover your goods. One of the key areas they may not cover you is 'accidental breakage' or damage. This is when the removalist has taken all care to wrap and transport the goods, and there has been no negligence but the goods are broken or damaged.

Be sure to ask your home contents insurer if your policy covers 'accidental breakage' in the policy. Insurance is meant to give you security and peace of mind for those unforseen occurrences. If you want that extra peace of mind, make sure you are covered for what you need.

"It is better to be safe than sorry. Insurance is an important part of any move involving your worldly possessions. Some factors will always remain beyond the control of even the most dedicated and careful removalists".

The Australian Women's Weekly, in an article entitled "Moving House"

What does Full Cover Transit Insurance offer me?

Full Cover Transit Insurance is available to cover events that are not predicted or expected. It covers loss or damage that is not due to negligence on the part of the carrier.

When no insurance is taken and there is a loss or damage, then it is up to the owner to prove negligence. Eg if there is a cracked or broken picture, the client has to prove that it was improperly handled or wrapped. If this can't be proven, then no claim can be made against the company.

However, with Full Cover Transit Insurance there is no need to prove negligence. Subject to the policy wording, the claim will be processed without need to prove negligence. This makes the process much less stressful on all parties particularly when the removalist has taken all care and there is no one found to be 'at fault'.

Full Cover Transit Insurance offered by Karis and Gosford Removals covers for

• Loss of damage to goods following a collision

• Loss or damage to goods caused by overturning of the vehicle

• Loss or damage to goods caused by fire and explosion

• Loss of damage to goods caused by lightning or flood

• Accidental damage to goods if vehicle not involved in a collision or overturning if there is no proof of negligence but something is missing or damaged

• Loss or damage to goods during loading or unloading

• All accidental breakage and loss

What about damage by a Third Party?

Another major advantage of Full Cover Transit Insurance is protection against loss or damage caused by another party who is not insured. This could be the case if the removal vehicle was involved in an accident with another vehicle which was not insured or the driver was not licensed.

The news is replete with such cases - without Full Cover Transit Insurance, there is no cover for the goods as the person 'at fault'. With Full Cover Transit Insurance, you are covered.

Inherent Vice or nature

Many items are not made to be carried distances in vehicles, no matter how careful the removalists are. A trip in a vehicle will be one of the greatest tests for inherent weaknesses in goods. There is a specific exclusion in the policy covering 'inherent vice or nature of the subject matter' Although 'inherent vice or nature' cannot be detected prior to a removal - it is very obvious if this is the case.

What does Restricted Cover Transit Insurance offer me?

Restricted Cover covers your goods whilst on the truck in transit

Therefore it covers such things as:

• Damage or loss following a collision.

• Overturning of the truck.

• Loss of damage due to fire or explosion, lightning or flood.

• Entry of water into the container while goods in transit.

Although Restricted Cover is not as extensive as Full Cover Insurance - it does give some measure of assurance in case all does not go as anticipated.

INSURANCE TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our Product Disclosure Statement, Financial Services Guide and Insurance Policy can be accessed by clicking the links below.

• Product Disclosure Statement

• Financial Services Guide

• Insurance Policy Wording

• Insurance Declaration

The Insurance Declaration Form will allow you to specify the individual items and their values and then do a final total for your insurance.

How much will insurance cost?

Insurance Rates as at August 2008

*Depending on distance from Central Coast NSW.

Note: these rates are approximations only. Once we have a destination we will give you an accurate quote on insurance charges.

Using the Insurance Prices above - here is a guideline on what you may be looking at paying:

It's important to calculate the correct amount you are insuring

Make sure you are counting the full amount of the goods you wish to insure.

If there is a claim and it is obvious to an assessor that the total value of the goods removed was greater than declared, then the same proportion will be paid of the claim.

Eg if the goods to be carried in market terms were worth $50,000 but in order to save premium costs, the owner stated there was only $25,000 worth of goods being carried, then in the event of a claim - only 50% of the claim would be paid.

It is very important to give an accurate assessment of the value of the goods ( see the Insurance Declaration Form) . This is particularly important if there was an accident and the vehicle was written off - only the value declared would be paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

To assist you, we have prepared some frequently asked questions and answers. This is general advice and we recommend you read the information to enable you to make an informed decision. Please ask our accredited estimator to clarify any questions you may have.

Why doesn't the removalist have insurance to cover my goods? Won't their insurance cover my move?

There are many circumstances for which a removalist is not liable to make good any loss or damage to your goods. This is particularly the case when all care is taken but damage occurs regardless of the best packing and handling.
There are also many things outside the removalists' control for which they are not liable - such as an accident caused by an uninsured 3rd party, damage due to unforseen circumstances etc.

I was told that I could get 'free insurance' with another removalist. Why don't you also offer that?

If you are offered 'free' insurance by a removal company, you owe it to yourself to ensure:

• The company is registered with ASIC as a licensee or as an authorised representative

• The person discussing insurance must have a valid authorisation stating he or she is a licensee or authorised representative.

• The policy identifies you, the customer, as the insured party

• You receive a certificate of insurance validating your insurance with your name AND the name of the insurance company on it along with their contact details

Is taking Insurance a good idea then?

This is up to you, but we strongly suggest that you consider it as your goods will be exposed to a higher risk of loss/damage than when they are inside the home.

If the removalist has taken all care and something does not arrive as it left the previous address, then unless you can prove negligence, you have no claim.

Also if the vehicle is involved in an accident and the other party is not insured and the accident is their fault - then you again have no claim.

Will my Home & Contents Insurance Policy cover the removal insurance?

Contact your insurer to find out if this is the case. Many people think their home contents insurance covers transit of their goods when they move house. If it is, it is also important to find out exactly what is covered. We offer a full range of cover from Restricted to Full Cover if you are not satisfied with the level of cover offered by your home contents policy.

Does my Home and Contents Insurance cover my goods while in store?

Contact your insurance company and find out exactly what your cover is for.

Make sure they are aware that your goods will be stored in a bulk storage facility with no access to the public. This may affect the level of cover offered.

We can offer either Restricted or Full cover of your goods while in store. To take advantage of Full cover, the goods also need to be insured for Full Cover transit insurance when coming into store and going out of store. We can arrange a competitive quote for you. Just contact our office for details.

Do I need to insure everything?

That is up to you. If you do decide to insure only specific items, anything that is not on the list will not be covered.

Some people decide to insure but don't want to pay the full premium so make the amount less than the goods are worth. In the event of a claim being made, and if it is evident that they are under-insured, then the claim will also be pro-rated to reflect the percentage discount made at the time of the declaration.

There is also a risk if the vehicle was involved in an accident with an uninsured or unregistered or unlicensed 3rd party. Better to be safe than sorry - considering the few times we move in a lifetime.

Which type of cover do you recommend I take out?

We cannot advise you about your personal situation. You need to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Policy Wording of the contract.. Read this carefully and choose the cover that best suits your circumstances.

Our office staff are authorized representatives of a licensed insurance broker and are therefore able to give general advice and answer any questions you may have.

How much should I value my goods for?

If you choose Replacement Cover, you need to estimate the cost of 'replacing' your goods with 'new' goods of similar type and quality. This can only occur for goods less than 7 years old.

If you have valuable items over 7 years old, you will need to specify the item/s on the Insurance Declaration Form and the value you attribute to them.

If you choose Market Value Cover, then you need to estimate the amount that you would be likely to receive for your goods if you sold them, as they are, for example, in the second hand 'for sale' column.

Simply fill in the Insurance Declaration Form and scan and email it to us or fax or post with your quotation acceptance form which will be sent to you when we quote your move.

I have 100 CD's. Do I have to itemise them individually?

No just estimate their total value. For example you may estimate their replacement value at $2,000. You would put on your Insurance Declaration - 100 CD's @ $20 = $2000. In the event of a claim, you would receive $20 per CD.

What if I have some very valuable CD's on the collection?

It may be best to attach a list of the specific CD's and their values separately.

I have to put my goods into storage - do I have to take out separate insurance for that?

Yes, we can arrange storage insurance for your goods. You can insure your goods for either Restricted or Full Cover

If you wish to take out Full Cover, this can only occur when you take out Full Cover transit insurance for removal of your goods into store. Our insurance company specifies that it must be done in conjunction with the transit insurance policy.

What experience do you have in insurance?

Our authorised broker, Aldridge and Street, are removal insurance specialists.

All of our office staff are individually authorised representatives registered with the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC).

How will I know what I am covered for?

The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) summarises what the policy covers, the various cover options available to you and what it does not cover.

I don't think your insurance is going to be sufficient for my needs so what should I do?

If you need advice or your insurance needs are different from the cover available in the policy, we can refer you to our authorised broker, Aldridge and Street who will be able to assist you. Contact them on 03 9867 7663.

I do want to take out insurance for the move but do I have to take it out with you?

No, you are under no obligation to take out transit or storage insurance with us even though you are booking your move through us. It is your choice.

Really, it's not likely there will be any damage or loss to my goods is it?

Despite all the care that we take, accidents can still happen and some things are outside our control. We will endeavour to ensure there is no loss or damage, but we cannot predict what is going to happen tomorrow just as much as you can't.

There are so many unforseen variables with a removal - and we cater and cover for as many as we can but there is always risk involved. Because of the nature of the business, we do recommend you take out insurance.

Someone told me that I would not be able to take out insurance if I pack the boxes myself - is that true?

You can take out Restricted Cover on boxes you pack yourself to a maximum of $500. This will cover you for non-delivery of the goods. In order to claim for non delivery under the Restricted Cover policy, you must have an itemised list of what was in the boxes.

The itemised list and value of the items must be provided to the removal company BEFORE the move takes place. The best way is to provide the list at the time you take out the cover, when you book your removal.

If you find it too time consuming to list each of the contents of the cartons, then in order to make a claim on non-delivery, it is mandatory to supply an itemised list where the value of the goods in the cartons exceeds $500. Ensure this information is given at the time the insurance policy is taken.

The itemised list is NOT acceptable at the time the removalist arrives to do the job.

What happens if the boxes are stolen?

Restricted cover does NOT cover for Burglary. Burglary is only covered by Full Cover Transit Insurance. REMEMBER - the RIGHT INSURANCE is simply PEACE of MIND

Will I have to pay an excess if I have a claim?

Yes, the Customer Goods in Transit and Storage Insurance does have an excess which is set out in the Product Disclosure Statement.