Insurance for an overseas move is very different from your typical domestic home-owners or renters policy.
Invest in package policies specifically designed to cover the unique aspects of international assignments. Consider the following areas of coverage:
- Coverage for items left in commercial storage
- Transportation coverage on items shipped by sea, air and truck, etc.
- Coverage at your residence abroad for fire, theft, acts of nature, etc.
- Protection for effects while travelling temporarily within the United States or other countries
- It is advisable to seek “All-Risks” coverage, which provides broader protection, as well as “Replacement Cost” coverage, assuring a non-depreciated claims settlement
Below are a few quick tips for expats who are planning on moving abroad on how to ensure that their personal property is also protected along the way.
Choose Wisely – International insurance should be purchased from a reliable and regulated insurance company. When policies are purchased from local providers, they vary greatly in coverage and accountability.
Keep a Safe Distance – There is a distinct advantage to having an insurance provider that is located outside of your host country. In the event of a natural disaster, political violence or other catastrophic event, your policy and the people administering it are at a safe distance.
Know Your Limits – Many policies offered abroad provide very limited coverage. It is important to understand the exact protection you receive under your policy and where the policy provides coverage.
Stay on Schedule – Most personal property policies give you the option of listing scheduled and unscheduled items. Most items you own will be considered unscheduled, such as clothing or household items. High-value items, such as jewelry and artwork, are considered scheduled items. Scheduling your coverage helps ensure that you receive the full, appraised amount for the item in the event of a loss.
Know Your Worth – Your personal property coverage allows you to assign value to your belongings in the event that they are lost or damaged. Carefully consider the value of your items when listing them in your policy. It’s also critical to periodically update your scheduled and unscheduled coverage as you make significant purchases to ensure you’re fully protected and receive the full value of your items should the unexpected occur.
Mind the Gap – Gaps in coveragecan occur when separate transit and destination policies are purchased and can be eliminated by packaged policies.
Making the Journey – Transit insurance is an important part of any international move. Your property has a greater risk of becoming lost or broken while it’s transported from one location to another. It is advisable to find a personal property policy that includes transit insurance, to avoid any gaps in coverage. If a claim occurs during the moving process, it is difficult to prove when the loss took place – during shipping, while in storage, in customs, or while the boxes were in transit to your residence.
Save the Date – It’s important to be mindful of the coverage effective date. If you’re cancelling your current home-owner or property coverage, the effective date of the new international policy should be the same as the cancellation date to help prevent a gap in coverage.
