Understanding Your Valuation Plans
This guide explains your coverage options clearly so you can make the right choice for your move.
Valuation coverage is a protection plan offered by your moving company — it is not an insurance policy in the traditional sense. Rather than requiring you to prove negligence, it defines the moving company’s maximum financial responsibility for your belongings during the move.
At Paradise Moving & Storage, we offer three valuation options. Every customer receives Option A (Basic Valuation) at no charge. You may upgrade to Option B or Option C before your move begins for more comprehensive protection.
These are two very different things. Valuation coverage is purchased from your moving company and only covers damage or loss caused by the mover. Third-party insurance is purchased separately from an insurer (such as State Farm, Baker International, or MovingInsurance.com) and may also cover events like theft or natural disasters.
The cost and coverage limits also differ. Valuation coverage is based on your declared shipment value. Insurance pricing and terms vary by provider and policy. If you own high-value items or want broader protection, we recommend speaking with a third-party insurer in addition to selecting one of our valuation plans.
Traditional insurance is regulated differently, covers a broader range of risks, and is underwritten by a licensed insurance company. Valuation coverage is a specific contractual commitment that defines our liability for your goods while they are in our care.
How to Declare the Right Value
Your declared value should reflect the total replacement cost of everything being moved. It is your responsibility to set this number accurately before the move begins — it cannot be changed once loading starts.
To determine your declared value, go room by room and estimate the replacement cost of each item. Common high-value items to include: electronics, furniture, appliances, jewelry, artwork, antiques, mirrors, and musical instruments.
Our valuation coverage is capped at $20,000. If the total replacement value of your shipment exceeds this limit, you have two options:
- Contact us before your move — coverage above $20,000 may be considered on a case-by-case basis and is subject to review and approval.
- Purchase additional insurance through a third-party provider — we recommend providers such as Baker International, MovingInsurance.com, or your existing homeowner’s/renter’s insurance carrier to cover the value above our limit.
Please do not wait until moving day to raise this — it must be arranged in advance
A deductible is the amount you pay first before our coverage kicks in. Under Option B, the deductible is $500 and applies to your entire shipment — not per individual item.
Choosing Option B (with deductible) lowers your upfront premium. Choosing Option C (no deductible) gives you full reimbursement on any claim but costs slightly more.
Example: For $10,000 declared value — Option B costs $400 (you pay the first $500 of any claim); Option C costs $500 (no out-of-pocket on claims). The $100 difference in premium eliminates the $500 deductible.
Under Options B and C, we will first attempt to repair any damaged item to your satisfaction. If repair is not possible, we will:
- Replace the item with one of like, kind, and quality, OR
- Reimburse you for the fair market replacement cost of the item.
Note that replacement is based on the item’s current fair market value, not the original purchase price. For example, if your two-year-old washing machine is damaged, you will receive compensation based on the value of a comparable two-year-old appliance — not a brand new one.
If any of your belongings are damaged or lost during your move, contact Paradise Moving & Storage as soon as possible after delivery:
Call us: (617) 602-8112
Email: info@paradisemove.com
Online: paradisemove.com/contacts
Please document any damage with photos and note any issues on the Bill of Lading at delivery — this will help expedite your claim.
If you chose third-party insurance, you will need to file your claim directly with that insurer.
What Is NOT Covered (Exclusions)
The following are excluded from all valuation plans:
- Furniture made of particle board or pressboard
- Lamps, lampshades, pictures, mirrors, artwork, glass, marble, vases, or statues not packed by Paradise Moving & Storage
- Items found broken in boxes not packed by Paradise Moving & Storage
- Mechanical failure of electronics, audio/visual, computer, or battery-operated equipment in transit or storage
- Previously damaged or repaired items
- Previously damaged or loose veneer
- Furniture with dried-out original glue
- Any loose items not boxed
- Plants (live, artificial, or dried)
- Sets — if one item in a set is damaged, only that item is covered, not the entire set
- Natural disasters — including fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, windstorm, and hail. These events are beyond our control and are not covered under any valuation plan. Third-party insurance may cover these risks.
- Items not declared on the inventory form — any item not listed prior to the move cannot be claimed. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure all belongings are documented before loading begins.
- Items in storage not controlled by Paradise Moving & Storage — if your belongings are held at a third-party storage facility at any point during the move, we are not liable for loss or damage that occurs there.
- Jewelry, cash, documents, and irreplaceable items — we strongly recommend keeping these with you personally rather than placing them in the moving truck. We do not accept liability for these items.
- Items intentionally left behind by the customer — if you ask our crew to skip an item and it is later reported missing or damaged, that falls outside our coverage. If you’re unsure whether an item qualifies, speak with your moving coordinator before moving day.
