What the included 60-cents-per-pound coverage actually pays, what full value protection changes, and how the claims process works — the money question every mover should explain and few do.
By the Discount Movers Team · Updated July 2026 · Licensed California household mover · CAL-T #201759 · US DOT #4372335
The Honest Version
Movers don’t technically sell “insurance” — they offer valuation: the level of liability the company accepts for your goods. Every legitimate move includes a basic level at no charge, and the gap between that basic level and your stuff’s actual value is the single most misunderstood money question in moving. Here it is with real numbers.
The Arithmetic
The included coverage — released value — pays by weight, not worth: commonly 60 cents per pound per article.
| Item | Approx. weight | Replacement cost | Released-value payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65″ OLED television | 50 lb | $1,800 | $30 |
| Queen mattress | 90 lb | $1,200 | $54 |
| Laptop | 4 lb | $1,500 | $2.40 |
| Solid-wood dresser | 150 lb | $900 | $90 |
| Upright piano | 500 lb | $5,000 | $300 |
None of that is a trick — it’s the standard baseline across the industry, and it’s why the law makes movers disclose it. The mistake isn’t taking released value; it’s taking it without doing this table for your own belongings first.
Your Real Options
The mover repairs, replaces with like kind, or pays current replacement value, up to your declared amount (with any deductible you choose). Costs more; means something. For households with normal-to-high value contents, this is usually the rational choice.
Independent policies covering your goods in transit — worth pricing for high-value households, and sometimes already partially provided by homeowner’s or renter’s policies. Ask your agent the specific question: “are my goods covered in a professional move?”
Art, instruments, and heirlooms deserve packing that prevents claims instead of funding them — that’s our custom crating service. And pianos ride with our piano crew, boards and straps included.
If Something Breaks
Our claims contact is simply our office: (858) 490-0155 or sales@discountmovers.com. More on the legal framework: California moving laws & your rights.
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