For a , many people have moved during the pandemic.One in five U.S.adults either changed residence due to the pandemic or know someone who did, according to a Pew Research survey.

There are many to consider if you are moving, and it’s also important to understand how insurance protects your possessions before, during, and after a move.Loretta Worters, Vice President Media Relations, Triple-I, has put together this comprehensive explanation of how insurance covers you when you move.What’s Covered/What’s Not  and renters policies provide coverage for belongings while they are at a residence, in transit, and in storage facilities — but they will  pay for any damage done to personal property while being handled by movers when packing or moving the items.  Types of Coverage to Consider When Moving: Trip transit insurance covers personal property for perils including theft, disappearance, or fire (the same perils covered by homeowners or renters policy) while in transit or storage.

Trip transit insurance can be written for the full value of the property or as excess coverage over and above that provided by the moving company.It does not, however, cover breakage or flooding at, say, a storage facility.Special perils contents coverage will cover breakage of all but fragile items.A floater will fully protect high-value items, such as jewelry, collectibles, fine art, etc. Storage insurance is also important should someone need to temporarily or permanently store items before or after a move.Coverages Available Through Moving Companies The type of liability coverage a moving company offers for damage or breakage is not technically insurance and therefore is not governed by state insurance laws.Under federal law, however, all interstate movers must offer two different liability options—full-value protection and released-value protection.

Most movers offer both options for intrastate moves, as well.  It’s important to understand the various types and levels of protection available and the charges for each option.Check Professional Mover’s Agreement Homeowners should review the mover’s contract and ability to: Moving YourselfIf you choose to move yourself, you won’t have the benefits of a moving company’s coverage if belongings are damaged or broken.To be protected: New Home, New Insurance If moving to a new state, or even from a city to a suburban area, a new home insurance policy will be needed.  That’s because a new home is a different property with different risks, which means different coverages may be required.

The cost of the policy also may vary.For example, a larger home in a coastal area will likely be more expensive than a small apartment in an inland city.  When , consider insurance costs.  Rates are based on many factors, including square footage, geographical area (is the home in a flood, earthquake or hurricane-prone area of the country?); the age and construction of a home (is it brick or wood shingle?); roof condition; proximity to a fire station; and credit history.  Notify the insurer about a new address and make sure to inquire about possible savings on home and auto premiums for features like a shorter commute, a gated community, or lower-crime area than previously, alarms, or other security systems.  The same holds true for car insurance.That’s because a new state may have different requirements or factors that result in a different policy cost.

Even if moving within the same state, insurance carriers should be notified to ensure policies are up to date.In-State vs.Out-of-State An out-of-state move can have big implications, because not all insurance agents or companies are licensed to write policies in every state.

Insurance requirements may also vary across state lines Call your agent to see if the current company can write policies in the state they are moving to.If not, consider it an opportunity .When to Make the Switch In most cases, the new owner will need to have proof of insurance at closing when buying the new home.

An insurance agent should be notified well in advance of closing and providing a timeline for the move so coverage is in place at the appropriate time.  Depending on the insurer, coverage on the former home will generally remain in effect until the sale of the property is complete, as long as premiums are paid, which should be confirmed with the insurance agent.Vacant Homes If the homeowner relocates before the existing home is sold and it remains vacant or unoccupied, there may not be coverage under the existing homeowners policy.Insurers typically discontinue coverage on a home if it has been unoccupied for more than 30 days, so prospective homeowners should explore other options with their insurer.