Moving Valuation, Chicago,
Coverage For Your Belongings.
Every MOOvers Chicago move includes basic valuation at no cost, as required by the Illinois Commerce Commission. Upgrade to Declared Value Protection on local moves, or Full Value Protection on interstate moves, and we cover the repair, replacement, or settlement value of your items if something is lost or damaged.
What Valuation Means,
And Why It's Not Insurance.
Illinois moving companies offer valuation, not traditional insurance. Valuation sets our maximum financial liability if an item is lost or damaged. You pick your option on the bill of lading before the move begins. If you want full replacement-value insurance, contact your homeowner's or renter's insurance agent, or a dedicated moving insurance provider.
Illinois-regulated
Basic valuation is required by the Illinois Commerce Commission on every local move.
Two documents, one choice
You confirm your coverage on the bill of lading. No coverage is applied without your signature.
Locked in before the move
Coverage must be selected before we start loading. It cannot be added mid-move or after.
Local Illinois Moves,
Two Options.
Every local move gives you a choice between Basic Protection at no cost, or an upgrade to Declared Value Protection, also called the Repair Program, for higher coverage.
Basic Protection
Standard, no-cost coverage included in every local move under Illinois Commerce Commission rules.
- 60 cents per pound, per item
- Included at no charge
- Applies to lost or damaged articles only
- Minimal financial protection
Declared Value Protection
Also called the Repair Program. You declare a total shipment value and pay a flat fee. We repair the item, or offer a settlement based on current depreciated value if repair is not possible.
- Repair first, settlement second
- Depreciated value settlement if repair fails
- Proof of purchase required for claims
- Fee varies by home size and coverage tier
| Home size | Coverage | Flat fee |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $10,000 | $200 |
| $15,000 | $300 | |
| 2 bedroom | $15,000 | $300 |
| $20,000 | $400 | |
| 3 bedroom | $20,000 | $400 |
| $25,000 | $500 | |
| $30,000 | $600 | |
| 4 bedroom | $30,000 | $600 |
| $35,000 | $700 | |
| $40,000 | $800 | |
| 5 bedroom | $40,000 (small) | $800 |
| $45,000 (regular) | $900 | |
| $50,000 (large) | $1,000 | |
| 6 bedroom | $50,000 | $1,000 |
Interstate Moves,
Full Value Protection.
For moves crossing state lines, choose Full Value Protection (FVP). If any item is lost, damaged, or destroyed while in our care, we repair it, replace it, or pay a cash settlement for the current market replacement value. FVP is offered with three deductible options so you can balance coverage and cost.
| Lump sum declared | $0 deductible ($7 / $100) | $250 deductible ($5 / $100) | $500 deductible ($4 / $100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $6,000 | $420 | $300 | $240 |
| $6,001 to $10,000 | $700 | $500 | $400 |
| $10,001 to $15,000 | $1,050 | $750 | $600 |
| $15,001 to $20,000 | $1,400 | $1,000 | $800 |
| $20,001 to $25,000 | $1,750 | $1,250 | $1,000 |
| $25,001 to $30,000 | $2,100 | $1,500 | $1,200 |
| $30,001 to $35,000 | $2,450 | $1,750 | $1,400 |
| $35,001 to $40,000 | $2,800 | $2,000 | $1,600 |
| $40,001 to $50,000 | $3,500 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| $50,001 to $60,000 | $4,200 | $3,000 | $2,400 |
| $60,001 to $75,000 | $5,250 | $3,750 | $3,000 |
| $75,001 to $100,000 | $7,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| $100,001 to $125,000 | $8,750 | $6,250 | $5,000 |
| $125,001 to $150,000 | $10,500 | $7,500 | $6,000 |
| $150,001 to $175,000 | $12,250 | $8,750 | $7,000 |
| $175,001 to $200,000 | $14,000 | $10,000 | $8,000 |
| $200,001 to $225,000 | $15,750 | $11,250 | $9,000 |
| $225,001 to $250,000 | $17,500 | $12,500 | $10,000 |
| Over $250,000 | Add $7 per additional $100 | Add $5 per additional $100 | Add $4 per additional $100 |
What's Not Covered.
Valuation applies to items lost or damaged in our care during transit. A few categories fall outside valuation regardless of the option you choose.
Property & item exclusions
- Minor cosmetic damage, nicks, scuffs, or scratches on walls or floors.
- Major property damage, liability capped at $100 per residence.
- Customer-packed boxes, covered only if the exterior shows clear handling damage.
- Engineered wood, particle board and pressboard furniture are not covered.
- Plants, live or artificial.
- Items that don't fit, if we cannot move it safely, we won't attempt it.
Personal & high-value items
- Carry these yourself, jewelry, cash, laptops, phones, medication.
- High-value items, anything worth over $5,000 (or over $100 per pound) must be declared in writing before the move.
- Extra insurance recommended for single high-value items.
- Wall-mounted items, we cannot remove or attach TVs, artwork, shelving, or mounted appliances.
- Full replacement coverage, speak to your home insurance agent, or use a third-party moving insurance provider.
Book Your Move,
Choose Your Coverage.
Tell us your move date, home size, and destination. We confirm pricing and walk you through your valuation options before you sign anything.
FAQ, Moving Valuation.
Straight answers on valuation, coverage tiers, and how claims work with MOOvers Chicago.
Is valuation the same as insurance?
No. Valuation is a mover's maximum financial liability, regulated by the Illinois Commerce Commission for local moves and by federal rules for interstate moves. Traditional insurance is a separate product you can buy from your home insurance agent or a dedicated moving insurance provider.
What does Basic Protection cover?
Basic Protection is free and caps our liability at 60 cents per pound per item. A 30 lb chair caps at $18. It is the minimum required by Illinois law.
What is Declared Value Protection?
Also called the Repair Program, Declared Value Protection lets you declare a total shipment value for a flat fee. We repair damaged items first, or offer a depreciated-value settlement if repair is not possible. Proof of purchase is required for claims.
Which option do I pick for an interstate move?
Full Value Protection (FVP) is the recommended interstate coverage. Under FVP we repair, replace, or provide a cash settlement at current market value. Released Value Protection is the free alternative but caps liability at roughly 60 cents per pound per item.
How do I choose the right FVP deductible?
$0, $250, and $500 deductible tiers are offered. Higher deductibles lower your upfront cost. Use the shipment-weight rule of thumb (weight × $6) to estimate value, then pick the deductible that fits your budget.
When do I lock in my coverage?
Before we start loading. Your foreman will review the bill of lading with you on move day. Coverage cannot be added after the crew begins working.
What about items I packed myself?
For customer-packed boxes, we cover exterior damage from handling. If the outside of the box is intact but items inside are broken, valuation does not apply.
What about jewelry, cash, and electronics?
Please transport valuables yourself. Jewelry, cash, laptops, phones, and medication are not covered under any valuation option.
What if I have a single item worth more than $5,000?
Declare it in writing before the move. Any item worth over $5,000, or over $100 per pound, must be listed in advance. We strongly recommend a third-party insurance rider for high-value items.
How do I file a claim?
Call (773) 474-2691 or email info@mooverschicago.com within the claim window on your bill of lading. Provide photos of the damage and proof of purchase for Declared Value or FVP claims.
Ready For Your Move?
We walk you through Basic, Declared Value, and Full Value Protection before you sign. No pressure, no fine print, and every option is written on your bill of lading.