Worried about damages (possibly costly ones) to your valuables during your move? We’ll guide you through how to protect your most prized belongings, whether you’re planning a DIY move or hiring professional movers.
How to Handle High Value Items When Moving
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Reviewed ByAlina BradfordAsha, a former Move Coordinator with nearly 5 years of experience, offers expert insights on moving. She holds an English degree from Hampton University.
Deciding on items of extraordinary value
So what exactly does “high value” mean? Most moving companies define it as anything worth $100 per pound or more. Others use the term for items valued over $1,000 total. Either way, always double-check with your specific moving company before signing anything. Not all companies will transport high-value items, and you don’t want surprises on moving day.
High-value belongings can include (but aren’t limited to): high-end exercise equipment, crystal, china, artwork, sterling silver and other precious metals, figurines or statues, gemstones, oriental rugs, furs, rare collectibles, and formalwear.
Hiring professional movers for high value items
Professional movers are equipped to protect and transport your belongings, including the expensive ones. But what does that actually look like?
They use a high-value inventory form.
At the start of your move, you’ll be given a high-value inventory form where you’ll list any items that need extra attention. This helps document their condition and keeps them tracked separately from the rest of your shipment.
They bring the right materials.
Movers come prepared with high-quality packing supplies like double-walled boxes for fragile items and custom wooden crates for things like artwork or antiques.
They know how to pack properly.
Moving crews are trained to handle and pack high-value items correctly. In many cases, the crew lead or driver will even double-check anything you packed yourself to make sure it’s secure.
Avoiding damage to high value items during professional moves
The easiest way to protect your high-value items during a move is to stay a little involved on moving day. Make sure you:
- Point out all high-value items to your moving crew
- Fill out the high-value inventory form and ensure both you and your mover sign it
- Double-check that boxes are clearly and correctly labeled
Skipping these steps can lead to issues at delivery. Even worse, it could limit what your moving company is responsible for if something is damaged. Without a signed high-value inventory form, reimbursement may be capped at around $100 per pound per item or even less, depending on the company.
High value inventories do not serve as proof of value
A high value inventory form is not the same as proof of value for any specific item listed. The high value inventory form helps you take note of the item’s condition at origin (your old home) and destination (your new home). If you need to file a damage claim after delivery, you’ll still have to prove any amount that you claim.
Moving high value items by yourself
Handling high-value items on your own can be a smart move, especially if you’d rather keep certain things in your own hands or you’re working with a tighter budget. In fact, there are some items that most moving companies actually recommend you transport yourself, including:
- Highly sentimental or irreplaceable items (like photos and heirlooms)
- Important contacts and personal information
- Medications
- Electronics (like laptops, tablets, and cell phones)
- Cash and other forms of currency
- Essential documents (like car titles, passports, and insurance policies)
Avoiding damage to high value items during a DIY move
If you’re handling your move yourself, protecting your high-value items comes down to how well you prep and pack. A few smart moves can make all the difference:
- Create a detailed inventory of your belongings
- Consider moving insurance for especially valuable or sentimental items
- Use sturdy, high-quality boxes (skip the worn or secondhand ones)
- Remove hardware like knobs or handles to prevent breakage in transit
- Wrap delicate items individually with proper padding
- Pack boxes tightly so items don’t shift during loading and transport
- Clearly label anything fragile or high-value
- Bring in professional help for especially heavy or difficult items, if needed
At the end of the day, the way you pack matters. Cutting corners can cost you later, so when it comes to materials and protection, it’s worth doing it right the first time.
Summary
Professional movers have the training to ensure your things are packed and loaded correctly, especially heavy and bulky valuables. On the other hand, you are the best mover for extraordinarily sentimental items that even the best professionals can’t replace. In any case, it’s best to make a plan in advance to alleviate any extra anxiety about moving high-value items before move day.
Moving with high value items FAQ
Items that exceed $100 per pound are considered high value to move. Most moving companies also consider anything over $1000 as high value.
There are quite a few things that professional movers aren’t allowed to move. And most moving companies prefer not to move items of extremely sentimental value, or anything that is completely irreplaceable.
If you’re hiring a professional moving company, your movers will come prepared to pack all your belongings, including your 65″ TV. However, if you’re moving by yourself, you’ll want to make sure you purchase the correct boxes for your TV—preferably something that is double-walled for extra protection.
A high value inventory form is a list that professional moving companies use to account for the condition of your valuables at origin (your old home) and destination (your new home). If you do not fill one out, your moving company may not be liable for damages to those belongings during transit and delivery.
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