Self Pack Containers – Do you need Insurance if you are relocating overseas.
Is Freight Insurance Required for Self-Pack Shipping Containers
In general, we always recommend that you take out freight insurance for your shipment. In the real world though, there are a number of factors that should be considered. You should know the value of the 
goods, the cost of insurance, the risk involved, and any excess charges or restrictions that might apply. This will help you make an appropriate decision.
For self-pack shipping containers with household and personal effects, there are several important factors to consider:
- How well are your goods and possessions packed?
- Are you packing yourself or having a removals company do it for you?
- Do you have a valuation of your goods?
- Does the thought of losing your possessions keep you up at night?
- Is the cost of insurance fair and reasonable for the risk?
We’ll explore each of these factors in more detail.
Self-Packing Goods for International Shipping
If you are shipping any furniture and/or white goods, then wherever possible, you should repack the goods into their original packaging. If you are like most people, however, you won’t have kept any of that. So, you have to consider how best to package anything you wish to send. You should;
- always have a good supply of cartons for things like kitchenware, clothes and books.
- ensure you have enough bubble wrap, packing tape, packaging materials, blankets, sheets and so on.
- give your best attention and efforts to the items which are most valuable and/or fragile.
A Shipping Container Self-Pack Overview
There are a number of elements worth highlighting when packing up for an overseas relocation.
- Make up a packing list with all items and their approximate value written down. This list will help with insurance and any customs inspections. It can also help with managing possible taxes and charges due at your destination.
- Ensure all cartons are labelled with a general description of what they contain. This may be useful for if the goods are checked or inspected at the destination. It is also extremely useful for yourself when you start to unpack or need to find an item urgently.
- If you are uncertain of how much packing material to use, go for excessive packing and protection. Ocean freight transportation can be rough. This is both with regard to the potential weather at sea and the journey a shipping container takes throughout the shipping process.
- Larger items such as furniture and other valuables can be well protected against each other with sheets and blankets. You can use your existing sheets and bedding or purchase dedicated removalist blankets. Ensure that you have enough of your own, even if using a removalist company to help you pack.
Self-Pack Shipping Container vs International Removals Company.
Bear in mind that however you pack your own container, all of your items need to be tightly secured.
Containers have a number of “tie-down” points for you to secure your furniture and other items. You will need your own blankets, sheets, pillows and the like, however, for added protection. These also help to protect your items from any movement or rubbing against each other. They also help to prevent movement of items within the container.
Remember that vessels will encounter storms and rough seas, and swells of up to 20 meters are not uncommon. Just remember that the goods inside a container onboard a vessel that encounters such swells will be subject to severe stress and movement.
Once again, it is imperative that all items are tightly packed and secured to prevent damage.
If you are packing the container yourself then ensure most of your goods are packed before the container arrives. Generally, you will only have a few days to pack the container securely unless you have actually purchased the shipping container instead of leased it.
If packing is not for you then a simple alternative is to hire a professional removals company. They will pack and/or remove the goods from your house and bring the goods to our nominated container depots in each main port city. These professionals then transload the items from their van into the container, ready for shipping.
Whilst a removalist may use their own blankets and the like for the domestic movement, they will not use this same packaging for export. They will not be able to get their blankets back. It is imperative that you provide enough blankets, sheets, pillows, strapping and other materials for use when packing your container.
Valuing Your Goods and Deciding Fair Value for Freight Insurance
There are definite advantages to arranging freight insurance. The main one is peace of mind; you can sleep at night knowing that your items are covered.
But, firstly you have to consider a fair value.
Consider that if you had a total loss, how much would it cost you to replace the goods?
- Do you have any formal valuations of any items? Keep a copy on hand, just in case.
- Some items may be sentimental, or even some furniture “irreplaceable”. How much are they worth? In these cases, you still need to be practical.
- What is the condition of your goods? how much are they really worth.
- Remember, the more you value your goods, the higher the insurance premium will cost, so be realistic.
Insurance companies will not pay you just any old amount. They are also unlikely to cover you for surface damage that may or may not have occurred in transit.
If you use a professional removalist service from your house until the goods are secured into your container, then you will need to be able to provide a receipt for their services. If you use a removalist, the insurers consider the container to have been professionally packed. The individual terms and conditions of the insurance policy will differ depending upon the company you use. One benefit of this is that you will be able to claim insurance for professionally handled and packed goods. This will cover you from door to door including total loss of the container.
If you pack the container yourself, also check with your insurance company what they will or won’t cover. Anything you pack yourself obviously saves money, however, risks receiving a more limited cover. Some companies only offer total loss insurance on self-pack containers.
Our Freight Shipping Services
Freight insurance is not included in our international shipping services unless specifically requested and paid for. We can, of course, advise and assist you in getting the proper insurance coverage for your shipping. Alternatively, it is possible for you to arrange independent insurance coverage.
All air and sea freight shipping realistically involves some potential rough conditions and handling, all goods are shipped at your own risk. This is the purpose of insuring your shipment. Any and all claims are only assessed and settled by a formal insurance company.
Arranging Shipping Insurance
There are a number of 3rd parties which arrange cargo insurance. Some we know of are:
Also, check out your local insurance broker as they have many other products available. For instance, Vero and QBE offer insurance for household removals but these insurance products are generally only available through brokers.
Please note; The above information is only general in nature. You should always seek advice separately and ensure that any insurance covers your requirements specifically.
It is up to you!
Arranging Your Sea Freight
We can help arrange all your sea freight and shipping requirements. Contact us if you are relocating overseas and would like help.
