Covering Your Personal Property During Your PCS

Moving can be a stressful and chaotic time, especially when you’re a military family. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared. That is why during a PCS move, it’s crucial to ensure that your personal belongings are protected in case of loss or damage. 

If you are doing a full military move, there will be some coverage through your Transportation Service Provider (TSP). However, there are restrictions and limitations. What happens if the coverage that they provide is not enough for you and your family? If you are performing a DITY move, then protecting your personal property is 100% your responsibility. Regardless of the type of move you decide to go with, it is smart to make sure you keep your homeowner or renter insurance in place during your move. 

Personal property coverage on your policy will help to protect your personal belongings in case of theft, fire, damage caused by storms and other causes. However, it’s essential to understand what your personal insurance policy covers during a PCS move.

Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered by homeowner or renter insurance during a PCS move:

What does homeowner and renter insurance cover during a PCS move?

• Fire, theft, or damage caused by a covered event: Loss or damage to your personal belongings caused by covered events such as fire, theft, or some types of storm damage
• Liability protection: Liability protection if your property causes damage to someone else’s property during the move or if someone is injured during the move
• Temporary living expenses: Temporary living expenses such as hotel stays or meals if your home or rental property becomes uninhabitable during the move

What is NOT covered by homeowner or renter insurance during a PCS move

• Damage caused by the moving company: Damage caused by the movers during the move. These damages should be covered by the moving company’s insurance policy.
• Damage caused by your own negligence: Damage to your belongings due to insufficient packing or handling by you or someone you hired. This may not be covered by your insurance policy.
• Mysterious disappearance of your property: Homeowner or renter insurance policies typically only cover losses that are sudden and accidental. If your belongings are simply lost or do not show up at your new home, your personal insurance policy may not cover the loss.
• Mold: Mold is often excluded by your homeowner or renter policy unless the mold was caused directly by a covered loss. If your shipment arrives with mold damage, file a claim with the TSP immediately.

Even though some of these items are not covered under a standard insurance policy, there are companies out there that have expanded coverage options that can increase your protection for your personal property. One such company is Armed Forces Insurance (AFI).  

For over 135 years, AFI has helped to protect the property of military members and their families. Their agents know how to best protect you and your family during a PCS move. They are there to answer your questions and go over your individual insurance needs. AFI’s personal property policies even have endorsements that can help cover things like mysterious disappearance, flood damage, and in some instances, breakage of your valuables. 

It’s essential to review your homeowner and renter insurance policy carefully and understand what is and isn’t covered to ensure that you have adequate protection during your PCS move. By understanding your policy, you can ensure that your belongings are adequately protected and have peace of mind during your move.

If you have any questions or concerns about your homeowner or renter insurance policy or would like to get a quote from AFI on how they can best protect you during your next PCS move. Give them a call at 800-313-1936 or go online at https://www.afi.org/milhousing and request a quote today. The agents at AFI can assist you and ensure that you have the coverage you need to protect your belongings during your PCS move.