E.E. Ward Moving & Storage

Yes, most professional moving companies provide storage, but it is critical to understand that the valuation coverage protecting your items during transit, like Full-Value Protection, often does not automatically extend to the storage period. This coverage gap can leave your belongings vulnerable to significant, uninsured risk without a separate, explicit agreement.

The moment between leaving your old home and settling into your new one is often filled with uncertainty. Closing dates misalign, renovations take longer than expected, or you simply need to declutter and store some items while you figure out your new space. In these moments, the question arises: can the same professional team handling your move also store your belongings? The simple answer is yes, many full-service movers offer a range of household goods storage solutions.

However, after more than a century in the logistics and transportation industry, we know the most important questions are rarely the simplest ones. The real issue isn't if a moving company provides storage, but how your prized possessions are protected once they cross the threshold of the warehouse. A dangerous assumption exists among consumers: that the robust protection they chose for their move magically follows their items into storage. This is rarely the case. There is a critical, often-overlooked "coverage cliff" where the terms of your move end and the terms of storage begin, and understanding this distinction is the key to a truly secure and stress-free transition.

The "Coverage Cliff": Where Your Moving Protection Ends

When you arrange for an interstate move, you’re presented with options for protecting your goods against loss or damage. This protection is legally known as valuation coverage, not insurance. It dictates the moving company's level of liability. The two standard options are:

• Full-Value Protection (FVP): This is the more comprehensive option. If any of your articles are lost, destroyed, or damaged, the mover must either repair the item, replace it with a similar item, or make a cash settlement for the cost of the repair or the current market replacement value. It provides peace of mind during a complex residential moving process.
• Released Value Protection: This is the no-additional-cost option, but it provides minimal protection. Under this choice, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. Federal law allows a moving company to limit its liability for loss and damage to $0.60 per pound for each item through 'released rates'. If a 50-pound flat-screen television is damaged, you would receive just $30 (50 lbs x $0.60), regardless of its actual value.

Here is the critical point: these valuation options are typically tied to your Bill of Lading, which is the contract for the transportation of your goods. In many cases, the legal "delivery" of your items occurs the moment the moving truck is unloaded at the company's storage facility. At that instant, the Bill of Lading is fulfilled, and your Full-Value Protection may cease to exist. Your belongings then fall under a new, separate warehouse storage agreement with an entirely different—and often much lower—level of liability.

SIT vs. Long-Term Storage: Not All Mover Storage is the Same

To navigate this complex landscape, you must understand the two primary types of storage offered by moving companies. Though they may seem similar, their contractual terms and how they impact your coverage can be vastly different.

Storage-in-Transit (SIT): The Short-Term Bridge

Storage-in-Transit, or SIT, is a temporary storage service—typically for 180 days or less—that is part of the continuous service of a long-distance or state-to-state moving project. It's designed specifically for situations like a delayed closing on your new home. Because SIT is considered an extension of the move itself, it is possible that your transit valuation coverage (like FVP) can be extended to cover this period, but you must explicitly confirm this with your mover and ensure it is documented in writing.

Never assume. The convenience of using your moving company for short-term storage is undeniable, but it's your responsibility to ensure the protection you paid for doesn't get left behind at the warehouse door.

Permanent or Long-Term Storage: A Different Legal Home

When you need to store items for a longer duration, you are typically entering into a permanent or long-term warehouse storage agreement. This is legally distinct from SIT. At this point, your items are no longer considered "in transit." They are now governed by a warehouseman's liability, a legal standard that is fundamentally different from a mover's transit liability.

Generally, a warehouse is only liable for loss or damage if it can be proven that they were negligent in their duties. This means if a fire, flood, or theft occurs that is not the direct result of the company's negligence, they may owe you nothing. Your high-value furniture, art, and family heirlooms could be at a total loss, and the comprehensive FVP you relied on for the move is no longer in effect.

Who's Responsible for a Disaster? Reading the Fine Print

This brings us to the most concerning scenario: a catastrophic event at the storage facility. While reputable companies operate a secure storage facility, often with climate-controlled storage units and surveillance, no facility is immune to fire, natural disasters, or sophisticated burglary. In these cases, the language in your storage contract is paramount.

Most warehouse agreements contain clauses that limit or eliminate their liability for "Acts of God" or other events beyond their control. This is why it is absolutely essential to contact your homeowner's or renter's insurance agent before placing items in any long-term storage. You may need to purchase a separate policy or an "off-premises" rider to ensure your belongings are covered for their full replacement value against these types of perils. A professional mover should be transparent about this. In fact, one of the top recommended questions to ask any mover is, "What’s your policy on damage claims?" A trustworthy mover will have a clear, straightforward answer for both transit and storage scenarios.

Comparing Your Options: Full-Service Mover vs. DIY & Hybrids

Understanding the liability gap is the first step. The next is choosing the right solution. Let's compare the most common approaches using the critical factor of liability.

Full-Service Movers with Storage

This option offers the highest level of convenience, providing a single point of contact for every aspect of your move, from professional packing help and furniture disassembly to transportation and storage. The service is seamless. However, this is where the risk of the "Coverage Cliff" is highest. You must be diligent in questioning your moving coordinator about the continuity of liability coverage from the move into the storage period and be prepared to secure separate insurance if there is a gap. A benefit is that the same professional team handles your items from start to finish, reducing the number of hands touching your belongings.

DIY Moving with Self-Storage

With a moving truck rental and a local self-storage unit, you control the entire process. The primary downside is that you bear 100% of the risk for damage during packing, loading, and transit. For the storage portion, your homeowner's or renter's insurance may provide some off-premises coverage, but you must verify the limits. This approach can be more affordable if you are comfortable with the physical labor and the risk, and it provides greater storage unit access. It's a trade-off between cost and both physical and financial risk.

Portable Storage Containers (e.g., PODS, U-Haul U-Box)

This hybrid model offers a middle ground. A container is delivered to your home, you load it, and the company transports it to their storage center or your new home. These companies offer their own protection plans for an extra fee, but like mover valuation, these often have significant limitations and exclusions. You are still responsible for the loading and unloading, where much of the damage in a move occurs. It's a viable choice, but requires carefully reading the protection plan documents to understand what is and is not covered.

Essential Questions to Ask Your Mover Before Storing Anything

To protect yourself and make an informed decision, you need to become your own best advocate. Before signing any contract that includes storage, get clear, written answers to these questions:

1. Does the Full-Value Protection I selected for my move continue, with the exact same terms, while my items are in your Storage-in-Transit (SIT) facility?
2. If I use your long-term storage, what is your warehouse's specific legal liability for my belongings? Please provide a copy of the warehouse storage receipt or contract.
3. Do you offer a separate insurance or protection plan for items in long-term storage? What are its specific costs, coverage limits, and exclusions for events like fire, water damage, and theft?
4. What is the exact process for filing a claim for items damaged or lost while in your storage, and how does that process differ from a claim for damage during transit?
5. Can I access my belongings while they are in your warehouse? What are the notice requirements and any associated fees for access?

A reputable, professional mover will welcome these questions and provide clear documentation. Hesitation or vague answers are a major red flag. Remember, for any move between states, the company must be properly licensed. A mover must have a number issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT), which you can verify online. This is a baseline indicator of a legitimate operation.

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

There is no single "best" solution for everyone. The right choice depends entirely on your circumstances, risk tolerance, and the value of your belongings. While the moving industry is adapting to new market demands, with providers scaling solutions for different market types, the responsibility of understanding the fine print still rests with the consumer.

For The In-Betweener

(A homeowner with high-value belongings making a long-distance move who needs temporary storage between closing dates.)

Your greatest need is a seamless transition, making a full-service mover's SIT offering highly attractive. However, your high-value items (like art or a piano) make you the most vulnerable to the coverage gap. Your best course of action is to insist on using a mover that will extend your Full-Value Protection in writing throughout the SIT period. If they won't, you must immediately contact your insurance agent to purchase a comprehensive rider for the storage duration. The extra cost is negligible compared to the potential loss.

For The Downsizing Budgeter

(An individual moving to a smaller space who needs long-term storage and is highly sensitive to price.)

The temptation to choose Released Value Protection ($0.60/lb) to save money is strong, but it's a massive gamble for long-term storage. Your focus should be on total cost and total risk. Get a free moving quote that separates the cost of the move from the monthly storage fee. Then, contact your insurance provider to see what a separate policy would cost. Compare this total to the cost and insurance options of a high-quality self-storage facility. Mover storage is often more secure, but self-storage may be more affordable and accessible.

For The Corporate Transferee

(An employee being relocated who trusts the process is fully managed.)

Even if your company is handling the bill, these are still your personal belongings. Do not assume the standard corporate relocation package provides unlimited coverage, especially during an extended storage period. Your move may be managed by a moving concierge service, but you should still be proactive. Ask your relocation manager or the moving company directly: "What are the specific liability limits while my items are in storage?" If there's a gap, ask your employer if they will cover the cost of an additional insurance policy. A downside of any full-service long-distance move is that it may take several days for delivery, and if storage is added, it's crucial to know your protection is continuous.

Ultimately, the key to a successful move that involves storage is clarity. By understanding the critical difference between transit liability and warehouse liability, you can ask the right questions and ensure your belongings are protected every step of the way. This foresight transforms a potentially risky gap into a secure, managed part of your journey to a new home.

For a transparent assessment of your moving and storage needs, and a free, no-obligation quote from a team that has upheld its promises for over 140 years, contact E.E. Ward Moving & Storage in Columbus, OH today. We ensure you have clarity and confidence from your old home to your new one, even when there's a wait in between.

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