Moving is hell. Moving 500 bottles of wine in July is a gamble. I hired a “specialist” mover, but the truck broke down in Arizona. Three days later, my wine arrived at the new house. The corks were pushed, and the capsules were spinning freely. The wine was cooked. My homeowners policy said: “We don’t cover goods in transit.”
Key Takeaways
- Home Policies Don’t Move: Your homeowners insurance usually stops at your front door. It rarely covers items in a moving truck, especially for “temperature damage.”
- Mover’s Insurance is a Joke: Standard mover liability is often $0.60 per pound. A 3lb bottle of Petrus worth $5,000 would get you a check for $1.80.
- “Care, Custody, and Control”: Once you hand the wine to a mover, you have transferred custody. You need a dedicated “Trip Transit” or “Voyage” policy.
- Packing Matters: If you packed the boxes yourself (“PBO – Packed by Owner”), insurers will deny breakage claims. The professional must pack it to insure it.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is relying on the Moving Company’s Valuation. They sell you “Valuation,” not insurance. It has massive loopholes for “Act of God” and “Mechanical Failure.”
The second trap is the “Territorial Limit.” Your home policy covers the “Residence Premises.” The highway between your old house and new house is a no-man’s-land of coverage.
The Investigation (I Called Them)
I looked for who actually covers wine on the road.
Xpeditr / AIG Marine
- My Analysis: These are the pros. You buy a specific policy for the move. They require temperature-controlled trucks (reefers). If the reefer fails, the policy pays.
- Cost: roughly 1-3% of the total value of the wine.
U-Haul / Standard Moving Insurance
- My Analysis: Useless for wine. They explicitly exclude “perishable items” and “liquids.”
Your Existing High-Value Policy (Chubb)
- My Analysis: Chubb often covers “In Transit” for scheduled items, but they usually have a limit (e.g., $50,000) and strict packing requirements. You must notify them before the move.
Comparison Table
| Option | Coverage Type | Temp Control Covered? | Breakage Covered? |
| Mover’s Liability | By Weight ($0.60/lb) | No | Only if they drop the box |
| Standard Homeowners | Named Perils (Fire/Theft) | No | Usually No |
| Specialty Transit Policy | All Risk | Yes (if reefer used) | Yes (if pro packed) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Hire a Dedicated Wine Transporter: Do not put wine in the furniture truck. Use companies like Western Carriers or Xpeditr.
- Buy the “Voyage Policy”: Ask the transporter for “All-Risk Cargo Insurance” that specifically lists “spoilage due to temperature variation.”
- Insert Temperature Loggers: Put a USB logger in Box #1 and Box #50. This provides the data trace to prove the truck got too hot.
- [IMAGE: Photo of a USB temperature logger sitting inside a styrofoam wine shipper]
- Inspect Upon Arrival: Do not sign the “Received in Good Condition” form until you have checked the temp loggers. If the light is red (too hot), note “POTENTIAL HEAT DAMAGE” on the receipt.
FAQ
Can I move it myself in my car?
Yes, but your auto insurance won’t cover the wine (only the car). Your home policy might cover it under “Personal Property Off Premises,” but usually only for fire/theft, not breakage or heat.
What if the truck crashes?
A crash is usually covered by standard transit policies. The heat damage is the hard part to insure.
How long do I have to file a claim?
For transit claims, the window is tight—often 3 to 5 days. Inspect immediately.