Goods-in-Transit Insurance: What to Check Before Booking

What Is Goods-in-Transit (GIT) Insurance and Why It Matters

Two couriers securing a wooden crate beside a yellow van in London (insured delivery)

Goods-in-Transit insurance protects your items while they’re being moved from A to B. Whether it’s a single fragile sculpture, a multi-drop e-commerce run, or a same-day office relocation, GIT is the safety net that covers physical loss or damage during loading, transit, temporary storage, and unloading. For businesses, it’s not just “nice to have”—it’s a practical risk-control tool that keeps operations steady and customers confident.

Note: the points below are general guidance. Always check the policy schedule, endorsements and exclusions of your chosen provider.

What GIT Usually Covers (and Where It Stops)

Physical loss or damage: theft, accidental damage, collision impact, overturning, fire, and similar transit perils.
While in transit: often from the moment items are picked up and loaded until they’re delivered and signed for.
Extensions/endorsements (if added): temporary overnight storage in the van, loading/unloading, cross-decking between vehicles, or short-term warehousing en-route.

GIT does not typically cover:

Consequential loss or delays (missed deadlines, loss of profits).
Inherent vice/poor packaging (items that fail due to their own condition or inadequate packing).
Excluded goods (e.g., cash, precious metals, fine art, or hazardous items) unless expressly agreed.
Improper security (e.g., vehicle left unattended with doors unlocked, parking in non-secure areas against policy rules).

How Limits and Valuation Actually Work

Before you book a courier, verify how compensation is calculated:

Per vehicle vs. per consignment vs. per item: Policies may set different caps (e.g., a total per vehicle limit with a lower sub-limit per item). If you’re shipping a single high-value item, a low per-item cap can be a nasty surprise.
Basis of settlement: Indemnity (market value) vs. new-for-old (replacement) where available. Some policies reduce payouts for wear and tear.
Pairs & sets clause: If one chair from a set of six is damaged, the payout may be limited to the value of that single chair—not the entire set—unless specifically covered.
Excess: The deductible you agree to pay on each claim. A higher excess may reduce premium but increases your out-of-pocket risk.
Declared value accuracy: Under-declaring can limit payout and breach terms; over-declaring won’t help if the policy’s maximum is lower than your item value.

Red Flags and Exclusions You Should Actively Check

“Theft-attractive” goods: Tech, designer fashion, alcohol, tobacco, jewellery often face sub-limits or exclusions. Confirm treatment in writing.
Unattended vehicle rules: Many policies require deadlocks, immobilisers, alarms, and secure overnight parking. A theft during a quick coffee stop can be excluded if doors/windows weren’t secured.
Packaging & loading: If the sender is responsible for packing, inadequate packaging may void cover. Agree who packs and how (and document it).
Temperature-controlled items: If you’re moving chilled/frozen goods, confirm cover for temperature deviation and equipment failure.
Fragile/unique goods: Artwork, antiques, glass, stone, musical instruments often need specific wording or a “white-glove” endorsement.
International shipments: Cross-border moves may shift the legal framework and liability. Confirm that the courier’s GIT and your own insurance still apply door-to-door.

Courier Terms vs. Insurance: Don’t Confuse the Two

Courier terms and conditions often include limited liability (e.g., a cap per kilo or per consignment) unless you buy enhanced cover or declare a higher value ahead of time. Insurance is what can extend protection beyond those base limits—but only if arranged properly. If your item’s value exceeds either the courier’s standard liability or the insurer’s default limit, ask for:

A higher single-item/consignment limit, or
A one-off “special declaration” for that specific job, confirmed on the booking.

Proof of Delivery (POD), ePOD and Claims

Solid documentation speeds up claims and reduces disputes:

Pre-pickup condition: Photos/video, serial numbers, a packing list, and any pre-existing marks noted in writing.
During transit: Real-time tracking, route logs, and time-stamped status updates help establish a clean chain of custody.
At delivery: ePOD with name, signature, timestamp, geo-tag, and photos of items in situ. If damage is suspected, mark the POD as “received with damage” and photograph immediately.
Claims window: Policies set strict notification deadlines (e.g., notify within 24–72 hours). Miss the window—risk losing the claim.

Who Packs, Who Lifts, Who’s Liable

Agree responsibilities up front:

Packing: Courier-packed vs. client-packed. If client-packed, follow a written packing guide (double-walled boxes, edge protectors, corner guards, furniture blankets, straps).
Handling: For heavy/bulky items, book two-man delivery. Single-driver handling of oversized goods increases breakage risk and may breach safe-lifting rules.
Access & restrictions: Stairs, lifts, loading bays and time windows. If the team must maneuver via tight stairwells, tell them in advance—policies don’t cover “attempting the impossible”.

Special Cases: Furniture, Art, Tech and Cold Chain

Furniture/white-glove: Ask about protective materials (mattress bags, sofa protectors, crating), on-site assembly, and post-delivery photos. Confirm that cosmetic damage is within scope.
Art & antiques: Custom crating, shock/tilt indicators, climate notes. Many insurers require professional packing or a specialist courier team.
Electronics/IT: Anti-static packaging, original boxes if possible, and serial-number logs. Exclusions may apply to data loss—insurance covers the device, not the files.
Chilled/frozen: Temperature logs, pre-cooled vehicles, door-open time discipline. Confirm coverage for spoilage due to equipment failure vs. driver error.

Subcontractors and Handoffs

If your courier sometimes uses trusted partners for capacity peaks or remote areas:

Ensure subcontractors are held to the same GIT standards.
Request a single point of liability: the courier you book remains responsible to you, even if a partner physically completes the job.
Keep a paper trail: job ID, who had custody when, and corresponding ePOD.

The “Pre-Book” Checklist (Use This Before You Click “Confirm”)

Item details and value: What exactly is moving? Single item or multiple? Exact declared value?
Coverage limit: Per item / per consignment / per vehicle. Is the limit above your item’s value?
Exclusions: Any special categories (fragile, art, high-theft, temperature-controlled)? Are they included?
Packaging plan: Who packs? What materials? Any crating needed?
Handling plan: One-man vs. two-man team; stairs/lifts; awkward access; time windows.
Security: Vehicle security requirements, overnight parking rules, unattended stops.
POD/ePOD: Will you get time-stamped signatures and photos? What does the report include?
Claims window & excess: How fast must you notify? What’s the deductible?
Higher-value declaration: If needed, arrange in advance and get written confirmation.
Subcontractors: If handoffs are possible, confirm same insurance standards and single point of liability.

How Lucky Van Handles GIT in Practice

Clear limits, upfront: We confirm per-item and per-job limits in writing and offer enhanced cover where appropriate.
ePOD by default: Time-stamped signatures and photos at pickup and delivery; photo-proof for fragile and high-value items.
Two-man option: For furniture, art and heavy appliances, minimizing risk from the first lift to final placement.
Pro-grade packing: Blankets, straps, corner guards, shrink, and (when requested) custom crating or retail-collection re-boxing.
Temperature-aware runs: For chilled goods, we brief drivers on door-open discipline and can provide temperature logs when required.
Claims support: If the unexpected happens, we help gather evidence fast so the insurer can make a decision without delays.

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