Moving Insurance

Information and Instructions Concerning International Transit Insurance

1. Biddulphs International has arranged a special programme of insurance underwritten by a well known International Insurance Company. This programme is administered locally by Aon South Africa in Pretoria. The insurer has offices and or agencies throughout the world to assist in the administration.
2. Even though you are entrusting your household goods and personal effects to a professional mover, there is a possibility of loss or damage while your shipment is exposed to the rigours of international shipment. You are encouraged to purchase insurance protection,
3. This insurance programme is especially designed to insure household goods, personal effects, antiques, fine arts, automobiles, etc, for international transit. Coverage is All Risk, door to-door with a few exclusions or conditions.
4. Please check with Biddulphs International to determine if this insurance coverage is subject to a deductible.
5. The value of the cover is declared value and or market value based on replacement cost. You determine the replacement cost of your possessions at destination and declare these values on a per item basis. The basis of the insurance is that the complete consignment must be insured and all items declared and valued. If your effects sustain a loss and they cannot be repaired, you are entitled to the value declared provided the effects cannot be replaced with others of similar kind and quality for a lesser sum.
6. Important notes on valuation: Whilst it is hoped that your effects will arrive at the destination in good order and condition the undermentioned points are brought to your attention by way of guidance in arranging the insurance cover and thereby facilitating the processing of any claim which may arise.

   6.1. The application for insurance which you are requested to complete is not intended as a definitive document for the description of your effects; it is a comprehensive list of property usually encountered in overseas moves, but you may have goods which are not detailed in the application, or you may have doubt in which section certain items are to be entered. In such instances you should prepare a separate list to add attach to the application or if you prefer you may compile a detailed valued inventory. It must be remembered that any goods not included in the application will be considered as not being insured therefore no claim will be accepted on such unlisted items in the event of loss and or damage.

   6.2. With the exception of motor vehicles, your effects for the purpose of insurance should be valued at the new replacement retail cost at destination. It is accepted that you may have difficulty in knowing the exact value at destination but you will have a reasonably good idea of the comparable cost of living in the country to which your goods are being shipped. Under valuation will result in your not receiving full compensation for any repairs which have to be effected as a consequence of transit damage. The insurers are not unreasonable when it is apparent that an effort has been made to provide reasonably accurate valuations at destination prices, but any serious under valuation insurance will result in ‘the application of average’ which means, for example, that if an item is under insured valued by 50%, the insurers will pay only half of any repair charge incurred. If repair charges on any one item should exceed the declared value, the liability of the insurers will be limited to the declared value less any residual value the damaged articles are determined to have. Should shortages occur the claim settlement will be based on the declared values.

   6.3. Motor vehicles should be valued at the sound market value in South Africa; that is to say the value for which the same or similar vehicle could be purchased in an undamaged condition. Again under valuation insurance will result in the application of average.

   6.4. The above demonstrates the importance of accurately listing and valuing your effects being relocated. With this in mind you will understand it is not in your best interests to leave the completion of the application and or valued inventory to someone else.

7. Note that there are certain conditions and exclusions in this coverage. The precise working is provided on the final page of the application. Please make yourself familiar with these conditions before you complete your application.
8. Confirmation of insurance will be provided to you by Biddulphs International once they have received your completed application. Copy of your confirmation will be mailed to the mover who will be delivering your shipment. Please review it carefully when it is received.
9. Biddulphs International will take all possible precautions to guarantee the safe arrival of your belongings. However, if damage results which necessitates the filing of a claim, please carefully follow the instructions which will accompany your confirmation of insurance.

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Under Insurance of your Consignment

Ensure that your property and goods are insured for the full replacement value at destination and cars at South African market value. The consequences of under insurance can be disastrous. The Condition of Average applies to the Policy. This means that if, at the time of any loss or damage, the Sum Insured is lower than the true replacement value, the Insurers will only be liable to pay a proportionate amount of the loss.

Example

R 50 000
R100 000 = 50%
Therefore the settlement is 50% of the amount claimed of R25 000.
R25 000 x 50% = R12 500

As the actual value is double the Value Insured, Insurers are only liable