When you plan to move house or simply move your belongings to storage, it is important to ensure that your insurance policy covers all contingencies that may arise during relocation.

Although you may already have an insurance policy that covers the contents of your home, different conditions may apply when your contents are moved. For this reason, you should always check with your insurance company several weeks before your planned move so you can make any necessary adjustments and pay any additional premiums that may be involved.

Here’s a five-point checklist to follow to make sure you have the right insurance coverage and minimize any claims.

Call your insurance company at least two weeks before your move and explain the full circumstances. Premiums are often determined by zip code, so her premium may be affected if she moves to a different suburb.

Check with your moving company to see if they offer any insurance coverage for your individual items. Sometimes the quoted price will include an insurance premium for the move. If this is the case, inform your own insurance company of the circumstances and see if you can get a reduction in your policy. This way, you’ll avoid double paying premiums and confusion about where to file a claim should it arrive.

When your mover offers comprehensive transit insurance, make sure the policy limit is enough to cover the cost of your goods. Some policies are limited to $100,000 and may not cover the value of your contents. Make sure you understand the coverage limit and the circumstances under which a claim will be handled.

If you include your car in the relocation, be sure to tell your motor vehicle insurer so it can make any similar policy adjustments to your contents coverage. Your mover may also have included a premium for vehicle coverage in your quote, so it’s important to be aware of all the terms and have comprehensive coverage. Even when the policy says you have full coverage, find out exactly what full coverage means before you agree to the policy.

Make sure your move has adequate workers’ compensation coverage and that you check with your own insurance company to avoid any insurance coverage conflicts. The liability insurance provided by your home and contents coverage policy may overlap with some elements of the workers’ compensation policy offered by your move. Make sure you don’t play double on prizes.

Naturally, even if you’re satisfied that your insurance coverage is up to date and will cover all contingencies, you’ll want to make sure everything is packed properly to avoid having to make a claim.

If you use high-quality, double-layer cardboard boxes, properly sealed and labeled, and follow all packaging guidelines to avoid possible breakage, you will avoid having to make a claim and make your transition to self storage easy.