What piano moving insurance actually covers

Most specialist piano movers will tell you that every move is fully insured. That is a reasonable baseline, but it is worth understanding what it means in practice before you hand over a valuable instrument.

What transit insurance covers

Transit insurance covers accidental damage or loss that occurs during the move itself, from the moment the crew begins loading to the moment the piano is placed in its new room. That includes damage caused by an accident in transit, a vehicle incident, or mishandling during loading and unloading.

For most domestic piano moves between two properties, transit cover to the instrument's value is the relevant protection. If something goes wrong during the move, the insurance pays out to the declared value of the piano.

What transit insurance does not cover

Transit cover is not home contents insurance. It does not cover damage that occurs after the piano has been placed and the crew has left. It typically does not cover pre-existing damage, cosmetic wear, or damage that results from conditions at the property rather than from the move. If a piano is delivered to a room with a significant damp problem and the action deteriorates over the following months, that is not a transit claim.

It also does not cover the cost of a tuning after the move. Tuning is a standard maintenance requirement after any piano move, not a result of damage.

Declared value and what to tell your mover

For transit insurance to pay out correctly, the insured value needs to be accurate. When you book, tell the mover the make, model, approximate age and the current market value of the piano. For a Steinway Model B or a Bosendorfer, that figure can be substantial, and it is worth confirming that the cover in place is adequate for your specific instrument rather than a standard blanket policy.

If you are unsure of the current value, a piano technician or dealer can give you a written valuation. This is worth doing before any move involving an instrument worth more than a few thousand pounds.

What PianoSpeed carries

Every PianoSpeed move is fully insured to the instrument's value. For particularly high-value instruments, such as concert grands and vintage uprights, tell us the make, model and declared value when you book and we will confirm the cover is in place for your move specifically.

A word on general removals

General removals firms carry goods-in-transit insurance, but the policy is written for furniture and household effects, not instruments. The declared value limits may be lower, and the policy may exclude instruments above a certain value. If a general removals firm is moving your piano, check the policy limits and exclusions before proceeding.

• Ask for the insured limit per item, not just the total load value
• Check whether instruments are specifically excluded or subject to a lower sublimit
• Ask whether the cover requires specialist packing, and confirm that the firm uses purpose-built piano kit

Getting a price and confirming cover

Get an instant fixed price at book.pianospeed.com. When you book, note the make and model in the booking details, and if the piano is particularly valuable, call us on 020 7164 0000 before the move so we can confirm the cover level. PianoSpeed is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 77 reviews.