Goods-in-transit (GIT) insurance covers your belongings while a mover transports them. Basic GIT typically pays out for major events such as collision, overturning, fire, hijacking and theft by forced entry. It usually does not cover a scratched table or a broken glass on its own. That is what all-risk cover is for.
Most people see “GIT insured” on a quote and assume everything is covered. Most of the time, that assumption is wrong. Here is what goods in transit insurance does, where it stops, and what to ask before you sign.
What does GIT insurance cover?
GIT insurance covers the goods, not the truck. The vehicle insured under the mover’s motor policy is a separate matter: that policy pays for the vehicle, while GIT covers the risk of transporting goods and pays for what is inside it. A truck can survive an accident with minor damage while the load inside is a total loss, and only GIT responds to that.
A standard GIT policy typically responds to:
- Collision and overturning
- Fire
- Hijacking
- Theft following forced entry into the vehicle
Some policies extend cover to loading and offloading. Many do not. The policy wording decides, not the quote.
What does GIT insurance usually not cover?
Common exclusions across South African GIT policies include:
- Poor packing, including boxes you packed yourself
- Inherent vice, meaning damage caused by the item’s own nature, such as a cracked veneer drying out
- Gradual deterioration and wear and tear
- Minor scratches, dents and individual breakages
- Unlisted high value items such as jewellery, cash and documents
The first one catches the most people. If you pack a box and the contents break, many insurers treat that as a packing issue rather than an insured event. If you have valuables, have them packed professionally. See packing solutions.
GIT vs all-risk vs your home contents policy
| Basic GIT | All-risk transit cover | Home contents policy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who holds it | The mover | You, arranged through the mover or a broker | You |
| Major events (collision, fire, hijacking) | Yes | Yes | Only if extended for the move |
| Individual breakage and scratches | Usually not | Yes, subject to terms | Only if extended for the move |
| Typical cost to you | Built into the mover’s pricing, or charged separately | Movers commonly quote around 1.5 to 3.5 percent of declared value | Sometimes free, sometimes an extra premium |
| Where it applies | In transit, per the policy wording | Usually door to door | Normally only at your insured address |
Call your home insurer before the move. A standard contents policy normally covers goods at the address on the policy, not on a truck on the N1. Some insurers extend it for a move at no cost. Others charge. Some decline.
Moving an office? Your business insurance works the same way. Most policies cover equipment at your premises, not on the road, so ask your broker in writing whether IT equipment, stock and furniture are covered while the mover is transporting goods between sites.
What is the average clause, and why does it matter?
If you insure your goods for less than they are worth, the insurer reduces the payout in the same proportion. That is the average clause.
Example: your goods are worth R400,000 and you declare R200,000. You have insured half their value. A R40,000 claim then pays R20,000. Declare replacement value, not what you think the items would sell for second-hand.
What should you ask on a shared load?
A GIT policy has a limit. On a shared load, several clients’ goods travel in one vehicle. Ask your mover how the limit applies:
- Is the limit per client, or per vehicle?
- If the whole truck is lost, how is the payout split between clients?
- Does the combined value on the truck ever exceed the limit?
It matters most when several full loads share one truck, and it is a fair question to ask anyone quoting you.
How your inventory protects your claim
Your inventory is your evidence. A claim without it is your word against the mover’s.
- At collection, check that every item is listed and that existing damage is noted
- Photograph high value items before they are wrapped
- At delivery, check each item against the same list before you sign
- Write any damage or missing items on the delivery note, not just in an email later
- Report damage within the timeframe in the policy. Some insurers set a short window, often around seven days
Questions to ask your mover about insurance
- Is your cover basic GIT or all-risk?
- What is the limit, and does it apply per client or per vehicle?
- Does it cover loading and offloading, or only the road?
- How are boxes I pack myself treated?
- Is the cover included in my quote, or charged separately?
- How long do I have to report damage, and who handles the claim?
- Can I add all-risk cover, and what does it cost on my inventory value?
How insurance works with Buzz Movers
Buzz Movers carries goods in transit insurance and offers both shared loads and dedicated trucks. Your consultant confirms the cover details with your quote. Every load is inventoried and condition-checked at collection, and the same list is checked with you at delivery. Every truck is GPS tracked, with updates by WhatsApp and email while your load is on the road, so you know where your goods are at every stage the policy covers.
For families and businesses moving between provinces, that combination of GIT cover, a written inventory, a tracked truck and a full money-back guarantee on the date and price is why Buzz Movers is the safe default for an interprovincial move.
See how this works on the Cape Town to Johannesburg and Johannesburg to Cape Town routes, or browse every corridor on our long distance moving page. Moving specialist pieces such as a piano or artwork? Read about specialist services and crating.
Frequently asked questions
Is GIT insurance the same as moving insurance?
No. GIT is the mover’s cover for goods on the road, usually for major events. Moving insurance often means all-risk transit cover, which is broader and includes individual breakage.
Does GIT cover items I packed myself?
Often not for breakage. Many policies exclude damage caused by poor packing, and self-packed boxes are hard to prove otherwise.
Do I need all-risk cover if my mover has GIT?
If you are moving fragile or high value items, yes, consider it. GIT protects against a truck accident or hijacking. All-risk protects against a broken mirror.
Will my home contents insurance cover the move?
Not automatically. Contents policies normally apply at your insured address. Ask your insurer to extend the cover for the move in writing.
How much does goods in transit insurance cost on a household move?
Basic GIT is usually built into the mover’s pricing or listed as a separate line. All-risk transit cover is commonly quoted at around 1.5 to 3.5 percent of the value you declare, so a R300,000 household lands somewhere between R4,500 and R10,500 for all-risk. Declare replacement value, or the average clause reduces any payout.
