It is probably true that nobody will treat your belongings as well as you will. This is one of the major reasons people cite for wanting to do a PPM/DITY move.
While this approach is
fundamentally different from the profit motive, we highly recommend you at least reference
the Profit Strategy page to help keep your move in the green.
The main difference between this strategy and the profit strategy is the focus on money. We assume here you'd prefer to trade some or even all of your profit to keep your goods safe. That might mean using a more expensive form of transit, buying all-new packaging and specialized containers, or hiring skilled packers.
What your insurance actually covers (and doesn't)
Most people assume their homeowner's or renter's policy has them covered during a move. It usually does — but typically only for named perils like fire, theft, vandalism, or a vehicle crash. If you or a buddy drop a box or scuff a dresser carrying it down the stairs, that's ordinary handling damage, and it's almost never covered. Before your move, call your insurer and ask two specific questions: does my policy's off-premises/personal-property coverage apply during a move, and what's the dollar cap (many policies limit it to a fraction of your total coverage)?
Separately, check with your auto insurer whether your policy extends to a rental truck. For most people it doesn't — many auto policies specifically exclude larger rental trucks, and most credit-card rental protections don't cover trucks at all, only cars. That means the rental company's own damage/cargo waiver, as tempting as it is to wave off as an upsell, may be the only real coverage on the table for that vehicle.
Helpful Hints
- You should always keep an eye on the bottom line. There should be no reason not to at least break even on a PPM/DITY move, even without a strong profit motive.
- Starting early is one of the best ways to increase the safety and security of your belongings. A rushed move gets done sloppily. Taking the time to pack well ahead of time pays off on moving day.
- Even if you're not after profit, keep receipts for all expenses to reduce your taxable income from the move — without receipts, you'll be taxed on the full reimbursement amount. Contact your finance office for details.