What to Send Your Insurer for a Removals Quote After a Flood or Fire

What to send before anyone moves the contents

• Claim reference, insurer or loss adjuster contact, and who can approve the move and any changes.
• Collection and destination, expected dates, stairs, parking and whether access has been cleared.
• A room-by-room list of belongings cleared to move. Identify what goes to temporary accommodation and what goes to storage.
• Any packing or dismantling needed and whether delivery back should be priced separately.

What an itemised quote should look like

For example, a leak might mean you can take essentials to temporary accommodation while the larger furniture goes to storage. The insurer can then see the two destinations and approve the separate legs. The schedule below shows the scope that needs pricing.

What a loss adjuster needs to approve a pack-out

A contents pack-out means removing agreed belongings so drying, repair or reinstatement work can go ahead. If only the ground floor needs clearing, ask the adjuster which rooms and items are in scope. Confirm who creates the condition inventory and who is handling damaged items. This lets the adjuster approve the removal work separately from restoration or disposal.

For example, a burst pipe leaves one room unavailable and the repair team needs the room cleared. The initial approval can cover packing cleared items and transporting them to agreed storage. If the repairs run over, the extra weeks and return transport can be approved separately. This leaves a record of what changed instead of a single invoice with an unexplained higher total.

Copy this note to request approval

Please confirm who will instruct and pay for the packing and removals at [postcode], and whether transport to [destination], storage and the return move are approved separately. The claim reference is [reference]. Please confirm any quote limit, the invoice details and who can authorise changes.

Can the insurer pay Sandy Movers directly?

That can be arranged where the insurer or appointed party agrees to instruct the job and accepts the billing terms. If you are booking yourself and claiming reimbursement, ask the insurer to confirm the approved amount and paperwork before you commit. Sandy Movers can send an itemised invoice with the agreed reference.

The insurer decides what the policy covers. Sandy Movers coordinates the move. After a flood or fire, the responsible specialist must confirm safe access and which items can be handled. Cleaning, drying, restoration and handling contaminated contents should be arranged with the appropriate specialist.

Keep the final paperwork together

Keep the approved quote, inventory, written approvals for any changes and final invoice. If the move-back date changes, tell the adjuster or insurer before booking extra storage or another trip. Share addresses, photographs and claim references directly with the parties arranging the move.

Does home insurance cover moving and storage after a flood or fire?

Ask the insurer or loss adjuster to confirm each cost. The policy can treat temporary accommodation, transport, storage and damaged contents differently. Approval to move out does not by itself confirm that every contents charge is covered.

Can I choose my own removal company for an insurance claim?

Ask first whether the insurer wants an approved supplier or will consider your own itemised quote. Confirm whether you need one or more quotes and who can authorise the booking.

What should be on the final removals invoice?

Include the agreed billing party, claim or purchase order reference, date and work carried out, including approved changes. Separate packing, move-out, transport to storage and return if the payer approved them separately.

Can you remove smoke-damaged or flooded furniture?

Sandy Movers can move contents cleared for safe handling. Ask the restoration team or insurer how to handle any contaminated or damaged items and whether they need to be kept as evidence.