Insurance on your possessions when moving abroad is essential. While there isn’t any particular risk that a shipper will lose a container, the worst can happen.   Likewise, a slipped load or movement in transit can cause items to slide or tip inside the container if they aren’t well secured, so it’s essential to have an appropriate cover.   The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulates international shipping, and there are strict standards about shipping containers, but insurance is still vital to protect against accidents.   If you’re concerned about insurance costs, it may be tempting to opt for a less comprehensive policy – but equally vital to be aware of what is and isn’t covered.   All risks cover is the most comprehensive – but always check your policy for exclusions. For example, which might be natural disasters, failure to pay on time, or rejections at customs.   Named perils and total loss insurance are less expensive but also less comprehensive than all risks. Named perils insurance indicates that some shipped items aren’t valued enough to need insurance, so they might even be considered non-essentials that you don’t need to send.   Total loss is riskier since the only scenario in which your insurance will payout is a severe disaster that destroys the ship and all cargo.   Single coverage policies are usually sufficient if you’re moving abroad as an expat and know that your items need to make one journey.   However, suppose you intend to relocate again shortly or ship your belongings to an interim destination. In that case, you’ll need either multiple single coverage insurance policies or an open coverage product.   An open coverage policy is usually cheaper in this scenario.   Finally, you need to know what exactly is and isn’t covered. For example, marine cargo insurance may only cover your goods when on the ship itself – and so if they are dropped or lost on the dock, the policy may not apply.