Expat Exchange Community
13 years ago
Beware the Hidden Costs of Moving Abroad!
13 years ago
We just returned from 4 years in the United Kingdom, and as we were on local contracts, we found what we thought was the most competitive company to manage our move.
While the bid was competitive, the company told my husband that homeowners' insurance would not cover our move (it does), that he had to submit an inventory for goods and in the end, they tacked on 30% to the cost of the move for insurance.
When we complained, the company told us that it was industry standard.
I would strongly urge those moving abroad to check the hidden costs, including exorbitant costs for insurance, to minimize exposure at the very end of a move. Similarly, HR departments, relocation teams and government agencies should manage those costs as well.
While the bid was competitive, the company told my husband that homeowners' insurance would not cover our move (it does), that he had to submit an inventory for goods and in the end, they tacked on 30% to the cost of the move for insurance.
When we complained, the company told us that it was industry standard.
I would strongly urge those moving abroad to check the hidden costs, including exorbitant costs for insurance, to minimize exposure at the very end of a move. Similarly, HR departments, relocation teams and government agencies should manage those costs as well.
