Orders in hand for Camp Lejeune, or heading out of Jacksonville? The to-do list gets long fast. Housing, schools, vehicles, the household goods shipment. Insurance usually lands near the bottom of that list, and that's how families end up sorting out coverage the same week the packers show up.
A short review now protects the things your family depends on during the move and after you settle in. Here's a practical PCS insurance checklist for Camp Lejeune families, whether you're arriving or leaving.
Start Your PCS Insurance Checklist with the Auto Policy
Your vehicles move with you, so confirm your coverage stays in force during transit and after you land in Onslow County (or wherever you're headed next). Update your address with the insurer as soon as you have one. Coming from another state? Ask whether your current policy can stay in place or whether you'll need a North Carolina setup. Keeping continuous coverage matters; a gap can cost you at your next quote. And check whether any SCRA protections may apply to loans or leases tied to the vehicles.
Renters and Homeowners: What Travels with You
If you'll live in base housing or rent in Jacksonville, Richlands, or Sneads Ferry, the landlord or housing provider covers the structure. A renters policy typically covers what's inside it: your furniture, electronics, uniforms, the kids' stuff. The good news is a renters policy usually travels with you from station to station.
If you own a home here or you're buying one, review the homeowners policy for the new address. Coastal risks work differently in Onslow County than inland. Wind may be included or written separately depending on the carrier, and flood always needs its own policy.
Your Household Goods Are Worth More Than the Mover's Limit
Government moves and commercial movers carry their own liability limits, and those limits often fall short of what your things are actually worth. Ask about additional coverage for the transit period before pack-out day. Photograph high-value items, record serial numbers, and keep a copy of the inventory with you rather than inside the shipment. If something arrives broken or doesn't arrive at all, clean records make the claim go a lot smoother.
Liability, Umbrella, and Beneficiaries
A PCS changes your exposure. Different home, maybe another vehicle, a teenager who wasn't driving at the last duty station. Make sure your liability limits on auto and home or renters still fit your situation, and consider whether an umbrella policy makes sense once you settle.
While you've got the paperwork out, confirm the beneficiaries on SGLI and any private life coverage still match your family. We don't push products. We make sure the paperwork matches the life you're actually living.
Common Questions
Do I need to cancel my old policy the day I leave?
Usually no. Line up the end date of the old coverage with the start of the new one so there's no gap and no overlap you're paying for twice. An independent agent can help sequence it.
Does renters insurance cover items in storage or in transit?
Many policies include some off-premises or transit coverage, but limits vary a lot. Ask for the specific language that applies to your policy.
What about flood or wind once we're in Jacksonville?
Standard homeowners and renters policies typically exclude flood. Wind may be included or written separately depending on the carrier and location. Coastal NC has its own rules, so review both before the first named storm of the season.
How soon should we start the insurance review?
As soon as orders are firm. Binding restrictions can pop up when storms threaten the coast, and address changes take a few days to process cleanly.
Orders in hand and want the checklist handled? Call or text 910-378-1378. We work with military families in Jacksonville every day and we keep it simple.
Coverage described here is general information, not a statement of what any specific policy covers. Actual coverage depends on the policy issued, its terms, and the carrier's determination. Kolstad Insurance Services, LLC is licensed in North Carolina.