Self Storage Insurance
Do you or don't you need it?
When renting a self storage unit you need to make sure you are insured. No self storage company will assume responsibility
for your goods; you waive their liability in your rental agreement. If there ever is a theft, roof leak, etc the
storage facility will not reimburse you for your damaged goods. Most state laws require that you have some form of insurance.
Every self storage facility will offer you some sort of insurance when you rent a unit. These are 3rd party insurance
providers and aren't affiliated with the storage facility. Most homeowners and renters insurance will cover goods in a
self storage unit. Contact your insurance agent to see if you're already covered with your current policy. Make sure you’re
deductible is less than $100 if you choose to use your homeowners or renters, most self storage insurance claims are under
$500. If your deductible is $500 or greater you might find yourself eating the cost of the damage.
If you decide to go with the insurance the self storage facility is offering make sure to ask the correct questions about
it. You want to know what it does and does not cover, usually the employee working there cannot tell you these things, and
this is due to liability placed on the self storage facility if they give false information. You can always ask for a
contact number to speak with an insurance agent. Remember to ask about what you are and are not covered for, what is your
deductible and what is your maximum coverage amount.
Regardless if you choose to use your homeowners\renters or facility offered insurance there are a few things you’ll want to
do incase you need to make a claim.
Make a detailed list of all items placed into your storage unit. Take pictures of the items while inside your storage unit. Take a picture of the lock while placed on the unit.
Those 3 simple things can make a claim much easier. Then store these things in a safe place (not inside the storage unit)
until you vacate the storage unit. Almost 98% of all storage renters don’t need to make insurance claims, but it is always
better to be safe then sorry when it comes to your personal items. Don’t be one of the 2% and get caught without self storage
insurance!
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