Self-storage units are a great option for storing your belongings securely, especially during a move or decluttering your home or business. These facilities provide various security measures to safeguard your belongings, but unforeseen events such as theft, natural disasters, or accidents can still happen. 

That’s where self-storage insurance comes in; it offers peace of mind by providing financial protection for your stored belongings. In this blog, we will discuss the essentials of self-storage insurance coverage, which will help you understand why it is important and what factors to consider when selecting a policy. 

Whether you are storing your personal or business items in a self-storage unit or storage facility, it is crucial to ensure that your belongings are fully secured and insured during your rental period at the facility. 

Self-storage insurance is a policy designed to protect business owners who offer storage services to the public. This type of insurance is essential for any self-storage business, as it provides coverage for a wide range of risks, including damage to customer’s stored property, theft, and liability claims. Without self-storage insurance, business owners could be left financially responsible for any damages or losses that occur. 

Once you understand storage unit insurance, it is important to understand what is covered by the policy. 

Burglary and theft are real possibilities at any self-storage facility. This is especially true if you are storing high-value items that thieves could target. For example, if you are using a self-storage unit to store your antique coin collection, you need to purchase additional coverage to protect those items.

Most self-storage insurance policies cover theft and burglary, but reviewing your policy to see what is and isn’t covered is important. If you have high-value items, you may need to purchase additional coverage to make sure your items are fully protected.

Pests and rodents are more common than you think. To protect your belongings from pest damage, keeping food and other attractants out of your storage unit is important. You can also place pest control products in and around your unit to help keep pests away.

In addition to taking more preventative measures, you should consider adding pest damage coverage to your self-storage insurance policy. This will protect your belongings from pests or rodents.

Self-storage units are susceptible to water damage from floods, heavy rain, and snow. It can ruin your tenant’s personal possessions and lead to a costly insurance claim.

Your self-storage insurance policy should cover water damage from a variety of sources, including:

• Heavy rain

• Leaky roofs

• Melting snow

• Plumbing leaks

If your self-storage facility is located in an area prone to flooding or has a history of water damage, you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.

In most cases, self-storage insurance does not provide coverage for damage caused by floods. If you are in an area prone to flooding, you should consider purchasing a separate flood insurance policy to ensure your belongings are protected.

If your self-storage facility is in an area that’s prone to severe weather, you may want to consider adding storm coverage to your policy. This can help protect your business from the costs of damage caused by hail, wind, rain, snow, and other types of storms.

Be sure to check with your insurance agent to see what types of storms are covered by your policy and what the limits are. Some policies may have exclusions for certain storms, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, or lower limits for storm coverage.

Several other causes of loss may be included in your policy. A comprehensive self-storage insurance program might also offer coverage for:

• Fire or lightning

• Explosion

• Smoke

• Vandalism

• Collapse

• Weight of snow, ice, or sleet

• Sinkhole Collapse

• Property in transit

• Falling Objects

• Sonic Boom

• Riot or Civil Commotion

When you’re selecting an insurance policy for your storage unit, ask the following questions so you understand exactly what kind of coverage you’re getting:

• What should be the value of the items I place in my storage unit?

• What is the maximum coverage amount of this policy?

• What is the coverage scope i.e., what is covered and what is not?

• Are there limitations or exclusions in the policy?

• What’s the deductible amount? A higher deductible can lower your premium, but it also means paying more out-of-pocket in the event of a claim.

• Do I need special coverage for valuables like antiques, art, or collectibles? If so, have I gotten permission from the storage facility manager to store such items in my unit?

You are responsible for protecting your belongings when you rent a storage unit. If you don't, and they are damaged or destroyed, you could end up losing a lot of money. That's where self-storage insurance comes in. By getting the right insurance coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are protected.

There are many different types of self-storage insurance coverage available, so it's important to do your research and find the one that's right for you. If you're unsure where to start, consider talking to a self-storage insurance expert like Discount Storage Insurance. They can help you understand your options and find the best insurance coverage for your needs.