
Self storage insurance in the UK is a must-have for anyone storing valuable items, whether it's for home or business use. It's a way to protect your belongings against theft, damage, or loss while they're in storage.
In the UK, self storage facilities are required by law to have insurance that covers the stored goods, but this insurance typically only covers the facility, not the contents. This means you'll need to take out your own insurance policy to ensure your belongings are fully protected.
You can take out a self storage insurance policy that covers your contents against a range of risks, including theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage. Some policies even offer additional benefits, such as public liability insurance or goods in transit insurance.
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Types of Storage and Coverage
Self-storage units come in various forms, each presenting unique challenges when it comes to insurance. Indoor facilities provide a more controlled environment, but insurance considerations still exist.
Some home contents insurance policies can provide cover for a limited time, but you must check with your insurer whether your policy includes protection for storage, or if they can offer cover as an optional extra. If you need to make a claim and you've not let your insurer know that your items are in storage, you might invalidate your policy.
Traditional self-storage units, such as climate-controlled units, require insurance that covers damage caused by malfunctioning climate control systems. Varying unit sizes also require insurance that's flexible to accommodate the different value ranges of stored goods within various unit sizes.
Here are some examples of storage units and their respective coverage needs:
- Indoor facilities: more controlled environment, but insurance considerations still exist
- Outdoor container units: unique challenges, requires specialized insurance
- Climate-controlled units: damage caused by malfunctioning climate control systems
- Varying unit sizes: insurance should be flexible to accommodate different value ranges
Container
Container storage is a flexible and secure option for tenants. However, it requires specialized insurance coverage to protect against unique risks.
Increased weatherproofing is essential to cover damage caused by rain, wind, hail, or snow, which can be a major concern for container units exposed to the natural elements.
Container units often house business inventory, high-value equipment, or sensitive documents, which demand adaptable insurance policies that can cover these specific needs.
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Traditional Units
Traditional Units offer a range of options, including climate-controlled units that are perfect for temperature-sensitive items.
For these units, it's essential to ensure the policy covers damage caused by malfunctioning climate control systems.
You'll also want to consider varying unit sizes, which means your insurance should be flexible to accommodate the different value ranges of stored goods within various unit sizes.
Keep in mind that not all household insurances will cover you while your possessions are in a self storage facility, so be sure to check the terms of your policy.
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Types of Coverage
Understanding the different types of coverage available for self-storage insurance is crucial in making an informed decision. You can choose from various options, including coverage for in-transit goods, which protects your items while they are being moved to or from the storage facility.
Some policies offer "New for Old" coverage, which ensures that in the event of a covered loss, your tenant receives the full replacement cost for their belongings, rather than based on depreciated value. This is particularly helpful for high-value items like electronics, artwork, or antiques.
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Event-specific coverage is also essential, as it ensures that your policy covers common risks like fire, theft, flood, vandalism, and weather damage. You can also opt for coverage for a wide range of items, including furniture, appliances, electronics, documents, and seasonal items.
Here are some examples of types of coverage:
- Basic coverage typically protects against fire, theft, and vandalism.
- Comprehensive coverage expands on basic coverage with additional protection for weather events, accidental damage, and more.
- High-value coverage is tailored for businesses or individuals storing valuables.
It's essential to understand the differences between coverage for personal belongings (home storage) and business equipment/inventory. You should also compare coverage levels for high-value items and ensure that your policy covers common risks like fire, theft, flood, vandalism, and weather damage.
What Is Self Storage Insurance?
Storage insurance is a specialist policy that can protect your belongings while they're in a storage unit. It covers risks like fire and theft, and even provides protection while you're transporting your possessions.
The right cover for you depends on the full replacement value of your stored goods. To get an estimate, add up the full replacement value of the items you'll be storing and call a local storage facility.
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You'll need to complete an inventory of all the items you put into storage, identifying any valuable items worth over £1,000. This will help you establish the full replacement value of your contents and ensure you're compensated in case of damage or loss.
The cost of self-storage insurance starts from £6 per week for £4,000 of cover, making it a great value for money option.
What Is?
Storage insurance is a specialist policy that can protect residential or business belongings while you keep them in a storage unit.
Our storage insurance policy covers your household goods and personal effects from your home, in transit and whilst in your chosen self storage facility, with no minimum time or premiums.
A storage insurance policy can provide you with protection against risks like fire and theft while you keep your possessions stored.
We always get back to our customers within 48 hrs and will do our best to deliver a smooth and professional service at all times.
Does Cover Items?
Store and Insure's policy covers a wide range of household goods and personal effects, including furniture, soft furnishings, and small electricals.
Some home contents insurance policies can provide cover for items in storage units, but it's essential to check with your insurer first. You might invalidate your policy if you don't let them know your items are in storage.
Items covered by Store and Insure's policy include books, media, bicycles, and sports equipment. You can also store clothing, shoes, and costume jewelry.
If you're moving house, your contents insurance might cover your possessions in transit between homes for up to 7 days. However, this could result in losing some comprehensive cover for high-value items.
A specialist policy, like Store and Insure's, can provide protection for residential or business belongings while they're in storage. This can cover risks like fire and theft.
To determine the right cover for you, calculate the full replacement value of the items you'll store with Store and Insure. This will help you get a quote for their Enhanced Liability Service, which starts from £6 per week for £4,000 of cover.
Here's a breakdown of some examples of items covered by Store and Insure's policy:
- Furniture
- Soft furnishings, curtains, and bedding
- Small electricals
- White goods and appliances
- Garden furniture
- Books
- Media
- Bicycles
- Sports equipment
- Clothing, shoes, and costume jewelry
- Craft or art supplies
- Musical instruments
Providing My Own Cover
If you're considering providing your own self storage cover, you'll need to check the terms of your household insurance policy to see if it includes protection for storage.
Not all household insurances will cover you while your possessions are in a self storage facility, so it's essential to verify that your policy includes self storage protection. You must also provide proof of your cover if you're not using the storage company's Enhanced Liability Service.
To be eligible, your policy must cover goods stored in a self storage facility and name the storage company you're storing at, along with the full postal address of the premises. It's your responsibility to keep your storage unit insurance documentation valid and up to date.
If you're unsure about your policy's coverage or need more information, you can call Big Yellow and Armadillo on 0800 783 4949 for assistance.
Here are the requirements for your own self storage cover:
- Must cover goods stored in a self storage facility
- Must name the storage company and provide the full postal address of the premises
Store and Insure
Store and Insure is a company that offers online storage insurance quotes, providing coverage for household goods and personal effects from your home, in transit, and while in your chosen self-storage facility, with no minimum time or premiums.
They aim to make their online storage insurance quote as easy and quick as possible, providing the best value and cover.
Their policy covers against risks like fire and theft while you keep your possessions stored, and it also provides protection while you're transporting belongings.
Store and Insure's Enhanced Liability Service starts from £6 per week for £4,000 of cover, and they will ask you to complete an inventory of all the items you put into storage, including any valuable items valued at over £1,000.
You can get a quote for contents protection for your goods through their Enhanced Liability Service, which will be based on the full replacement value of what you’re storing with them.
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Here are some benefits of insuring your stored domestic goods with Store and Insure:
- Competitive pricing backed by Lloyd's of London.
- Transit cover: Your goods are covered while you move them between your home and your storage unit.
- Instant cover: You can buy your self-store insurance from their website as soon as you want the cover to start.
- New for old replacement: In case of a claim, you will get brand new goods to replace your lost or damaged items.
Benefits and Importance
Self-storage insurance provides comprehensive coverage against a wider range of liabilities, including theft and vandalism, fire and explosion, and accidental damage.
Specialized storage container insurance can lead to considerable savings, with customers paying up to 50% less for comparable coverage.
Your home insurance policy likely won't cover your possessions while they're stored away from your home address and in a self-storage facility.
The majority of home insurance policies don't cover specific storage perils, making self-storage insurance a necessity.
Store and Insure offers a new for old policy, so if the worst happens and your stored domestic goods are damaged, stolen, or destroyed, you can replace your lost goods with brand new ones.
Getting a quote for self-store insurance can help you save on your storage bill and ensure you're protected in case of an emergency.
All customers must have contents protection for their goods while they're in a self-storage facility, as Big Yellow and Armadillo require, to ensure everyone's peace of mind.
Store and Insure provides competitive insurance for any self-storage facility in the UK with no minimum premiums or minimum period of time.
The storage industry's best practice is to require clients to insure their stored goods, so it's likely there'll be a condition in your contract saying you must insure the goods in your storage unit.
This means you can claim quickly and easily in the event of theft or a fire or other accident that damages or destroys your goods.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible if a storage unit gets broken into?
Typically, you are responsible for damages to your storage unit unless negligence can be proven on the part of the storage company. Consider investing in insurance to protect your belongings
Sources
- https://www.wigwamstoragemanagement.com/blogs/storage-container-insurance
- https://www.confused.com/home-insurance/guides/a-guide-to-storage-insurance
- https://www.storeandinsure.co.uk/Self-Storage-Insurance
- https://www.storageprotectors.com/service-areas/storage-insurance-uk/
- https://www.bigyellow.co.uk/contentsprotection/
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