Types of Insurance: Is Your Self Storage Unit Covered?

Does home or renters insurance cover storage units? It’s a common question but one without a common answer.

While most house and rental insurance will protect your items from damage inside your home, there are often limitations and exceptions to the cover given to your possessions after they cross the threshold into the big wide world. Ultimately, the exact details of what is and isn’t covered can vary depending on your insurance policy and provider.

Whether you’re moving, renovating or just need some extra space it’s important to know how your possessions are protected when they’re not in your home. In this post, we’ll break down the different types of insurance and whether they cover items kept in self storage, helping you find the best way to keep your belongings safe.

Renters Insurance

Renters insurance protects tenants by covering personal belongings against risks such as theft, fire and water damage within rented accommodation. This type of insurance is particularly valuable for renters as it often comes with liability cover, which can protect your deposit if you accidentally damage your landlord’s property, such as a broken window or TV.

If your home becomes uninhabitable following an unexpected event, such as a burst water pipe, then your renters insurance may also cover the cost of temporary accommodation and self storage — making it even more valuable.

Pro Tip: Permanent fixtures (eg. the roof, walls and windows) are generally not considered the tenant’s responsibility. Typically, landlords have their own building insurance to cover structural damages, but this may not cover damages caused by the tenant.

Does renters insurance cover items in self storage?

Quick Answer: Renters insurance may provide limited cover to items kept in self storage, depending on the circumstances.

While renters insurance primarily covers personal belongings within your rented property, some policies extend coverage to items stored in self storage units — but usually under specific conditions and for a limited time.

For example, if a burst pipe has flooded the house you’re renting, it’s reasonable to expect that you’ll need to store some or all of your belongings until the pipe has been fixed and the property has dried out. However, the circumstances under which your items will be covered could vary, as could the insurance value for individual items and how long they can be kept in storage.

This means that while some items might be covered (for a limited time), high-value belongings may not be fully protected. If in doubt, speak to your insurance provider to clarify anything you’re unsure of and whether your renters insurance is suitable for storage units.

Home Insurance

When it comes to protecting your home and everything in it, choosing the right insurance is as much about having peace of mind as it is about making good financial decisions. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all policy and home insurance can often be tailored to suit your needs.

Generally speaking, there are three different types of home insurance, including:

• Building Insurance: Covers the structure of your home, including the walls, roofs and other permanent fixtures.
• Contents Insurance: Protects the belongings within your home against theft, loss and accidental damage.
• Combined Insurance: This policy includes both building and contents insurance, offering comprehensive coverage for the structure and contents of your home.

Does home insurance cover items in self storage?

Quick Answer: Home insurance will sometimes extend to items kept in self storage units, but there are usually some limitations.

Standard home insurance policies don’t usually cover anything that’s been lost or damaged outside of your home, unless you’ve opted for additional coverage such as ‘Away from Home’ cover. If included, this add-on may protect your items in storage but usually only for a limited time (often one to two weeks) and under specific conditions.

To ensure your stored items are protected, it’s important to check the details of your policy and speak to your insurance provider if there’s anything you’re unsure of.

Business Insurance

Business insurance is a financial safety net designed to protect companies from various risks, ensuring their operations continue running smoothly in the wake of unforeseen events. Commercial policies can vary greatly and can be tailored to suit the different needs of different businesses.

Typical coverage may include:

• Property Insurance: Protects your business premises and contents against fire, water, theft and vandalism. This includes buildings, office equipment and stock.
• Liability Insurance: This covers legal fees and compensation costs if your business is held liable for injury or property damage caused to others. This often includes public liability insurance and product liability insurance.
• Business Interruption Insurance: Provides coverage for lost income and operational expenses if your business is temporarily unable to operate due to an insured event, such as a fire or natural disaster.
• Employers’ Liability Insurance: Required by law if you have employees, this covers claims from employees who are injured or fall ill as a result of their work.

Does business insurance cover items in self storage?

Quick Answer: While business insurance can be very comprehensive, it’s unlikely to cover items kept in storage.

While business insurance provides extensive cover for various aspects of your operations, it’s unlikely to extend to items kept in self storage units, unless specifically stated in the policy.

If you’re a business owner looking to keep your stock or equipment in a self storage unit, you’ll most likely need self storage business insurance. For more information on this type of insurance, what it covers and how to find the best policy, take a look at our guide on Self Storage Business Insurance.

Self Storage Insurance

Self storage insurance is specifically designed to cover items stored in self storage units, providing peace of mind that your belongings are protected against various risks while away from home, such as:

• Theft: Ensures you’re compensated if your belongings are stolen from the storage unit.
• Fire & Smoke: Covers damage to your items caused by fire or smoke.
• Water: Covers water damage caused by leaks, floods, sprinklers and burst pipes.
• Vandalism: Protects your items against deliberate criminal damage.
• Natural Disasters: Severe storms, earthquakes and hurricanes can all pose risks to the contents of your storage unit.
• Pests: Most policies also cover damage caused by pests, such as mice and moths.

This type of insurance is essential for both individuals and businesses who use storage units to keep their valuables safe.

Does self storage insurance cover items in self storage?

Quick Answer: Yes!

It goes without saying, but self storage insurance does indeed cover your belongings kept in self storage. This type of insurance is specifically designed to cater to the unique risks associated with storing items away from your home. However, it’s important to note that the specific coverage and limits can vary depending on your insurance provider and policy.

Always review the terms and conditions carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. As some policies might have exclusions or limitations, it’s important to be fully informed about your coverage. If you’re looking for more information about self storage insurance, what it does and doesn’t cover and how to find the best policy, take a look at our guide, Self Storage Insurance: Everything You Need to Know.