_04042022115136398.png)
Storage Insurance: Do You Need It?
Although storage facilities often provide security features (such as fencing, lighting, gates, and cameras) to help keep stored items safe and secure, storage customers are ultimately responsible for the safety of their belongings in storage. Besides theft, it is important to be mindful of other potential risks such as fires, floods, storms, other natural disasters, and the damage they can cause to stored goods.
People often think that self storage facilities insure items that their customers store there. But, this is not true. Many storage facilities require that their customers purchase self storage insurance for their stored items. Others, like San Clemente Self Storage, give you the option of either providing your own insurance (such as through your homeowner's or renter's insurance) or purchasing self storage insurance. This means, that if something were to happen to your stored belongings, you or your insurance company would be responsible but not the storage facility.
Before signing up for storage insurance and moving your items into storage, it is a good idea for you to consult with your insurance agent. It’s possible that your homeowner's or renter's policy covers items in your self storage unit. Sometimes your homeowner's or renter's insurance will require a small additional premium to cover the items. There are other insurance companies that offer insurance specifically for self storage customers. You may find that the self storage insurance is reasonably priced and offers a lower deductible than your homeowner's or renter's insurance. In any case, you should review all options carefully before signing your rental agreement.If you still aren’t sure whether to purchase self storage insurance for your items, ask yourself the following questions:
Q #1: What does my current insurance policy already cover?
You might find that the items in your self storage unit are covered by your existing insurance policies (homeowner's, renter's, automobile, boat, umbrella, etc.).
Q #2: What is the cost of a separate self storage insurance policy and what does it cover?
For example, does the policy cover natural disasters?
Q #3: What happens if an accident or damage occurs while in storage?
Under what circumstances will your items be covered by your existing insurance policy or by a separately purchased self storage insurance policy? Remember, the self storage facility does not have insurance on your stored items.
Q #4: What is the deductible?
Q #5: When and why will the policy need to be updated?
Does it need to be updated when adding or removing items?
Remember, too, to keep a detailed list of your stored items along with their value handy in case of emergencies.
In addition to making a list of the items you put in storage, take photographs of them.The list and photos would be helpful in case you ever need to make an insurance claim. You should especially take photos of all large or valuable items you are storing.
Keep the photographs at home or other off-site location, not in your storage unit.Now that you are all set with insurance, you are ready to take the next step toward renting a storage unit. Just click on the Storage Tip entitled "Rental Process" which will guide you through the six steps of the self storage rental process. If you have any questions, please give San Clemente Self Storage a call at 949-366-1133 and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
San Clemente Self Storage
170 Avenida La Pata
San Clemente, CA 92673
949-366-1133