If you are putting furniture, business stock, tools or personal belongings into self storage, one question is easy to overlook: are the contents actually insured while they are there? A secure storage facility can reduce risk, but security and insurance are two different things. CCTV, strong doors and controlled access help protect your belongings; insurance is the financial protection you arrange in case something still goes wrong.
At Morris Safe Storage Solutions, customers are responsible for arranging suitable cover for the contents of their unit. We do not provide insurance as part of the monthly storage price. That does not necessarily mean you need to buy a separate policy, because some home or business insurance policies may already include cover for goods kept in recognised self storage. The important thing is to check before you move anything in.
Is Storage Insurance Compulsory?
There is no single answer that applies to every storage agreement or insurance policy. What matters is the contract you have with your storage provider and the cover you already hold. Under the Morris Safe Storage Solutions terms and conditions, the customer is responsible for securing and insuring the contents of the unit. We therefore strongly recommend arranging appropriate cover before storing valuable belongings.
If you already have home contents insurance, start by asking your insurer whether items stored away from your home are covered. Some policies include temporary or off-site storage, while others exclude it or impose limits. Business owners should make the same check with their commercial insurer because household cover will not normally apply to business stock, tools or equipment.
What Should Storage Insurance Cover?
Policies vary, so it is important to read the actual terms rather than assuming every storage policy offers the same protection. Typical risks that specialist self storage insurance may cover can include fire, theft following forcible entry, storm, flood and certain forms of accidental or malicious damage. Limits, exclusions and excesses vary by provider.
The most important figure is the sum insured — the total value of the belongings you are putting into storage. Underestimating that figure can leave you underinsured. It is worth making a simple inventory before moving in, particularly for furniture, electronics, tools, bicycles, collections or business stock.
Check Your Existing Insurance First
Before buying another policy, contact your current insurer. Ask specifically whether your belongings remain covered while kept in a self storage unit at a recognised storage facility. It is useful to confirm:
- whether off-site self storage is covered at all;
- the maximum amount the insurer will cover;
- how long the cover lasts;
- whether particular categories of item have lower limits;
- whether theft requires evidence of forcible entry; and
- whether moving the items to and from storage is covered.
If your existing policy gives you suitable cover, there may be no reason to duplicate it. If it does not, specialist self storage insurance can provide a more straightforward alternative.
Specialist Self Storage Insurance
Morris Safe Storage Solutions is an approved facility with Insurastore, a specialist provider of insurance for goods kept in recognised self storage facilities. Insurastore offers online quotations for personal and business goods, with the exact premium depending on the value of the goods, the period of cover and the policy terms selected.
If you would like to see the current options, you can get an insurance quote from Insurastore. The policy is arranged directly between you and the insurance provider, so you should read the current policy wording and make sure the cover is suitable for what you plan to store.
Does a Secure Facility Mean Insurance Is Unnecessary?
No. Good site security and insurance serve different purposes. At our Newmarket facility we use 24/7 CCTV and secure storage units, and our site is designed to give customers confidence in where their possessions are kept. Those measures reduce risk, but no storage provider can promise that loss or damage is impossible.
Insurance is there for the events you hope never happen. The same principle applies at home: locking your doors does not make contents insurance pointless. The sensible approach is to combine good physical security with appropriate financial protection.
How Much Cover Do I Need?
A quick room-by-room inventory is usually the easiest way to estimate the value. Do not only count the obvious expensive items. Ten or twenty ordinary boxes can contain a surprisingly high replacement value once clothes, kitchenware, books, small electronics and personal belongings are added together.
For business storage, include the replacement value of stock, tools, equipment and other commercial property you intend to store. If values change significantly while you rent the unit, check whether your insurer needs the sum insured to be updated.
What Should I Avoid Storing?
Insurance does not make prohibited or unsuitable goods acceptable. Storage agreements normally restrict items such as illegal goods, perishable items, hazardous materials and anything likely to attract vermin or cause damage. Always check the storage provider's rules before moving unusual items into a unit. Our current restrictions are set out in our terms and conditions.
Insurance Is Only Part of Protecting Your Belongings
There are a few simple steps that help protect stored goods regardless of the policy you choose. Use sturdy boxes, keep delicate items off the floor where practical, avoid packing anything damp, label boxes clearly and keep a basic inventory. Photographs of higher-value items can also be useful for your own records.
Choosing the right unit matters too. Our storage unit sizes and prices page shows the options currently available in Newmarket, including secure shipping containers and roller-shutter units. If you are unsure what size you need, Tony or Callum can help you work it out before you book.
So, Do You Need Insurance for a Storage Unit?
You should make sure your stored belongings are adequately insured. Whether that means extending an existing home or business policy or arranging specialist self storage insurance depends on your circumstances and the cover you already have.
The key is not to assume. Check your policy, value what you are storing and arrange any additional cover you need before your belongings go into storage. Morris Safe Storage Solutions is an approved Insurastore facility, so customers who need specialist cover have an online option available.
If you are looking for self storage in Newmarket and would like to discuss unit sizes, availability or how the storage process works, get in touch with Tony and Callum. For insurance-specific questions, always check directly with your insurer or insurance provider.