Should you insure stored property?
When you are relocating, you may overestimate the amount of the stuff that you have. Or maybe you have just accumulated a lot of possession over the years. Either way, the result is the same – you have no room in your home for all of your belongings. That’s why the storage units come to the scene. Renting a storage space is the best way to keep your things safe. You may wonder should you insure stored property. That is always a good recommendation, and if you keep reading, you can find out why.
First of all – find the storage unit that suits your needs
When you are looking for the storage unit, you need to consider a lot of things. The main goal here is to find the place where you can put your things for the short or the long time for safe keeping. Also, you need to decide what type of storage will you require based on the content of your things.
Here are some things to consider when choosing an ideal storage unit:
- How long will you need a storage unit – Determine will you require to store your belongings for a long or a shorter period of time.
- What size of storage do you need – Choosing the right size of the storage unit can save you from unnecessary costs.
- Storage costs – Always choose the company that provides fix rates, and pay attention to the monthly rates.
- Safety of the storage unit – The whole point of renting the storage unit is that your belongings are safe. Storage units that have cameras coverage, security alarms, and a guard on the spot are a way to go.
- Storage service – If you need a storage during your relocation, the best option is to purchase additional storage services from your moving company. It is a much safer option than to rent a storage unit on your own. If you do, do a thorough research and only choose a reliable storage facility.
- Type of storage unit – If you have delicate items that are sensitive to temperature and humidity, then the common storage unit won’t suffice. In this case, you will need a climate control storage unit in order to keep your stuff from damages.
Should you insure stored property?
The need for a storage unit may come from all variety of reasons. When people are relocating, getting a divorce, in the case of the natural disaster, eviction or having a new family member. Storage units are a great way to keep their belongings safe while they don’t find the long-term solution. So the point of the storage unit is to ensure the safekeeping of your belongings. That is why using warehouse Japan that is safe is crucial.
On the other hand, storage units aren’t immune to disasters. In those cases, your property may be ruined, and you won’t get any compensation. That is why it’s important to secure your property with storage unit insurance.
Is it a good idea to insure stored property with the storage facility?
Many reliable storages will require proof of insurance before renting out a unit. Usually, they will offer you the possibility to purchase the insurance with them. In addition to rental fees, storage companies make a big profit on these policies, which means that in their interests to sell as many insurance policies as they can.
It is not a bad idea to purchase insurance with the storage facility, but you must be careful and read the contract thoroughly.
These policies may exclude a number of items and conditions from any coverage at all.
Some of them are:
- Damages by pests – Damages caused by insect and rodents are often excluded from coverage. Be sure to ask storage facility management how they cope with pests, and does their insurance policy covers it.
- Mysteriously missing items – If any items from your storage are missing and there is no physical evidence of burglary, these items may be marked as “mysteriously disappeared”. That means that you won’t get any coverage for them.
- Valuable items – There is a big chance that expensive items and sensitive documents won’t be in your insurance policy that storage facility is providing. When you have valuable belongings, it is very important to insure stored property. Since some items are irreplaceable, instead of renting a storage unit, you may want to explore the options for exhibition cargo.
- Motor vehicles – In most cases, the insurance policies by storage companies exclude motor vehicles from coverage. That means that you have to purchase separate policies for each vehicle that you want to store. If you have vehicle insurance, be sure to check your documentation.
Make sure to insure stored property properly
As you can see above, there are many items that may be excluded from the insurance policy. Still, that is not a reason to reject the offer for insurance by the storage facility. Reputable companies may even offer you more coverage than the third-party. Some may not. Since all the companies have different business politic, you need to inform yourself before you insure stored property.
When you are considering the insurance offer from the storage facility
- Research the company
- Ask what the policy cover
- Ask what the insurance doesn’t cover
- Find out were there any burglaries to the storage units and have they deal with pests problems
- If you have valuable items that you wish to store, ask will the insurance cover them
- Read the policy very carefully and pay attention to the fine print
When you want to insure stored property with the third-party
If you don’t wish to purchase the insurance from the storage facility, make sure that insurance that you get from the third-party covers:
- The disasters that may occur (flood, tornados, earthquakes, fire, hurricanes, leaking water, hail, smoke, etc.)
- Burglary
- Vandalism
- Damages caused by the pests infestations
- Expensive items, artwork, jewelry, and sensitive documents if you are storing any of them
- Motor vehicles that have no auto insurance