Depending on what you’re storing, it is usually a good idea to consider having your items insured. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you may already be covered. Ask your insurance agent. Once you put a lock on your storage unit, it becomes your responsibility. The storage operator is only responsible for reasonable care and they can’t be held responsible for things that they don’t know about. The storage operator has to in some way be negligent in order for any problem you have to become their responsibility. Insurance is a good idea.

Most self storage operations offer insurance. They might sell it on site or offer you a brochure or phone number where you can order it. You should not consider your items absolutely safe in storage anymore than you would consider them absolutely safe in your home. There could be a fire, hurricane, tornado, flood, or theft – thieves are able to break into bank safe deposit boxes. A thief who is determined can break into almost anything. The locks that are most secure from theft are the large round disc locks or cylinder locks that are inset into the door can’t easily be cut. There are some things you should not put in storage units like irreplaceable photos, family bibles, or anything that has a high emotional value to you. For insurance purposes, it’s important to have an inventory of what you have in your self storage unit. Take photos of the things you store and keep store receipts for the expensive items.

Where to go From Here

Your Contract covers some of the things that you may find in your self storage contract.   Site Contents gives you an overview of the site and a quick summary of each page.