Storage Insurance

Storage insurance is specialist cover designed to protect your belongings when they’re stored away from your property. Whether you’re moving house, decluttering, or heading off on a long holiday, self storage has become a popular solution for keeping our stuff safe. But here’s the thing: Whilst your belongings might be tucked away in a storage unit, they’re not necessarily protected if something goes wrong.

That’s where storage insurance comes in. Let’s break down everything you need to know about keeping your stored items covered.

What is storage insurance?

Storage insurance is specialist insurance designed to protect your belongings whilst they’re kept in a self-storage unit or storage facility. Unlike your standard home insurance policy, which typically covers items within your property, storage insurance specifically covers possessions stored away from your home.

Think of it as a safety net for when your belongings are living elsewhere temporarily, or not so temporarily. Whether you’ve got furniture stored whilst moving house, seasonal items tucked away, or business goods in long-term storage, this type of insurance cover ensures you’re not left out of pocket if something happens to your stored items.

Most self storage insurance policies work similarly to contents insurance, covering your belongings against risks like fire, theft, flood, and other perils. The key difference? They’re tailored specifically for the unique risks that come with storing your stuff in a self-storage facility.

What does storage insurance cover?

A typical storage insurance policy protects your stored belongings, though the exact level of cover varies between insurance providers. Here’s what you can expect:

What items are typically covered

Most storage insurance policies cover a wide range of personal belongings, including:

• Household items: Furniture, carpets, curtains, and home appliances like cookers and electronic equipment
• Personal possessions: Clothing, books, and general household contents
• Electronics: Computer equipment, phones, and other electronic devices
• Documents: Important papers, deeds, and certificates (usually up to a set limit)
• Collections: Stamp and coin collections with proof of ownership
• Tools and equipment: Machinery, tools, and business equipment (with appropriate business cover)
• Valuables: Jewellery and art, though often with coverage limits unless specifically declared

Loss or damage coverage in the event of

Your stored items are typically protected against:

What’s usually covered	What’s usually not covered
Fire and explosion	Damage from poor storage or inadequate packaging
Natural disasters (lightning, earthquake, storm, flood, weight of snow)	Items that are inherently flammable or dangerous
Water damage from burst pipes or leaking water tanks	High-value items like jewellery or art (unless declared)
Theft and burglary with evidence of forced entry	Business goods (unless you have business storage cover)
Impact damage from falling trees, vehicle collisions, or aircraft	Damage from subsidence or structural building issues
Malicious acts including vandalism, riots, and civil disturbances	Cash, securities, or perishable goods

It’s crucial to check the exclusions in any storage insurance policy before you buy, as coverage can vary significantly between insurance providers. When in doubt, ask your insurer directly about specific items or scenarios.

Does my home insurance cover my contents in storage?

This is where things get a bit tricky. Most standard home insurance policies provide very limited coverage for items stored away from your home.

Your typical contents insurance might offer some protection for belongings temporarily removed from your home, but we’re talking temporarily. Many home insurance policies only cover items in storage for a short period, often just 30 to 60 days, and usually only whilst you’re moving house.

Even when there is some coverage, it’s often limited to a small percentage of your total contents sum insured, sometimes as little as 10%. So if you’ve got thousands of pounds worth of furniture and belongings in self storage, your home insurance is unlikely to provide adequate protection.

Does my contents insurance cover my items in storage units?

Your contents insurance policy might provide some cover, but don’t count on it for long-term storage situations. Most contents insurance policies are designed to protect belongings within your home, with only minimal coverage extending to items stored elsewhere.

If you’re storing items whilst moving to a new property, some contents insurance policies will cover your belongings for up to 7 days whilst they’re in storage, but only if you already have active cover in place for your new address.

For anything beyond short-term storage during a house move, you’ll likely need a separate storage insurance policy or storage unit insurance to ensure proper protection.

How much does storage insurance cost?

Storage insurance is generally quite affordable, especially considering the protection it provides. According to Admiral’s Yard, basic coverage for contents valued up to £2,000 can start from as little as £3 to £5 per week (roughly £13 to £21 per month). The cost goes up from there depending on several factors that influence your premium:

• The value of items you’re storing
• The unit sizes you’re using
• The level of cover you choose
• The location and security measures of your storage facility
• The length of time you’re storing items

Many storage companies offer their own insurance products, which can be convenient but aren’t always the most cost-effective option. Shopping around for an insurance quote from different insurance providers often reveals better deals.

When calculating costs, consider the replacement value of everything you’re storing. It’s better to slightly overestimate than find yourself underinsured when you need to make a claim.

Do I need storage insurance?

Whether you need storage insurance depends on what you’re storing and for how long. Here are some scenarios where storage insurance is definitely worth considering:

Long-term storage

If you’re storing belongings for months or years, your home insurance won’t provide adequate cover.

Valuable items

Storing furniture, home appliances, electronics, or other expensive belongings? The cost of replacement makes insurance a no-brainer.

Business storage

If you’re storing business goods, you’ll likely need specialist business storage insurance, as personal policies won’t cover commercial items.

Climate-controlled units

Ironically, the better your storage facility, the more valuable your stored items are likely to be, making insurance even more important.

Moving house 

Even for short-term storage during a move, specialist storage insurance can provide better cover than relying on your home insurance policies.

Do I have to purchase storage insurance with a storage company?

No, you don’t have to buy storage insurance from your storage provider, though many storage companies will try to sell you their own policy. Whilst this can be convenient, sorted in one go, it’s not always the best deal.

Storage companies often partner with specific insurance providers or underwriters, which can limit your options. Shopping around independently often reveals:

• Better coverage options
• More competitive pricing
• Policies better tailored to your specific needs
• Better customer service from dedicated insurance providers

That said, some self-storage facilities require proof of insurance cover before you can rent a unit. Whether you buy through them or independently, you’ll need to show you’ve got adequate cover in place.

Are there any storage unit requirements for storage insurance?

Most insurance providers do have requirements about the type of storage facility and security measures in place. Common requirements include:

• Security standards: Your storage facility should have proper security measures like CCTV, alarm systems, and controlled access.
• Building standards: The facility should be properly constructed and maintained, with adequate fire prevention systems.
• Climate control: For certain items, insurers might require climate-controlled units to prevent damage from humidity or temperature fluctuations.
• Unit sizes and accessibility: Some policies have restrictions based on unit sizes or how frequently you access your storage unit.
• Prohibited items: Most policies won’t cover certain items like flammable materials, perishable goods, or living things (obviously).

Always check with your insurance provider about their specific requirements before signing up for a self-storage unit.

How to choose the right storage insurance

Choosing the right storage insurance policy requires a bit of homework. Here’s what to consider:

• Coverage amount: Calculate the total replacement value of everything you’re storing. Include furniture, electronics, clothing, and any other belongings.
• Policy cover details: Read the fine print. What’s covered, what’s excluded, and what are the claim limits?
• Insurance provider reputation: Check if they’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and look up their firm reference number.
• Claim process: How easy is it to make a claim? What documentation do you need?
• Premium costs: Compare quotes from multiple providers, but don’t just go for the cheapest but also consider the level of cover too.
• Flexibility: Can you easily adjust your sum insured if you store more or fewer items?
• Duration: Some policies are better for short-term storage, others for long-term arrangements.

Bottom line

Storage insurance might not be the most exciting purchase you’ll ever make, but it’s definitely one of the more sensible ones. Whether you’re storing a few boxes whilst moving house or keeping a houseful of furniture in long-term storage, having proper insurance cover protects you from potentially costly surprises.

Your home insurance probably won’t cut it for anything beyond very short-term storage, and the insurance offered by storage companies isn’t always your best option. Take the time to shop around, compare policies, and choose coverage that actually matches what you’re storing and how long you’re storing it.

Remember, the cost of storage insurance is typically a fraction of what you’d pay to replace everything if something went wrong. That’s a trade-off that makes sense any day of the week.

Storage insurance FAQs