Natural Disasters: Is My Storage Unit Covered?

As more people turn to self-storage to increase their living space, declutter, or store items temporarily during a move, the question of whether the items are insured against natural disasters will come up. 

Does storage insurance cover natural disasters? Whenever you pay for insurance, you must understand the finer points of what you are covered for. 

This article explores what your insurance does and doesn’t cover and how to ensure you are covered for natural disasters. 

What is Storage Unit Insurance?

Storage insurance is a specialised policy that covers items stored off-site against loss or damage, whether you’re using a storage unit during a move, home renovation, or for long-term decluttering.

Many storage insurance companies offer policies directly, but you can also go through a third-party separate from the storage company. The key types of coverage typically included are protection against theft, fire, water damage, and other potential perils that could threaten your stored possessions.

Reviewing the details of any storage insurance policy to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered is crucial. 

Many policies have exclusions for certain types of damage, such as flooding or earthquakes, so understanding the scope of coverage will help you determine if you are adequately insured when using storage facilities.  

Natural Disasters and Storage Insurance: What’s Covered and What’s Not

Most storage insurance policies cover damage from strong winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning. However, coverage for natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes, and mould/mildew is often excluded. 

If your storage unit is impacted by a flood or earthquake, the resulting damage to your belongings may not be reimbursed under the standard storage insurance policy.

Always review any storage insurance policy details to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. Many policies have exclusions or limitations regarding natural disaster risks. For example, the policy may only provide coverage up to a specific dollar amount or have a higher deductible for natural disaster-related claims.

If you’re storing valuable or irreplaceable items, it may be worth considering supplemental coverage beyond the basic storage insurance policy. This could include adding a rider to your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy to increase the off-premises coverage limits. 

Alternatively, you may be able to purchase a standalone natural disaster insurance policy specifically for your stored belongings.

Supplementing Storage Insurance

Supplementing your dedicated storage insurance with coverage from your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy is a great way to ensure you are adequately covered.

Most home and contents policies include coverage for items stored during a move. Still, you should also ensure you are covered for other storage situations, such as decluttering or storing an inheritance. 

If your homeowner’s insurance policy falls short, you can always consider increasing your off-premises coverage. Of course, you will want to keep your premiums within your budget. 

Another option is a scheduled property endorsement, which provides additional coverage for higher-value items like art, jewellery, and antiques. You will be required to get professional appraisals of the items, but the greater level of protection is excellent for extra peace of mind. 

Beyond insurance, you should also take proactive steps to safeguard your stored belongings. These steps— such as choosing a secure facility, using waterproof containers, and maintaining a detailed inventory—can help minimise the risk of loss or damage, even if you do experience a natural disaster.

Are You Looking for Safe, Secure, Storage

While insurance is essential for protecting you against financial loss from a natural disaster, sturdy storage options can also help keep your items secure. 

1800 We Store It offers unbeatable security in storage with steel shipping containers that can protect furniture, vehicles, documents, or whatever else you need to place in storage from theft and the elements.

Talk to us today about your storage needs. Our units can be delivered to your door, stored on-site, or transported back to one of our secure storage facilities. With eight storage locations around the greater Melbourne area, we are sure to have storage options that are conveniently located.