When you place your belongings in a short-term storage unit, you’re trusting them to the storage company’s care. But trust alone isn’t enough, which is why you should always check that the firm has adequate insurances in place.
Is the protection provided included in the price, or an extra?
This is one of the first questions you should ask when checking out short-term storage options. Some companies offer protection as part of the price, while others have it as a bolt-on extra. It might be that the company offers to accept a limited level of liability up to a but can increase this for an extra cost if you need it.
Take the time to understand the situation and don’t feel pressured into buying additional protection on the spot if you already have cover elsewhere.
Protection against fire, theft and water damage
If protection is included in your short-term storage quote, it will likely cover the three main threats to your belongings, fire, theft and water damage. Find out if there are any exceptions to this and read the small prin!.
On a related note, you should always take the time to find out the security arrangements for your storage unit. Look out for high-tech features like individually alarmed units, video surveillance, key code access and number plate and face recognition. All of these features will help to keep your belongings safe, so that hopefully you never need to make a claim.
How much are your belongings worth?
Before signing up for short-term storage, it’s well worth sitting down to make a detailed list of your belongings. You need to work out the value of everything and keep a record of it. You also need to calculate the value based on the level of protection offered. Some insurers will settle claims on a ‘new for old’ basis, replacing unrepairable items with new ones, and other insurers settle on an indemnity ‘like for like’ basis which takes into account age, wear and tear and depreciation.
This is important, because if you under declare the value of your goods insurers will proportionally reduce the settlement and you will not be adequately compensated for your loss. It could be that the settlement falls significantly short of the true value of your possessions.
Valuable and hard-to-replace items
You should always tell the storage company about any items that are expensive or valuable. This includes items of sentimental value, that will be hard to replace. You should also mention anything that is particularly fragile or vulnerable to damage.
The short-term storage company may be able to offer you increased levels of protection or you can take out your own separate policy to cover these items.
In all likelihood, your possessions will be completely safe and sound in their storage unit. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and take responsibility for ensuring you have the right level of protection from the outset.
Kiwi Movers offers secure short-term storage and the option to protect your goods under their own insurance arrangements, and we’re very happy to discuss any particular needs you may have. Give us a call on 020 8877 9682* to find out more.
