Putting your things into storage?
Compare home insurance policies with storage cover to make sure your valuables are protected.

Last updated: 12/10/2020 | Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

What is storage insurance?

Whether you’re moving house or simply looking for a place to store bulky excess possessions, you may need to use a storage unit. Storage insurance helps guard against damages and theft of your belongings whilst they’re in the unit, and can be purchased individually or as part of a standard home insurance policy.

In This Guide:

Do I need storage insurance?

Yes; if, for whatever reason, you are keeping items in a storage unit, then you need storage insurance. In fact, most storage companies will ask you to prove you have a valid policy before they will agree to look after your belongings.

Am I covered already by my house insurance policy?

Some home insurance contents policies will cover items even when they’re not at home. For example, when moving house, it is common for policies to cover your furniture and personal items whilst they’re in transit.

If a move is delayed and your items need to be temporarily stored, it’s likely that your items will be automatically covered for a period of up to seven days as standard. Any longer and you’ll need to get separate storage insurance.

If you have items in long-term storage, then they probably aren’t covered by you house insurance policy. If it is covered, however, it will only be for a certain amount per claim, so it’s worth checking the fine print on your current policy to make sure your stuff is safe.

Will I automatically be covered by the storage company’s insurance policy?

No. Their insurance policy will only protect their liability, not your actual belongings. This means they are covered in the event that they are negligent with your goods.

What should I look for in a storage insurance policy?

Insuring against other risks, such as fires, floods, subsidence, storms, sprinkler damage and vandalism, is the responsibility of you, the owner, so a good insurance policy will account for these more common events. If you are storing clothes or soft furnishings, it is worth considering additional protection for moth and vermin damage.

Your policy may also include stipulations on how you store your items – for example, they may require a specific type of lock, or that you keep your possessions in waterproof containers. It’s very important that you follow these rules, because it may invalidate your insurance if you don’t.

Will storage insurance cover my car or motorbike?

Probably not. Most storage insurance policies aren’t worth enough to cover the cost of a vehicle, which is why you need separate car insurance.

If your vehicle isn’t on the road and is simply gathering dust, you can avoid paying insurance by giving a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). But it’s worth noting that this mean it’s not covered in the event of fire, theft vandalism or other damage.

How can I get storage insurance?

You might find that the storage company will offer you an insurance policy of their own – if it’s a good deal then this is definitely the easier option. But it’s always good to look around before signing anything, just in case.

Check out our comparison tool to find the best specialist storage insurance policy for your needs.

You can also compare home insurance contents cover policies to find one that includes storage cover for when you need it most.