8 Most Overlooked Self Storage Risks & How to Prevent Them

Self storage insurance facilities provide a convenient solution for individuals and businesses to store their belongings; there are potential risks associated with this industry that can catch both owners and tenants off guard.

In this article, we will shed light on the eight most commonly overlooked self-storage risks and offer practical tips on how to prevent them. By proactively understanding and addressing these risks, you can ensure a safer and more secure storage experience for yourself or your clients.

From security concerns to environmental hazards, we'll cover a range of potential pitfalls that may arise when utilizing self-storage units. By implementing the preventive measures we recommend, you can minimize the likelihood of encountering these risks and maximize the protection of your valuable possessions.

Whether you're a self-storage facility owner, a tenant, or someone considering renting a storage unit, it's crucial to know the self storage risks and how to prevent them. This information will help you in making an informed decision and avoid costly mistakes. 

Let's dive in and uncover the hidden risks of self-storage. 

Underestimating the value of the items they keep and having insufficient insurance are two of the most frequent mistakes self-storage tenants make. It is essential to carefully assess the worth of your possessions and speak with your insurance provider to ensure you have enough coverage for probable loss or damage to avoid this risk.

Make a list of everything you have stored, including its estimated value, and, to fill in any coverage gaps, think about purchasing specialized storage insurance or adding a storage rider to your current policy.

Even though most self storage facilities have security systems in place, some renters could ignore other security precautions that could improve the protection of their stored items. Further security measures must be taken beyond the facility's basic security measures. 

Choose a strong lock like a disc or cylinder lock, which offers better protection against cutting or tampering than a padlock. Moreover, pick a location with video surveillance, ideally with high-resolution cameras covering important regions. 

Additionally, individual alarms for each unit can add an additional degree of security by warning personnel or the appropriate authorities in the event of unauthorized entry attempts.

Sensitive goods, like electronics, hardwood furniture, photos, and vital papers, may suffer damage if climate control problems are not addressed. 

Extreme temperatures, humidity, or moisture can lead to damage in the form of warping, mold growth, corrosion, or other processes. Choose a storage unit with climate control to avoid this risk. Your possessions are safeguarded by these devices, which maintain constant temperatures and humidity levels from the damaging effects of climatic changes. Check out the other tips for storing fragile items in a storage unit.

Make sure to inquire about the facility's climate control systems and check the weather frequently to ensure they operate properly.

Infestations that harm your stored goods can result from improper pest control techniques being neglected. Pests like termites, rats, or insects can ruin electronics, furniture, fabrics, documents, and other items. 

Select a self storage unit that offers you strong pest control to reduce this danger. Ask them about their precautions, such as routine inspections, insect traps or baits, and treatment procedures.

Use sturdy boxes or sealed plastic containers to pack your belongings so that pests will be unable to access them easily.

It's critical to take precautions to lessen the risk of fire because it poses a serious risk to the stored goods. Choose a storage facility with smoke detectors that promptly notify staff or emergency services and fire suppression equipment, such as sprinklers or extinguishers. 

Make sure that the building complies with all fire safety laws and guidelines, including regular fire safety equipment maintenance and inspections. 

Also, keeping flammable or combustible items like gasoline, propane tanks, or fireworks out of storage is crucial because they increase the risk of a fire.

A self storage that doesn't receive routine maintenance can put your stored items in danger in a number of ways. Water damage can be caused by leaky walls or roofs, and the structural integrity of the storage container may be jeopardized by structural problems. 

In addition, your possessions may be exposed to theft or unauthorized access due to broken locks or ineffective access control systems. Choose a storage unit that is renowned for its dedication to consistent maintenance and care to eliminate these hazards. 

During your visit, keep an eye out for indications of adequate maintenance, such as clean facilities, functional security measures, and attentive employees who immediately handle maintenance issues.

It might be dangerous and difficult to access or find your things at the storage facility if there is not enough lighting, especially at night or in dimly lit regions. 

Falls and accidents are also more likely to occur in areas with poor lighting. Examine the lighting setup throughout the facility when choosing a self-storage option. For renters' clear visibility, there should be enough illumination in the halls, in the communal spaces, and around the storage units. 

Bring any places with poor illumination to the facility management's attention right away for immediate repair.

Some self storage insurance facilities may put access limitations in place, making it harder for you to get your belongings out when you need them. These limitations may consist of restricted access times; rigorous rules applied on holidays or weekends, or notification required before entering your storage unit. 

Before renting a unit, find out the facility's access rules to avoid difficulty or annoyance. Make sure the access times suit your needs and take into account any potential limits or constraints that might interfere with your ability to access your stuff conveniently.

You can have the option to retrieve or keep your possessions as needed by selecting a facility with adaptable access rules.

Awareness of and addressing the often overlooked risks associated with self-storage is crucial for facility owners and tenants. Taking proactive steps can significantly minimize the chances of encountering these risks and ensure a safer storage experience.

It's important to consider factors such as insurance coverage, security measures, climate control, pest control, fire hazards, regular maintenance, adequate lighting, and unforeseen access restrictions to prevent these risks. Carefully assess the value of your belongings and ensure you have sufficient insurance coverage. 

For comprehensive self-storage and storage container insurance, consider Discount Storage Insurance. We provide reliable coverage tailored to the unique needs of self-storage tenants. By taking these preventive measures and choosing the right insurance provider, you can enjoy peace of mind and protect your valuable possessions effectively.