When you decide to store your belongings in a self storage unit in the UK, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Do I need self storage insurance?”. While most storage facilities offer secure, well-managed environments, unexpected risks —like floods or leaks from neighbouring units — can still occur. These unpredictable events highlight the importance of having self storage insurance to protect your items.
When it comes to self storage insurance UK providers cover a range of potential risks, from fire and theft to water damage, ensuring that your belongings are protected against unforeseen circumstances. Whether you’re storing valuable items or just need additional space for household overflow, having the right level of coverage is crucial to ensuring your peace of mind.
In this blog, we’ll explain what self storage insurance is, the types of coverage available, factors to consider when choosing insurance, and the limitations of standard policies. We’ll also discuss the coverage options available at Wigwam to help you make an informed decision about protecting your items.
What Is Self Storage Insurance?
Self storage insurance is a specific type of cover designed to protect your belongings while they’re stored off-site, typically in a self storage unit. It provides financial protection against a range of risks, including fire, theft, water damage, flooding, infestations, and even vandalism — risks that can happen unexpectedly, even in well-maintained facilities.
While most self storage facilities in the UK offer secure environments, with features like CCTV surveillance, alarms, and controlled access, there are still unforeseen events that could lead to damage. For example, your items might be damaged by water from a leak in a neighbouring unit, or a fire could break out in another area of the facility. In these cases, self storage insurance ensures you are financially protected.
In essence, self storage insurance gives you the peace of mind that your stored items are covered against a variety of risks. Whether you’re storing furniture, electronics, valuable antiques, or business stock, having the right level of cover ensures that you’re protected against unexpected events, helping you avoid financial loss if something goes wrong.
Does Home Insurance Cover Items in Storage?
Home insurance may offer some coverage for stored items, but this is often limited or short-term. In most cases, home contents policies only cover belongings at your home address. Even if your insurer includes storage, many exclude risks like theft from a storage unit or damage caused by vermin or leaks.
If you plan to store goods for longer periods, or want full protection, dedicated insurance for self storage is a smarter choice.
Do Storage Facilities Provide Insurance?
Self storage providers typically offer insurance options, but it varies from one facility to another. Some providers include insurance as part of their service, while others offer it as an optional add-on.
The insurance typically covers risks like fire, theft, water damage, and pests. Many facilities offer tailored contents protection (like at Wigwam), specifically designed to cover the unique risks associated with storing items off-site. This type of insurance ensures that your goods are protected from unforeseen events while they are in storage.
However, some self storage providers also allow customers to use their own insurance, provided it meets the facility’s requirements. For example, the insurance must cover items stored off-site and name the storage facility on the policy.
If you choose to use your own insurance, you’ll generally need to provide proof within a specified time period (often within 14 days of moving in). If you fail to provide this proof, you may be required to take out the provider’s own insurance.
What Should I Consider When Buying Storage Insurance?
When choosing the right insurance for self storage, consider:
What Risks Are Covered?
Not all insurance policies offer the same protection. Things to look for would be:
- Water damage from leaks or burst pipes
- Theft involving forced entry
- Fire, lightning, storms and natural disasters
- Infestations from moths or vermin
- Impact, riots, malicious damage and more
Replacement Value and Costs
A good policy will base premiums on the full replacement value of your belongings.
Why Wigwam Requires Contents Protection
When storing your belongings with Wigwam Self Storage, contents protection insurance is a mandatory requirement for all customers throughout the duration of your rental. This ensures your goods are protected against unforeseen events, such as fire, theft, water damage, or other risks that might occur while in storage.
Choose Your Level of Cover
At Wigwam, we give you the flexibility to choose how you want to be covered. You can either:
- Take out Wigwam’s tailored contents protection cover, or
- Provide proof of your own self storage insurance immediately.
If you opt for your own insurance, you’ll need to supply proof of cover straight away. We recommend initially taking out our contents protection cover to ensure your goods are protected from day one. Once we receive proof of your own insurance, we’ll refund the cost of Wigwam’s coverage.
Why Choose Wigwam’s Contents Protection?
Wigwam’s contents protection cover offers comprehensive protection against a wide range of risks.
This cover ensures that your items are safeguarded, with new-for-old replacement in the event of damage, providing full peace of mind.
Providing Your Own Insurance
If you prefer to use your own insurance, it’s important to ensure your policy covers items in a self storage facility. To verify this, check that:
- The policy specifies coverage for self storage
- The insurance policy includes the storage facility’s name and full address
Once you’ve arranged your own cover, you’ll need to provide proof of insurance to Wigwam immediately. If you don’t, our standard contents protection cover will be applied automatically, and a charge added to your account. If proof of your own cover is provided later, we’ll refund the cost of Wigwam’s coverage.
What’s Covered by Wigwam’s Contents Protection?
Wigwam’s contents protection cover includes a wide range of incidents that could affect your items in storage. Coverage includes, but is not limited to:
- Water damage caused by burst pipes or leaks
- Theft involving forcible entry or exit
- Vermin or insect damage originating from external sources
- Fire, explosion, and storm damage
- Malicious damage or vandalism
Wigwam’s tailored contents protection ensures your items are covered from the moment they enter the storage unit, right up until you retrieve them.
What’s Not Covered Under Self Storage Contents Protection?
Certain items are prohibited from being stored or insured at Wigwam and therefore, naturally will not be covered by any contents protection insurance.
These include:
- Fireworks, weapons or explosives
- Perishables and flammables
- Living creatures
- Cash, securities and high-value art
- Hazardous chemicals or waste
- Tyres, power inverters and generators
- Illegal goods or stolen items
Ready To Store? Let Wigwam Take Care of the Details
Whether you need a quick storage insurance comparison, or want to store your belongings immediately, Wigwam has you covered. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you protect your belongings from day one.
Get in touch today for a free quote or learn more about contents protection.
