You might have noticed an extra cost on the end of your monthly self-storage bill. Storage companies in the UK require you to insure your stored goods as part of their contract with you. This small monthly cost gives you peace of mind that if the worst happens and the storage company suffers a fire or a flood, you’ll get some money to replace your lost stuff.
What is self-storage insurance?
Self-storage insurance is a specialist policy for domestic goods kept in professional storage outside your home. Self-storage insurance protects you from loss or damage to your possessions while they are in a self-storage facility (and, if you have a Store and Insure policy, while they are in transit between your home and storage). This insurance will cover your stuff in case of fire, theft, flood or pest damage (as long as the infestation started in storage).
Self-storage insurance and home contents insurance – what’s the difference?
Self-storage insurance is a specialist insurance policy designed to provide coverage for domestic goods kept in a self-storage unit. Self-storage insurance often covers risks that are not covered by domestic contents insurance – for example, pests and environmental damage.
Home contents insurance typically covers domestic goods in your home. It might cover some items while they are outside your house – but this doesn’t usually extend to domestic goods kept in longer-term self-storage. It’s best to check with your home contents insurer to find out if your stored goods will be covered.
Does every storage company insist on self-storage insurance?
Reputable and good quality self-storage companies will require you to insure your stored goods. Most will want to see proof that you have insurance, too.
Some storage companies will quietly add their own insurance offering on to the end of your monthly self-storage bill – but you are under no obligation to use their insurer if you don’t want to. You can often get better value from an independent specialist self-storage insurer like Store and Insure.
What information do I need when I am buying self-storage insurance?
Our quoting process is easy and hassle-free. There’s no obligation when you get a quote from Store and Insure, and you could save some money by swapping – so give it a try right now.
When you get a quote for self-storage insurance, you’ll need the following information:
- the replacement value of the goods you want to store
- the cover start date
You may know how long you’re storing your goods for (this is known as fixed term); or you may prefer to get insurance on a rolling basis with a monthly renewal.
We will insure your stored goods on a new-for-old basis – so when you come to value your goods, use the cost of replacing each item as a guide. We recommend making an inventory to help you work out the value of your insured domestic goods.
You may also need the address of your chosen storage company – but don’t worry if you’re still in the planning stages, or still shopping around for storage.
Should I under insure to save money on my monthly self-storage insurance bill?
Please don’t under insure – you’ll lose out if you ever need a pay-out. When you value your goods, bear in mind the replacement cost, as your insurance policy is on a new-for-old basis.
The benefits of choosing Store and Insure
- Store and Insure’s policies offer great value: we can insure your stored goods from less than £2 a week.
- Store and Insure’s self-storage insurance provides coverage while your goods are in transit between your home and your storage unit.
- We insure all types of storage unit, including container units, which are increasingly popular, as described in the Self-storage Association’s 2026 Annual Industry Report.
- We offer instant, hassle-free quotes. Then you can download your policy documents and save them to your phone. Our service is paperless – but you’re welcome to print your documents if you prefer.
- We are authorised by the FCA, for maximum peace of mind.
Here is some more information about the advantages of choosing Store and Insure.
