Self-storage is ideal if you want to keep some of your stuff outside your home to save space. But there are some things that typically you can’t put into a storage unit.
Our self-storage insurance won’t cover anything that your self-storage company says you can’t store. This can vary, and you should carefully check both your insurance policy documents and the agreement you have with your storage company – but these are some examples of goods that you shouldn’t put into your storage unit.
1. Very valuable items need specialist storage facilities
Our self-storage insurance will cover jewellery and watches up to the value of £500 – but you do need to remember to include these when you tell us the value of your stored goods.
Bullion, high-value jewellery, deeds, bonds and securities are best kept in a bank vault, rather than a self-storage unit as these high-value items merit extra security. However, the Royal Mint has some guidance if you want to store your bullion at home.
2. You can’t keep food in a storage unit
Food can attract pests and many storage companies won’t allow you to store anything edible. Although you can store a freezer, you probably won’t be allowed to plug it in and fill it with food.
3. You can’t house living creatures in a storage unit
Conditions in self-storage are not appropriate for animals and plants. That’s why plants, birds, fish, animals and insects are banned from storage units.
Keeping plants and animals can attract pests and it might cause mess and smells that would affect other units.
4. Flammable items can’t be put into self-storage
Flammable, explosive or combustible items are too dangerous for a storage unit. This is because they could cause a fire or make a fire more dangerous. Some examples of flammable items that can’t be kept in a self-storage unit include:
- cellulose nitrate film
- cleaning solvents
- fireworks
- gas cylinders
- oil
- paint
- petrol
Firearms, weapons, explosives and ammunition can’t be stored in your locker either.
A storage company’s terms and conditions will often forbid chemicals, biological agents, toxic materials and radioactive materials. So super villains, you’ll have to look elsewhere for your storage needs.
5. You can’t keep illegal items in storage
Despite what you’ve seen in thrillers and crime dramas, a storage lock-up is no place to stash ill-gotten gains, whether stolen, counterfeited or smuggled.
Illicit alcohol and tobacco, unlicensed meds and unsafe goods are included in this category of illegal items, and can’t be kept in a storage unit.
6. You can’t store waste
Self-storage is not a good option for storing rubbish, including waste electricals and engine parts. Most companies won’t allow you to store waste at all. If you’re using a storage unit to resolve a hoarding issue, we have some tips that might help with this difficult situation.
7. Items that we can’t insure for you
Most reputable storage companies require that you insure your stored goods. So if you are storing something that is excluded from our policy, you will need to make separate insurance arrangements.
You should check the terms and conditions for items that we exclude from Store and Insure policies. Broadly, the exclusions are:
- motor vehicles
- living creatures including plants
- money, coins, bullion, precious stones, deeds, bonds, securities
- credit cards, debit cards and charge cards
- lottery tickets or scratch cards
- consumer redemption vouchers, stamps and cards
- no more than 10% of your sum insured in any combination of: bottled spirits, processed tobacco, tobacco products, bottled perfumery
For more details, have a look at the Terms and if you aren’t sure, call us up or send an email. And if you’ve got questions about activities banned from storage units, we’ve got a blog post.
Still unsure if an item is safe to store?
Most storage companies are keen to work with you to meet your storage needs, but they do have to consider their other clients and the safety of their employees – so if you’ve got questions about a specific item, ask your storage company.
