If you’re moving to a new location or running short on space in your current spot, you may look into a storage unit to hold some of your belongings. Of course, the biggest concern with using any storage facility is making sure that everything you keep there is safe and sound at all hours of the day.
Here are just some of the ways that self-storage facilities are working to make sure that you can entrust them with some of your prized possessions.
1. They may offer a property insurance policy.
Just like you may have renters insurance or homeowners insurance for your household, a self-storage business has a similar protection plan in place to make sure that any renters are protected at all times. Self-storage property insurance comes with a variety of coverages, starting foremost with blanket coverage for the self-storage facility itself, as well as personal property. Most programs offer this on a replacement cost basis that a renter can purchase along with their self-storage unit.
Equipment breakdown coverage protects a self-storage company over any breakdowns with their security systems or electronic gate systems that limit who can access their facilities. There’s also business interruption insurance that helps to recover lost income when a self-storage business is shut down by a covered peril, such as a weather event or fire.
2. Most facilities have round-the-clock security.
The way to spot a great self-storage company is by evaluating its security efforts. If a facility has clearly spared no expense to make sure that your items are protected at all times, it gives a renter greater peace of mind leaving their possessions in that storage unit.
Most facility owners will highlight their surveillance efforts, whether it’s through a litany of cameras throughout their grounds or officers onsite to make sure that belongings are being kept safe at all hours of the day. Self-storage renters are encouraged to keep access to their units limited, with few people having knowledge of access codes to open electric gate systems or copies of a key to open the physical storage unit.
3. Facilities will help you lock things down.
Beyond having a renter’s insurance policy through your self-storage contract or even your own shopping, you want to make sure that any possessions you keep in a storage facility are completely protected. Rental facilities will offer affordable padlocks to make sure the only person getting inside that self-storage unit is you and you alone.
Spending a bit of extra money on a sturdier lock is worthwhile to assure your belongings are well-protected from burglary or theft. Self-storage facilities can also offer additional reinforcements to protect things like fine jewelry, important paperwork, and antiques that are of a great deal of value to you and your loved ones.
4. They will help you store smart.
Keeping possessions in a storage unit can be a matter of being caught in transit, moving between locations, and becoming forced to keep certain belongings there that you may have some hesitation about keeping in a storage unit. Most facilities, upon signing a rental agreement, can provide you with some instruction on the best way to set up your unit.
With extra layers of protection, you’ll feel comfortable even keeping a unique gemstone ring under lock and key. Jewelry will be well-kept and accessible when you may need it. If you were preparing to propose and wanted a safe, secret spot to keep an engagement ring, a storage unit may be the ideal spot thanks to round-the-clock surveillance. This can include semi-precious stones that will be protected under the right coverage in the event of just about anything. Be sure that you feel safe keeping an item in a self-storage unit as a renter. Whether it is a lamp or a blue sapphire, put your peace of mind first.