If you have ever rented a self storage unit, the property manager probably talked with you about getting insurance that is designed specifically for self storage. At Harrisburg Self Storage, we have a contractual requirement that every tenant must have insurance on their storage unit contents as part of our rental agreement – whether it’s the third-party insurance that we offer or their own personal policy.
Self storage insurance is designed to cover the contents of your self storage unit. As with any insurance, it’s there to protect you if anything were to happen to your belongings while they are in storage. Fortunately, most tenants will never have to file a claim, but it’s good to know if something happens to your stuff that you are covered.
Self storage insurance will cover a multitude of things, such as fire and smoke damage, roof leaks, burglary and theft, rodent and insect infestation, natural disasters and even in transit coverage within a 100-mile radius of your storage unit. When you select one of our third-party insurance options, the manager will provide you with contact information so you can speak with an insurance agent to get answers to any question you could possibly ask.
Another common question is the cost. We offer three affordable options so you can choose the level of coverage you need for your belongings. The property manager can help you decide which level of coverage will best suit your needs ($2000 for just $9 per month, $3000 for just $13 per month or $5000 for just $21 per month policies are available), so be sure to ask questions while you are in the rental office. Almost all personal and business property you keep in storage is eligible for coverage under these policies.
Many tenants ask why they need to have self storage insurance. We care about your storage experience and your stuff! Trust me, you want your stuff to be covered in case the unexpected happens. And, it is our company policy. It’s up to you whether you purchase a third-party policy through us or provide proof of coverage through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy. There are a few things to keep in mind about choosing our third-party options versus your own policy:
- Choosing one of our third-party policies means your contents are covered. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy may not cover self storage. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent and read over your policy closely to see if you have coverage.
- The storage insurance we offer has a very small deductible, and that is waived if theft occurs when using the recommended disc lock. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy most likely has a hefty deductible, and it will probably not be waived for any reason.
- If you have to file a claim, your premiums do not increase with our policies – ever. Typically, any time you file a claim through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, regardless of the payout, you will receive an increase on your premiums, and sometimes it is extensive.
If you have any questions about self storage insurance and why you need it, you can contact us or give our property manager a call and he or she can direct you to the correct person to have your questions answered. As the saying goes, if it is worth storing it is worth insuring!
Bring a pad and pen, as well as your phone or camera. Take photos of the unit, make notes of how many storage totes or boxes are already present, how many large pieces of furniture are in the unit, as well as things that may not fit in boxes (bikes, skis, etc.). Now is also a good time to make note of the things you know are in the unit somewhere that you will absolutely need or want access to in the coming months. If it’s October, you’ll probably want to make note that your holiday decorations are in the unit. If it’s May, you’ll want to note that your beach and camping supplies are needed.
No great warrior ever went into combat untrained or unprepared. So go home with your notes and photos and really look them over. Start thinking in your head about what things may go together, what things you really want to keep, and what things you could probably get rid of. Think about how much of the unit is trash and get a bunch of trash bags together. Think about approximately how many packing supplies you will need to replace damaged boxes or to put away unboxed items. Purchase the minimum amount of boxes and totes for your estimated needs (if you purchased plastic totes, keep the receipt in case you have some leftover to return). You can purchase boxes of all sizes at our retail store located inside the rental office, along with many other 
Every time a pile looks like it’s getting too big, wrap (if necessary) your items and put them in a box or tote, then label it, mark the contents in your master inventory sheet and set it aside. Assign a color to each category and try not to go over the number of boxes allotted in each color group. Continue sorting, boxing and labeling until everything has a home in a box or pile.
Sit down with your inventory sheet and your gridded map of your unit. Mark where the door to the unit is located and consult your list. You will want to sort each group of boxes into need-based categories (A-B-C) with “A” being needed regularly, “B” being needed seasonally, and “C” not being needed in the near future. Using your “Tetris” brain and a pencil, mark out the home of each category and piece of furniture in your unit so that the “A” items are closest to the door on one side, the “B” items are closest to the door on the other side, and the “C” items are at the back of the unit.
Wax on.
Harrisburg Self Storage Lock Removal
