Insurance Guidelines for Big Red Self Storage Clients

Why you need to take out storage insurance

We know your possessions are valuable. That’s why, at Big Red, we do everything we possibly can to make sure they’re safe and secure while in storage. But there are some things we just can’t guarantee to protect your goods against, such as fire and flood. For those events you need self storage insurance. We provide bespoke self storage insurance. For example, if a customer didn’t defrost their freezer properly before placing it within a storage building, this might lead to water leaking into your storage room causing damage to your possessions. Unfortunately the majority of home insurance policies don’t cover your valuable possessions while they are in self storage units. And those that do, don’t cover specific storage perils. So we’ve come up with a policy that can be tailored exactly to meet your storage insurance needs.

Ensuring everyone has self storage insurance

In the past, customers have taken out their own insurance at the start of their storage, then not let it continue. This meant they couldn’t make a claim if the worst happened or have storage insurance to offer if their goods damaged someone else’s possessions. For everyone’s peace of mind we need to know that all customers are covered at all times - that’s why all customers must insure their goods while they are in our self storage units. It’s worth noting that many of our competitors take the same approach. Big Red’s insurance has been specially designed for self storage and covers a wider range of potential perils than normal household insurance.

What our storage insurance covers against

Our self storage insurance policy has a number of benefits over most household insurance policies. It will cover your goods against third party liability and just about everything else.

  • Physical loss or damage to your property caused by burst pipes or escape of water (including damage to labels on wine bottles)
  • Theft accompanied by forcible and violent entry or exit
  • Moth, insect or vermin damage from an external source
  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Explosion
  • Earthquake
  • Storm
  • Riot
  • Strike
  • Civil commotion
  • Malicious damage
  • Impact by vehicles and aircraft

Self storage insurance protects your home insurance benefits

Because our storage unit insurance is designed specifically for items in self storage facilities, it doesn’t affect the ‘no claims’ on your home insurance or claims you might make on your home insurance in the future.

The right cover for you

Your quote will be based on the full replacement value of what you’re storing with us (which is why we can’t give you an insurance quote at the same time as your storage space quote). For an estimate, add up the full replacement value of the items you will place in your self storage space and call us.

Whether you have one large item or lots of little ones, every single item is valued on your self storage insurance policy. That way, not only do you only pay for what you need, but if anything’s damaged beyond repair while it’s in your storage unit or wine cellar, you can be sure your claim will be accepted and you’ll be paid the full replacement cost. The cost of insurance starts from £1.25 per week for £1,000 of cover.

Continuous storage insurance cover for your valuables

Your policy is valid from the moment you put your valuables into self storage, right up to the second you take them away. And because everyone has to take out our storage unit insurance, you’re fully covered if anyone else’s possessions cause harm to yours.

How do you go about making an insurance claim?

We hope you don’t have to make a claim. But should the worst happen, your storage insurance claims manager at your self storage facility is ready to deal with your claim quickly to make sure you get your payment as soon as possible. Big Red will also be available to assist you during any claims handling process.

What you can’t store at Big Red

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to store the following items at Big Red:

  • Toxic, pollutant or contaminated goods
  • Firearms, munitions or explosives
  • Radioactive materials
  • Flammable or hazardous goods
  • Living plants or animals
  • Food or perishable goods*
  • Cash and securities
  • Illegal goods
  • Waste

* Unless approved by us in advance

Can you use your own storage insurance?

You can also take out your own insurance if you wish, but it must cover goods being placed in self storage. Not all household insurances will cover you whilst your possessions are in a self storage facility, so please check that the terms of your policy include self storage insurance and provide us with proof of your cover if not using ours. Any insurance must cover goods stored in a self storage facility, and name the storage company you are storing at along with the full postal address of the premises. It is your responsibility to keep your storage unit insurance documentation valid and up to date. For more information on Big Red insurance call us on 01624 640040.

Last updated 31st March 2022