DO YOU NEED SELF STORAGE INSURANCE?

Insurance is one of those things that is only ever really needed in worst-case scenarios. When buildings burn down, when belongings are destroyed, when people pass away – these are the times when insurance policies can really make a difference and compensate the beneficiaries.However, many people still choose to forgo insurance, either because they don’t think it’s worth the money or because they simply can’t be bothered. The “it will never happen to me” mentality prevents many people from investing in all types of insurance, and sadly many live to regret their decision.Insurance companies are not without blame either. High premiums, confusing contracts and shady practices have discouraged individuals and businesses alike from insuring themselves and their belongings.

Self Storage Insurance

Insurance in the world of self storage shares the same industry wide problems. Too many people who need it don’t have it and, for those that do, too many of them are being massively overcharged by their self storage company. At Flexible Storage, we don’t like to see storage customers being taken advantage of. Nor do we like to see them out of pocket in the very unlikely event that anything should happen to their possessions. That’s why we’re here to set the record straight around self storage insurance and help you decide whether you need to insure your storage items.

What is self storage insurance?

Self storage insurance is an insurance that can be taken out to cover personal and business belongings whilst they are in storage. There are a variety of self storage insurance policies out there and many storage facilities will require you to take out storage insurance before they will accept your items. Some policies even cover your belongings whilst they are in transit to and from the storage facility.What does self storage insurance cover?As well as protecting your possessions from theft whilst in storage, most self storage insurance policies will also provide cover for the following:

Fire damage
Water damage, e.g. from storms, floods or sprinklers
Vandalism
Subsidence damage
Insect or vermin damage

What doesn’t self storage insurance cover?

As with all types of insurance, there will be certain limitations to self storage insurance that you need to be fully aware of. While each insurance provider will have slightly different policy conditions, there are some exceptions that are pretty much universal in self storage insurance:

No coverage for storage units containing dangerous contents e.g. flammable liquids or toxic chemicals
No coverage for storage units containing any form of currency e.g. cash, coins, credit cards, cheques, bank drafts, vouchers, lottery tickets, etc.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to clarify with your insurance provider exactly what your policy covers you for AND exactly what it doesn’t. This should all be in the insurance contract so make sure you check the policy wording carefully before you sign on the dotted line.

Is insurance required for self storage?

In short, it all depends on the storage facility you use. As mentioned above, many facilities will insist on you taking out an insurance policy to cover your goods before they are willing to store them. However, many other storage facilities do not compel you to take out insurance but will strongly recommend it.For the storage facilities that do enforce compulsory storage insurance, many will only allow customers to take out storage insurance with them or may even sneak it into the overall storage price without even consulting the customer. This lack of choice and blatant exploitation of customers has resulted in self storage customers paying an average of three times more for insurance coverage than they would if they have shopped around. This simply isn’t good enough.

So, do you really need insurance for self storage?

The short answer is – yes. While the vast majority of self storage facilities are incredibly secure with sophisticated surveillance systems and fires are very rare because of strict safety practices and fire regulations, there will always be some risk associated with any stored items.As the devastating fire at the Shurgard self storage facility at the start of the year demonstrated, responsibility for the safety of possessions ultimately falls to customers. Many customers lost thousands of pounds worth of goods in Shurgard’s Croydon facility fire because they had no insurance or didn’t insure their belongings to their true and correct value, instead opting for the minimum level of coverage.Storage facilities can do all they can to minimise risk by complying with safety standards and fire regulations but it is in everyone’s interest that storage items are properly insured.If your personal possessions or business goods are important enough to store in the first place, they should be important enough to insure too. The risk of theft or damage may be miniscule but the fire at Shurgard acts a timely reminder of the real and substantial costs when disaster strikes.

How can Flexible Storage help?

At Flexible Storage, we recommend that all of our self storage customers insure their items. However, while we encourage insurance coverage, it is not compulsory. Instead, we offer specialist storage insurance through our partner NSIP Services. Their policies are varied, flexible and competitively priced to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. Get in touch with us today for a free insurance quote or to discuss your self storage options.

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Using Self Storage in Chelmsford or Aveley During Life Changes

By James Coxon • August 15, 2025

Discover why our storage facilities in Aveley and Chelmsford are great options for when you are going through life changes like moving home.

Indoor Storage vs Container Storage: What’s the Difference?

By James Coxon • August 3, 2025

When it comes to finding extra space for your belongings, storage units are a reliable and flexible solution, whether you're moving house, renovating, running a business, or simply need to clear a bit of room at home. There are a few different types of storage to choose from, depending on your needs. But one of the first choices you'll come across is whether to go for indoor storage or container storage. You might have seen both options online and wondered what the difference actually is. Do you really need climate control? Is one more secure than the other? And which one offers better value? Let’s take a closer look at how the two compare and why container storage often comes out on top. What is Indoor Storage? Indoor storage units are based inside a large warehouse or purpose-built facility. You usually access them through a main reception or loading bay, then navigate your way through internal corridors (sometimes using lifts or trolleys) to get to your unit. These kinds of facilities are sometimes climate-controlled and can be a good option for anyone storing delicate or temperature-sensitive items, like vintage furniture, valuable artwork, or sensitive electronics that need extra care. They tend to offer a wide range of unit sizes, and security is usually high, with PIN codes, alarms and staff on-site. The trade-off? You’ll often pay more for the added features, and access isn’t always as quick or easy as you might like — especially if you’re trying to move larger items in a hurry or during busy hours. What is Container Storage? Container storage takes a simpler, more practical approach. The units are steel containers set in a secure, outdoor storage location, the same kind you might see on construction sites or at docks, but ours have only ever been used for personal or business storage. The biggest benefit? You can drive straight up to the door of your unit. No trolleys. No tight corridors. No lifts. Whether you’re loading a sofa or unloading stock for your business, the ease of access is a game-changer. Container storage units are also fully weatherproof and incredibly secure. At Flexible Storage, we use CCTV-monitored sites with PIN-coded gates, and all units are lockable with heavy-duty padlocks. Many of our customers also appreciate the extended opening hours or 24/7 access we provide, especially for tradespeople, business owners, or anyone with a busy schedule. How Do You Choose? It all depends on what you’re storing and how you plan to use your space. If you're storing particularly delicate or valuable items, like antiques or anything sensitive to temperature or humidity , some people may consider indoor units. That said, don’t discount container storage; many customers safely store a wide range of items with no issues. It really comes down to what feels right for you. But for most everyday storage needs like furniture, tools, excess stock, seasonal equipment, or items in between moves, container storage is more than up to the task. It’s easier to access, more cost-effective, and gives you plenty of space without the added frills (or fees) of an indoor facility. Why We Offer Container Storage Only We’ve focused entirely on container storage because we believe it gives our customers the best balance of value, convenience, and security. We’ve helped homeowners during renovations, supported students moving between terms, and provided local businesses with extra stock space — all through reliable, easy-to-access container units. You don’t need a fancy building or high-tech climate control to keep your items safe. You just need something that’s clean, dry, secure, and easy to get to. That’s exactly what we offer. If you’re not sure how much space you’ll need, check out our Unit Size Guide or speak to a member of the team; we’re always happy to help. You can also pop by one of our sites in Aveley , Grays , or Chelmsford to take a look at the units in person. When comparing indoor storage and container storage, it’s easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles. But sometimes the most straightforward option is also the most effective, but of course, not all container sites are the same. Flexible storage goes the extra mile. We operate clean, tarmacked or concrete yards. They all have monitored CCTV & lights. They all have PIN-coded gate access. If you want secure, no-fuss storage with the freedom to come and go when it suits you, container storage could be exactly what you need. Get in touch with us today to book a unit or ask us any questions; we’ll help you find the right solution, at the right size, for the right price.