If you rent self storage and a natural disaster has hit your unit, now is the time to stay calm and plan wisely. Contact your facility, ask for a report of the damage and assess the unit yourself, then get ready to file a claim if you’ve got insurance. That may be the insurance provided by your storage facility or your homeowners’ insurance, which usually covers about 10% of the loss resulting from the damage. However, many insurance policies do not offer coverage for natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires or floods.
All of that is easier said than done, so we’ve talked to self storage and insurance experts to break it all down for you: what to expect if your storage unit is affected by a natural disaster, how to mitigate losses, and the steps you can take to avoid this problem going forward.
The best way to stay protected is to plan ahead — having your belongings covered and secured not only keeps them safe but also gives you peace of mind. Plus, according to flooding experts, storage units offer a safer option than storing your items in vulnerable spaces like basements.
Contact your facility and ask for a report
First things first: Email your storage provider or call and request a report detailing the damage or at least some official documentation. This is especially important if you’ve got insurance, as you’ll have to include the report in the documentation needed to file the claim.
Since your unit might not be the only one that’s suffered some damage, the facility’s phone line may be quite busy. However, most responsible self storage facilities will contact you when your unit has been damaged by a natural disaster. They might let you know the degree to which your things can be saved and schedule an appointment for you to visit your unit to avoid overcrowding.
Salvage what you can and assess the damage
As soon as it’s safe, head to your unit and snap photos of everything without moving a thing. Ricard Velazquez of Boxie24 suggests taking it step-by-step: “If a renter’s unit is affected by a natural disaster, they should ensure it’s safe before entering, notify the facility, and document any damage for insurance. Contacting their insurer quickly with photos and details helps accelerate claims.”
If you want to file a claim, it’s advisable to write down everything that’s missing or has been damaged. Preferably, your notes will also detail the extent of the damage to each object because they’ll be part of the documentation for your insurance claim.
Still, not every object is bound to be a goner — even water- or smoke-damaged items might be salvageable with the right approach. Professional cleaners can restore certain belongings, but there are also steps you can take to improve the chances of saving them.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends starting with the items that hold the most sentimental value. Gently air-dry these items and clean them using soft cloths or brushes to avoid further damage. For photos, try air-drying them on paper towels or hanging them with clothespins.
If you need additional help, FEMA suggests reaching out to the Regional Alliance for Preservation. Their nonprofit organizations can provide expert advice and resources for preserving your treasured belongings.
Check your insurance policy
It’s important to know that self storage facilities aren’t usually responsible for damage caused by natural disasters — what the legal world calls “acts of God” or “force majeure.” When it comes to insurance, standard policies like renters’ or homeowners’ insurance often don’t cover natural disasters unless you have specifically added coverage for such events. However, this varies by policy and provider. For instance:
- Flood damage usually needs a separate flood insurance policy.
- Earthquake coverage often has to be purchased as an add-on.
- Some policies offer broader “all-risk” coverage that includes acts of God, but those tend to come with a higher price tag.
Derek Torres, insurance broker at World Insurance, stresses the importance of understanding your coverage. “Many facilities integrate these protection plans with their rental agreements. This means renters might already have protection without realizing it, making timely communication with the facility owner crucial,” he explains.
If you’re uncertain whether you’re insured, contact your facility and ask them. Should they have a portal for payments, log into it and check whether you’ve been paying for insurance. If you have personal or homeowners’ insurance, you can also read the contract and see if it covers belongings in your storage unit (companies that do usually have a 10% coverage limit for belongings in storage).
Should you find that your insurance does not cover damage from acts of God, there are still things you can do. To quote Derek Torres, “If a tenant protection plan offered by the facility does not provide coverage for natural disasters, which often times they do not, then an alternative for some renters may be a renters’ insurance rider or a homeowners’ insurance rider.” Getting a rider means adding a provision to your insurance policy so you can pay for extra benefits or even amend the terms of a standard insurance policy.
File a claim with the proper documentation
So, you’ve got the photos of the damage and the damage report from the storage facility. You’ll also need to include a detailed list of items that were damaged or lost, along with receipts or proof of payment.
Lee Preston of EZstorit advises renters to include lease documentation as well. “Secure important documents, such as your lease and inventory records, to prove ownership. Finally, take action to remove any valuable items quickly, if it’s safe to do so, or arrange for a professional to help with recovery,” he suggests. “Before moving your items into storage, take a detailed inventory of everything you plan to store, including each item’s condition. You can even consider adding photos if that helps for future reference.”
The final piece of documentation will be the claim form that your insurance provider will ask you to fill out. In it, you’ll have to make a detailed summary of what happened, list the damaged or lost items and the estimated value of each item. All that’s left to do is to file the claim online or through post mail.
Take preventive measures to give yourself piece of mind
Experiencing a natural disaster can overwhelm anyone, and while nothing really prepares you for it, taking a few steps to minimize the risk is always a good idea. For instance, you may choose a self storage facility that’s in a low-risk area in terms of natural disasters.
Go for a building constructed on higher ground, as they are less likely to be flooded. Also, look for climate-controlled self storage units, which can protect your stuff from destructive winds and extreme changes in temperature and humidity caused by hurricanes, blizzards or wildfires. If earthquakes are a concern, look for storage facilities in areas further from fault lines.
Once you’ve chosen a facility, take additional steps to protect your stored items. Elevate them off the floor with pallets or shelves to reduce flood risk, and use waterproof or heavy-duty containers to defend against water or debris damage.
For irreplaceable or high-value items, consider investing in secure, disaster-resistant storage options. Planning ahead not only protects your belongings but also provides peace of mind in the face of uncertainty.
Megan Lee from XYZ agrees that it’s very important to document your belongings: “Before moving your items into storage, take a detailed inventory of everything you plan to store, including each item’s condition. You can even consider adding photos if that helps for future reference.”
Finally, get coverage. But remember — there are many things to consider when choosing your self storage insurance. As we’ve mentioned, many storage facilities offer insurance policies, but these often have limitations and exclusions for disasters like floods or earthquakes.
Find out if your renters’ or homeowners’ insurance extends coverage to your storage unit. Then, verify the percentage of coverage provided (typically 10% of your personal property limit).
If you live in an area prone to disasters, think about purchasing supplemental insurance for specific risks or just saving money in an emergency fund to cover potential losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a storage unit is flooded, who is responsible?
The customer is responsible for damage from flooding, unless the facility was demonstrably negligent, like not fixing a known leak.
What can I do if my belongings are damaged in storage?
Take photos of the damage, report it to the storage company, check your contract, and contact your insurance.
How can I file a storage unit insurance claim?
Document the damage with photos, list all affected items, contact your insurance company right away, fill in any forms, and provide evidence like receipts or police reports if needed.
Final thoughts: What to do if a natural disaster hits your storage unit
Natural disasters often strike unexpectedly, and the impact on your storage unit and belongings can be significant.
So, just take the right steps in the aftermath. Contact your facility, assess the damage and promptly file an insurance claim. This way, you can minimize your losses and treat the event like a learning opportunity.
As someone once said, we cannot stop natural disasters, but we can equip ourselves with knowledge.
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