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The Benefits of Storage Insurance

Peace of mind comes from knowing that your belongings are covered when your homeowners’ insurance does not extend to these items, you can conveniently pay for storage on your monthly bill and you get an affordable rate.

Learn more about the benefits of storage insurance and contact your local facility to learn more and speak to a storage specialist who can recommend the right coverage for you.

Insurance helps give you peace of mind and covers your items due to:

  • Fire Damage
  • Water Damage
  • Pests
  • Theft

Storage Insurance for Your Prized Possessions

Storage insurance at U•STORE•IT starts at $7 per month and scales based on the total value of items you’re storing. Our storage specialists will help you choose the appropriate coverage level when you rent your unit.

Get a Quick Storage Insurance Price Quote

Call your nearest Edmonton or Red Deer location for personalized insurance pricing:

When Should I Purchase Storage Insurance?

The best time to add storage insurance is when you sign your rental agreement. Coverage begins immediately, ensuring there are no gaps in protection for your belongings.

You Should Consider Storage Insurance If You’re Storing:

  • High-value items: Furniture, electronics, or belongings worth more than $2,000
  • Seasonal equipment: Camping gear, winter sports equipment, or recreational vehicles (RVs, ATVs)
  • Business assets: Commercial inventory, office equipment, or important business documents
  • Irreplaceable items: Family heirlooms, antiques, or sentimental possessions

Even if you’re storing items temporarily during a move or home renovation, insurance protects you against unexpected damage or loss.

Commercial Storage Insurance for Edmonton Businesses

If you’re storing business inventory, equipment, or documents, U•STORE•IT offers commercial storage insurance with higher coverage limits than personal policies.

What Commercial Storage Insurance Covers:

  • Business inventory and equipment protection
  • Commercial document and records coverage
  • Coverage limits from $25,000 to $1,000,000
  • Flexible premiums based on inventory type and value

Need commercial storage insurance? Learn about our business storage solutions or contact us to discuss coverage options for your Edmonton business.

How Much Storage Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

Calculating the right amount of storage insurance coverage is straightforward. Follow these steps to determine your insurance needs:

  1. Create a Storage Inventory

    List everything you’re storing with photos and estimated replacement values. Include furniture, electronics, appliances, and personal belongings.

  2. Calculate Total Replacement Value

    Add up all item values, then add 10-20% as a buffer to account for price increases and items you may have missed.

  3. Check Your Homeowners Insurance

    Review your existing homeowners or renters insurance policy for off-premises coverage. Many policies only cover 10% of your total coverage limit for items stored away from home.

  4. Get a Storage Insurance Quote

    Contact your local U•STORE•IT facility. We’ll help you find coverage that fits your budget and protection needs.

Typical Coverage Amounts: Most customers storing a full unit need between $5,000-$15,000 in storage insurance coverage. Vehicle storage may require $10,000-$50,000 depending on the vehicle value.

Storage Insurance Checklist

Before You Store

  • ✓ Create an inventory list with photos
  • ✓ Check your homeowners insurance policy
  • ✓ Calculate total replacement value
  • ✓ Get a coverage quote from U•STORE•IT

While Your Items Are in Storage

  • ✓ Keep purchase receipts and documentation
  • ✓ Update coverage if you add valuable items
  • ✓ Take photos when accessing your unit
  • ✓ Review your coverage annually

If You Need to File an Insurance Claim

  • ✓ Document damage with photos immediately
  • ✓ Contact your insurance provider within 48 hours
  • ✓ Provide your inventory list and receipts
  • ✓ Work with U•STORE•IT staff to document the incident

Why Alberta Storage Needs Insurance Protection

Alberta’s extreme weather conditions create unique risks for stored items. Storage insurance helps protect your belongings against climate-related damage common in Edmonton and Red Deer.

Alberta Weather Risks for Stored Items:

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations
Alberta experiences temperature swings from -40°C in winter to +30°C in summer. These extremes can damage electronics, wood furniture, and temperature-sensitive items.
Humidity and Moisture Damage
Seasonal humidity changes can harm electronics, documents, photographs, fabrics, and upholstered furniture. Our climate-controlled units help, but insurance adds an extra layer of protection.
Water Damage Risk
Spring flooding and winter ice buildup pose water damage risks in some Alberta areas. Storage insurance covers water-related damage to your belongings.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Repeated freezing and thawing throughout winter and spring can damage sensitive items, cause cracks in furniture, and affect stored vehicles.

While U•STORE•IT’s climate-controlled storage units minimize these risks, storage insurance ensures complete protection against Alberta’s unpredictable weather.

Storage Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Does my homeowners insurance cover items in storage?

Maybe. Many homeowners insurance policies offer limited coverage for off-premises items, typically 10% of your total coverage limit. For example, if you have $200,000 in homeowners coverage, only $20,000 may apply to stored items.

However, this coverage often has restrictions and may not be sufficient for a full storage unit. Check with your insurance agent to understand your existing coverage, then compare it to dedicated storage insurance options.

What is NOT covered by storage insurance?

Standard storage insurance policies typically exclude:

  • Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, RVs, and boats require separate auto or vehicle insurance
  • Perishable items: Food and items with expiration dates
  • Cash and securities: Money, stocks, bonds, and similar financial instruments
  • Business inventory: Commercial goods require commercial storage insurance (which we offer separately)
  • Illegal items: Anything prohibited by law or our rental agreement

Can I add storage insurance after I move in?

Yes! You can add storage insurance or increase your coverage amount at any time during your rental period. Simply contact your facility office, and we’ll help you adjust your policy.

We recommend adding insurance as soon as you realize you need it to avoid coverage gaps.

How do I file a storage insurance claim?

If you need to file a claim, follow these steps:

  1. Document any damage with photos immediately
  2. Contact your U•STORE•IT facility office right away
  3. Call your insurance provider within 48 hours
  4. Provide your inventory list, photos, and receipts
  5. Work with our staff to complete any required incident reports

Our team will assist you throughout the claims process to ensure everything is documented properly.

Is storage insurance required at U•STORE•IT?

No. Unlike many storage facilities, U•STORE•IT does not require you to purchase insurance. Storage insurance is completely optional at all our Edmonton, Red Deer, and St. Albert locations.

However, we strongly recommend insurance for valuable items, as our facility liability is limited. Insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection.

How much does storage insurance cost in Edmonton?

Storage insurance at U•STORE•IT starts at $7 per month for basic coverage. The exact cost depends on:

  • The total value of items you’re storing
  • The coverage limit you select
  • Whether you need personal or commercial coverage

Most customers pay between $7-$25 per month for adequate coverage. Contact your local facility for a personalized quote based on your specific storage needs.

Commercial and Business Storage Options

We offer business storage solutions with space designed with shelving, racking, and aisles to suit your needs. Clean and efficient units secure your commercial inventory, equipment, or documents.

Safe & Secure

Our preventative measures ensure the items you have in storage are always secure. These safeguards include fireproof buildings, 24-hour surveillance, facility-wide security, on-site managers, and padlocked storage units.

Gated Facilities

All of our facilities keep specific hours of operation to ensure security. We also have controlled, gated access, on-site managers, storage units with convenient, drive-up access for quick visits.

Site Managers

Our Edmonton North and Edmonton West locations have on-site managers on staff. This ensures that there is always a presence during hours of operation that is dedicated to our customers and proper storage security procedures.

Climate-Controlled Loading Bays

Large, climate-controlled bays are available at all but our Edmonton West locations. They are thoughtfully designed to accommodate trucks and trailers. Our bays keep you comfortable during loading or unloading and your possessions or inventory safe from the elements during unpredictable Alberta weather.

Storage Your Way

You can trust the U•STORE•IT difference for your residential or commercial storage insurance solutions. While most storage companies require mandatory purchases of insurance, insurance is optional at all of our locations. We also don’t mind if you use your own lock at any of our Edmonton or Red Deer locations.