Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storage Units? Everything You Need to Know

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your home and belongings against risks like theft, fire, and natural disasters. But what happens when you store your belongings in a storage unit? Many people assume their homeowners policy automatically covers off-site storage, but the reality is more complex.

If you’re using a local storage unit to store furniture, seasonal decorations, business inventory, or personal valuables, it’s essential to understand how much protection your homeowners insurance offers.

While most policies provide some coverage for items in storage, they often come with limitations, exclusions, and specific conditions. In some cases, additional insurance may be required to fully protect your stored belongings.

This guide will explore the details of homeowners insurance and storage unit coverage, explaining what’s covered, what’s not, and when you might need extra protection.

By the end, you’ll have a clear answer for does homeowners insurance cover storage units and whether your existing homeowners policy is enough or if you need supplemental coverage to safeguard your stored possessions.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Storage Units?

The short answer is yes, but with limitations. Most standard homeowners insurance policies extend some coverage to personal belongings stored outside your primary residence, including self-storage units.

However, this coverage is often limited to a percentage of your total personal property limit – typically around 10%.

For example, if your homeowners insurance policy includes $200,000 in personal property coverage, then your stored belongings may be covered for only $20,000. This limitation ensures that your off-premises belongings are protected, but at a reduced coverage level compared to the items inside your home.

Types of Storage Units That May Be Covered

Homeowners insurance generally covers items stored in:

• Self-storage facilities: Commercial storage units rented monthly.
• Off-site storage sheds: A storage unit located on another property you own or rent.
• Garage rentals: A third-party garage or storage space rented for personal belongings.

However, not all stored belongings are automatically covered, and certain types of damage may be excluded from your policy. Understanding what is included ; and what is not, is essential to ensure your items remain fully protected.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover in Storage Units?

Your homeowners insurance policy typically covers personal property stored off-site, but only for specific types of perils. The following are common covered events that may qualify for a claim:

1. Theft and Vandalism

If someone breaks into your storage unit and steals or vandalizes your belongings, homeowners insurance may cover the loss. However, in order to file a claim, you must provide:

• Proof of ownership (receipts, photos, or previous insurance documentation).
• A police report confirming the theft or vandalism.

Many storage facilities provide some security unlike Big Tex Storage, which prides itself in top-class security measures but still theft remains one of the most common risks in the industry. Always check your policy to ensure burglary and vandalism are included in your coverage.

2. Fire and Smoke Damage

If a fire breaks out in the storage facility and destroys or damages your stored belongings, your homeowners insurance should cover the loss. Fire and smoke damage are considered standard perils under most policies.

However, if negligence (such as faulty wiring or improper storage of flammable materials) is involved, your claim might be denied. Make sure your storage facility follows fire safety regulations.

3. Storm Damage (Wind, Hail, Lightning)

If a severe storm damages the storage facility and impacts your items, your policy may cover the loss – but only for certain types of storms.

Most homeowners insurance policies cover:

• Lightning strikes that damage stored electronics, appliances, or furniture.
• Wind and hail that cause structural damage leading to water intrusion.

However, flood damage is not covered under standard homeowners policies (more on this later).

4. Explosions

While rare, explosions , caused by gas leaks or industrial accidents , can damage storage units and their contents. Most homeowners insurance policies include explosion coverage as part of standard personal property protection.

5. Vehicle or Aircraft Damage

If a car crashes into the storage facility or debris from an aircraft damages your stored belongings, homeowners insurance should cover the loss.

This type of damage is generally included under “falling objects” or “accidental damage” clauses in a standard policy.

6. Riots and Civil Unrest

If your storage unit is damaged or looted due to riots, protests, or civil disturbances, homeowners insurance may provide coverage.

This protection is often overlooked but can be crucial in areas prone to unrest.

What’s NOT Covered? Common Homeowners Insurance Exclusions

While homeowners insurance offers some protection for storage units, it does not cover everything. Many homeowners assume that their stored items are fully insured under their standard homeowners policy, only to find out , when they need to file a claim—that certain types of damage aren’t covered.

Storage units are vulnerable to weather events, theft, vandalism, and unforeseen accidents. However, your homeowners insurance policy likely has specific exclusions that limit or completely deny coverage for some of these risks.

Understanding what’s not covered can help you determine whether you need to supplement your homeowners insurance with additional storage unit coverage. Below are some of the most common exclusions homeowners should be aware of when storing personal belongings.

1. Flood and Water Damage

One of the most significant exclusions in standard homeowners insurance policies is flood damage. This applies not only to your home but also to any off-premises storage units.

If a storm, heavy rainfall, or rising water levels cause flooding in your storage unit, your homeowners insurance will not cover the damage. Water damage from leaks or humidity inside the storage facility is also typically excluded.

If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing separate flood insurance through:

• The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• A private flood insurance provider

These policies are specifically designed to cover damage caused by flooding and can help you recover losses if your stored belongings are damaged by water.

2. Mold, Mildew, and Pest Damage

Another common exclusion is damage caused by mold, mildew, rodents, or insects. Storage units ; especially those without climate control – are highly susceptible to moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.

Unfortunately, homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by:

• High humidity leading to mold growth.
• Pests such as rats, mice, termites, or cockroaches.
• Poor ventilation that causes moisture-related damage.

If your belongings are damaged by pests or mold, you won’t be reimbursed unless you have a specialized insurance policy that specifically covers these risks.

To protect against mold and pests:

• Choose a climate-controlled storage unit.
• Use moisture-absorbing materials (such as silica gel or charcoal bags).
• Store items in sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes.

3. Earthquakes and Natural Disasters

If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, or sinkholes, it’s essential to understand that homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage—including damage to storage unit belongings.

Earthquakes and related disasters require separate earthquake insurance, which must be purchased through:

• The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) (if in California).
• A private earthquake insurance provider in other states.

If an earthquake damages or destroys your storage unit and belongings, standard homeowners insurance won’t help you recover losses. Make sure you review your policy if you live in seismically active regions.

4. Business Inventory and Commercial Property

If you use a storage unit to keep business-related inventory, equipment, or client files, your homeowners insurance likely won’t cover these items. Most homeowners insurance policies only cover personal property, meaning items used for business purposes fall outside of coverage. If you store:

• Work-related equipment (cameras, computers, tools, machinery).
• Retail inventory (products you sell online or in a store).
• Business records or client information.

You will need a separate:

• Business insurance policy for inventory and commercial assets.
• Commercial property insurance if you store high-value equipment.

If your business property is damaged or stolen from a storage unit, homeowners insurance won’t reimburse you. Always check with your insurance provider if you store work-related items outside your home.

5. High-Value Items (Jewelry, Art, Antiques, and Collectibles)

Most homeowners insurance policies have coverage limits for high-value items, particularly when stored outside of the home. This means your policy may only provide partial reimbursement or no coverage at all for expensive belongings stored in a storage unit.

If you’re storing:

• Fine jewelry
• Expensive artwork
• Rare antiques
• Collectible items (sports memorabilia, coins, vintage cars)

You should consider purchasing a personal articles floater or separate policy to ensure full protection.

When Do You Need Additional Storage Unit Insurance?

If your homeowners policy doesn’t provide enough coverage for your storage unit belongings, you may need to purchase additional insurance. Below are the best options for ensuring full protection of your stored items.

1. Storage Facility Insurance

Many storage unit facilities offer tenant insurance for an additional fee. This type of insurance is specifically designed to cover items stored within the facility.

However, facility-provided insurance may have limitations, such as:

• Limited reimbursement amounts for high-value items.
• Exclusions for flood and earthquake damage.
• Restrictions on business property coverage.

While this insurance can provide basic protection, it may not be sufficient for high-value or specialized belongings.

2. Personal Property Endorsements

A personal property endorsement (also called a rider or floater) allows homeowners to increase their insurance coverage for stored belongings.

Benefits of adding an endorsement:

• Raises coverage limits for items stored off-site.
• Covers additional perils that standard policies exclude.
• Provides better reimbursement for high-value items.

Contact your insurance provider to see if you can add an endorsement to extend your homeowners insurance coverage for storage unit belongings.

3. Specialized Storage Unit Insurance

If you want comprehensive coverage, consider purchasing standalone storage unit insurance. These policies provide protection for:

• Theft and vandalism.
• Fire, smoke, and explosion damage.
• Flood and water damage (depending on the policy).
• Mold, mildew, and pest damage (with certain insurers).

This type of insurance is ideal for valuable, irreplaceable, or fragile items that require full protection.

How to Maximize Protection for Your Storage Unit Belongings?

If you are storing valuable items in a self-storage unit, it’s essential to take proactive steps to ensure their safety and maximize insurance protection. While homeowners insurance may offer some coverage, it often comes with limits and exclusions. To fully protect your stored belongings, follow these key strategies:

1. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Before assuming your storage unit items are covered, check your homeowners insurance policy. Most policies limit off-site storage coverage to 10% of personal property coverage, meaning your stored belongings may not have full protection.

Verify what types of damage and theft are covered, and whether you need additional endorsements for high-value items.

2. Create an Inventory List

Keeping detailed records of what you’re storing will help in the event of a theft, fire, or damage claim. Create an inventory list that includes:

• Item descriptions and approximate values.
• Serial numbers for electronics, appliances, or valuable equipment.
• Photographs or video documentation of your stored belongings.
• Receipts or appraisals for high-value items like jewelry, antiques, or artwork.

Having proper documentation makes it easier to file an insurance claim if needed.

3. Choose a Climate-Controlled Unit

Moisture and extreme temperatures can damage furniture, electronics, clothing, and documents. To prevent mold, mildew, and deterioration, choose a climate-controlled storage unit, which maintains stable temperature and humidity levels year-round.

4. Upgrade Your Security Measures

Protect your belongings by choosing a secure facility with:

• 24/7 surveillance cameras and security personnel.
• Electronic gate access with personal entry codes.
• Individually alarmed units for added protection.
• High-quality, tamper-resistant , cylinder locks on your unit.

Investing in extra security features reduces the risk of theft and vandalism.

5. Consider Additional Storage Unit Insurance

If your homeowners insurance policy doesn’t offer enough coverage, consider:

• Storage facility insurance (available at most storage centers).
• A personal property endorsement to increase coverage.
• Standalone storage unit insurance for comprehensive protection.

By combining insurance, security, and proper storage practices, you can ensure maximum protection for your valuable belongings while in storage.

Closing Remarks : Is Homeowners Insurance Enough for Storage Units?

Does homeowners insurance cover storage units? Yes, but only to a limited extent. While most policies offer some protection for stored belongings, coverage is usually capped at 10% of your total personal property limit and excludes flood damage, mold, business inventory, and high-value items.

If you’re storing expensive or irreplaceable belongings, relying solely on homeowners insurance may not be enough. Investing in storage-specific insurance or policy endorsements can provide additional peace of mind.

Before renting a self storage unit, always review your policy, assess your coverage limits, and explore additional insurance options to ensure your belongings remain fully protected.

Would you like assistance finding a secure, climate-controlled storage unit in Houston? Explore Big Tex Storage today to explore our top-rated facilities and storage solutions!