Storage Protection Plans: Do they benefit you?

Protection plans are a great way for self storage renters to be individually covered from natural disasters or incidents resulting in damage or loss to their possessions. When a customer purchases a protection plan, they are paying slightly more in rent in exchange for the storage facility accepting more liability. Many protection plans cover the first dollar of a loss up to a specified amount. For example, let’s say you have a flat screen TV that has a value of $2,000.  Now, let’s say there was a leak in your storage unit and it ruined your TV.  If you purchased the protection plan, with a $2,500 limit, you can expect to be reimbursed for 100% of the loss. You should expect to receive a check directly from the self storage operator for $2,000 and not a penny less.

Protection plans can also help offset the cost of an insurance policy deductible. Sometimes homeowners or renter’s insurance policies will cover your items when they are stored in a storage facility. The problem is, these policies usually have $1,000 to $2,000 deductible. If a customer has both the protection plan and homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, the protection plan could cover 100% of their policy deductible.

Years ago, many self storage facilities didn’t require proof of insurance on customers belongings, and protection plans weren’t offered. When there was a loss, customers felt dissatisfied when they were reminded the storage facility isn’t responsible for the customer’s loss.  Now, with the protection plan, customers have a low-cost alternative to insurance that will help cover the more typical type of storage loss, and that customer will be a happier customer.