Step-By-Step Guide For Making A Storage Insurance Claim

There may be a time when you need to make a claim against your storage insurance. If that time comes, we are here to help. In this guide, we are going to talk you through the key steps involved if you can make a claim, and everything that you will need to provide if that happens. 

When Do I Need To Make A Storage Insurance Claim?

Our Storage Insurance policy requires you to inform us of a claim as soon as possible and at least within 30 days of the incident happening.

Because of this, we recommend making periodic checks to your storage unit to ensure everything is okay. This will also allow you to address some issues before they become an even bigger problem. For example, if you were to see a small amount of water damage, you can alert your storage unit provider and make suitable arrangements. 

What Information Do I Need?

Breaking down the claims process into a series of simple, actionable steps can help to remove much of the stress and uncertainty. As part of making a claim with Surewise, we kindly ask that you provide us with: 

• Your policy number, which you can find on your confirmation email or certificate of insurance that proves you are insured with us 
• Receipts, valuations and proof of ownership will be required upon any claim. Failure to produce these documents may invalidate your claim
• A copy of your storage agreement as proof that you were renting the unit as covered by your insurance policy at the time of the incident 
• Photos of any and all damage you wish to make a claim for, so that we can assess the extent of the damage 
• A list that covers any and all stolen or damaged items, including any that have been removed from the facility without your consent 

While this may sound like a lot of information to gather at what is already a stressful time, breaking it up one step at a time may help. 

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How Do I Prove What I Was Storing? 

We recommend creating an inventory when you first rent your storage unit, as it will help you keep track of your belongings and simplify the claims process for everyone involved. You should update this as and when you change the contents of your unit. 

You will also be required to provide receipts or proof of ownership in the event of a claim.

You may also find it helpful to have high-value items independently valued prior to putting them in storage.

Top tip: If the value of your unit’s contents increases, be sure to update your policy to avoid being underinsured.

What To Consider When Photographing Your Items

Photos should be clear, unobstructed, and show the full extent of the damage to every item you wish to claim. Here are some things you may find helpful to consider: 

• Are the photos clear and do they clearly show the damage?
• Can you photograph the object from multiple angles to further highlight the damage?
• Are your photos high resolution, allowing our risk team to zoom and take a closer look if needed?

Photographing the storage container itself and showing the items inside can also help provide context. The more information we have, the quicker we will be able to assess and process your claim. 

What Happens Next?

We may contact your storage unit and ask them to provide evidence regarding the incident. This is standard practice in the insurance industry and nothing to be worried about. We may also send loss adjusters to the storage unit to conduct further checks. Again, this is standard practice and by no means a criticism of any of the information you have already supplied.

How Long Will My Claim Take?

Each claim is unique and therefore, the length of time a claim takes can vary based on the items in question, the nature of the damage, the need to send out loss adjustors, and the quality of the initial images. To ensure we can process your claim as quickly as possible, we ask that you cooperate with us by completing any forms and sending evidence over in a timely manner.