When you rent a storage unit, your belongings face real risks — theft, fire, water damage, and natural disasters. But here’s what most people don’t realize: the storage facility’s insurance does not cover your personal items. It only covers the building itself and liability for on-site accidents.
At AAA Storage of Indio, we want you to understand exactly what protection you have and what you might need on your own.
What the Storage Facility’s Insurance Does NOT Cover
Our facility insurance protects the property at 82521 Market Street — the buildings, driveways, and common areas. It does not reimburse you if your items are damaged, stolen, or destroyed. This is standard across the entire storage industry, not just our facility.
Your rental agreement includes a liability waiver that limits the facility’s responsibility for your belongings. That means if something happens to your stuff, you need your own coverage to recover those losses.
What Self Storage Insurance Covers
A self storage insurance policy protects your personal items inside the unit. Most policies cover:
- Theft and burglary
- Fire damage
- Water damage from storms or leaks
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters
- Accidental damage
Policies vary in how they pay out. Some cover full replacement value (what it costs to buy the item new today). Others cover actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation). Replacement value costs more per month but pays out significantly more if you file a claim.
Do You Actually Need It?
Ask yourself three questions:
- What am I storing? Old holiday decorations and clothes you’d donate anyway? Probably not worth insuring. Electronics, furniture, tools, business inventory, or family heirlooms? Insurance makes a lot more sense.
- Could I replace everything out of pocket? If losing the contents of your unit would create real financial hardship, the $10-20/month premium is worth it.
- Does my existing insurance already cover it? Call your homeowners or renters insurance agent and ask if your policy extends to items in a storage unit. Some do, some don’t. Some cover it partially. Get the answer in writing before you assume you’re covered.
What’s Typically NOT Covered
Even with insurance, some items are excluded from standard policies:
- Cash and currency
- Perishable items
- Important documents (may need a separate rider)
- High-value items like fine art, antiques, or expensive jewelry (may exceed standard policy limits)
If you’re storing anything in these categories, ask your insurance provider about additional coverage.
Before You Buy: Inventory Your Unit
Take 10 minutes to list everything in your unit and estimate replacement costs. Take photos and video. This documentation is critical if you ever need to file a claim — without it, proving what you lost and what it was worth becomes very difficult.
Our Recommendation
If you’re storing anything you’d be upset to lose, get coverage. The monthly cost is minimal compared to the risk. Check your existing homeowners or renters policy first — you may already have partial protection. If not, ask us about insurance options when you visit our office.
Questions about storage at AAA Storage of Indio? Call us at (760) 342-5911 or stop by our office at 82521 Market Street, Indio. We offer the lowest prices in the Coachella Valley with a $1 first month move-in special and a 12-month price lock guarantee.