Self-storage has become increasingly common as Canadians move, renovate, downsize or simply run out of room at home.
Canada’s self-storage industry included approximately 1,750 businesses in 2026, an increase of about 2.6% annually since 2021.
Renting extra space may solve a storage problem, but it also raises an important question: Are the belongings inside properly insured?
The answer depends on where the items are stored, why they are there and what your insurance policy covers.
Items Stored at a Self-Storage Facility
A storage facility’s security cameras, gates and access controls can help discourage theft, but they do not automatically insure your possessions.
Some facilities require customers to show proof of insurance or purchase coverage through the storage company. Before accepting the facility’s insurance, review:
- What events are covered
- The maximum amount the policy will pay
- The deductible
- Whether water damage, theft, fire or pest damage is excluded
- Whether certain valuables are subject to special limits
Your home, condo or tenant insurance may provide some coverage for belongings temporarily stored away from your residence. However, off-premises coverage may be limited, and longer-term storage may be treated differently. Never assume your full contents limit follows your belongings into a storage unit.
Portable Storage Containers at Your Home
Are you using a portable storage container during a renovation or move? When the container remains on your property, your home insurance may continue to cover your belongings, subject to the terms, limits and exclusions of your policy.
Tell your insurance broker before the container arrives. Coverage can be affected by how long it will be there, what is being stored and whether the home is undergoing major renovations or will be temporarily vacant.
You should also use a secure lock and avoid storing items that could be damaged by temperature changes, humidity or moisture.
Sheds, Garages and Other Structures
Home insurance generally includes some coverage for detached structures on your property, such as a shed or detached garage, as well as the personal belongings kept inside them. However, limits and exclusions still apply.
Outdoor structures may be more vulnerable to theft, water, wind and temperature-related damage. Certain property, including business equipment, tools, bicycles, jewellery, artwork and collections, may have lower coverage limits or require additional insurance.
Items Stored at Someone Else’s Property
Leaving furniture in a friend’s barn, storing boxes in a relative’s garage or placing a container on someone else’s rural property may seem convenient, but it can create a significant coverage gap.
The property owner’s insurance generally does not automatically cover belongings owned by someone else. Your own policy may also restrict or exclude coverage when items are stored at an unapproved or unsecured location.
Speak with your broker before moving anything valuable to someone else’s property.
High-Value and Irreplaceable Items
A storage unit may not be the best place for jewellery, fine art, important documents, collectibles, cash or family heirlooms.
Insurance policies often place special limits on valuable categories of property. Even when an item is covered, the policy may not pay its full replacement value unless it has been appraised and specifically listed on the policy.
Consider using a secure, climate-controlled environment or another storage option designed for valuable or delicate items.
Create an Inventory Before You Store
Before packing everything away:
- Photograph or record the contents
- Keep receipts, appraisals and serial numbers
- Label boxes clearly
- Estimate the replacement cost of the items
- Keep your inventory somewhere other than inside the storage unit
A current home inventory can help you select an appropriate coverage amount and provide documentation if you need to make a claim.
Check Before You Store
Insurance coverage for stored possessions is not the same under every policy. The location, length of storage, type of facility and value of the property can all affect whether a loss will be covered.
Before placing your belongings in storage, contact Gibb Insurance Brokers. We can review your situation, explain the limits of your existing policy and help determine whether additional coverage is needed.
Call us at 519-736-8228.
Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the applicable insurance policy.