Am I covered if my container is damaged in a storm or flood?

Insurance is up to you, so it is your own policy that covers your goods, not us. Under our standard SSAA storage agreement, you store your goods at your own risk, including the risk of damage from events like fire, flood, storm and earthquake.

Our containers are built for rough weather. They are airtight, waterproof and dust-proof, with thick rubber door seals, and a 20ft container weighs over two tonnes empty, so they stay put in strong winds. Shipping containers ride out storms at sea all the time.

But no yard can rule out every extreme event. That is why we strongly recommend insurance. Under the agreement, irreplaceable items, or goods worth more than $1,000 in total, can only be stored if they are itemised and specifically insured.

When you get cover, check that it includes storm, flood and water damage for goods in self storage, and get the answer in writing. Self Storage Insurance Australia (ssia.au, 1300 477 662) is one option. Some home contents policies cover stored goods, but many limit it.

A few habits help: keep goods off the floor on pallets, keep a list and photos of what you store, and visit now and then. If you see damage, call us straight away.

Sunshine Self Storage is located in Albion. Call us 03 9010 6147.