Do you have to leave your home temporarily due to a disaster? Most of your belongings will be in storage during your relocation. Here are 8 questions you need to know about storage to be prepared for this transition.
1. Who arranges storage?
Your insurance company’s claims adjusters will make all the arrangements for the storage of your belongings. They will hire a trusted company to send people to move your belongings from your home to storage. You usually do not have to coordinate this work.
2. What will go into storage?
All goods other than your personal belongings and those that you will not bring to your temporary home will be stored, such as:
- Furniture;
- Appliances
- Decorative items
- Off-season clothing
- Kitchen appliances and accessories
- Televisions;
- Seasonal cleaning items;
- Etc.
This list may vary from person to person depending on their needs. In particular, we recommend that you keep items with sentimental value or that you have a preference for, such as a coffee maker or a video game console that you couldn’t live without. For a list of all the items you could bring, see our article Moving When You’re Disaster Stricken: What to Bring, where you’ll also find a handy list.
3. Will I have access to my belongings in storage?
It is important to know that you will not be able to access your belongings that are in storage. You will only be able to retrieve these items when you move back into your home. It is best to assess what you want to keep with you in case you need it.
4. Do I have to pack my belongings in advance?
Generally, it is not necessary to box or pack your belongings before the storage company picks them up. They will usually be the ones to ensure proper packing. However, some people prefer to pack some of the more fragile items themselves as a precautionary measure, which is perfectly fine.
5. Can I store goods with a relative or friend?
Yes, but you will have to take care of moving them and returning them to your home once your relocation is complete. For example, you may decide to leave a few items that you would like to have easy access to with a friend who has a garage and leave the rest for storage.
6. Is storage secure?
Insurance companies deal with trusted storage companies that meet high quality standards. Storage facilities are usually monitored by camera and equipped with sprinklers. They are also heated to prevent damage to your belongings.
7. Where will the storage facility be located?
For your convenience, the warehouse where your goods will be stored is usually located near your home or in a nearby area. We invite you to contact your claims adjuster if you wish to know its exact location.
8. Who will bring my belongings back to me?
Movers mandated by the insurance company will bring your stored goods back to your home when you return, or to your new home, if applicable. So you don’t have to worry about the logistics of moving: your claims adjuster takes care of that!
Our job: to make your life easier
Together, your claims adjuster and relocation broker work to make your life easier. We know how upsetting a loss and a temporary move can be. That’s why we try to take as much of the burden off your shoulders as possible, including organizing storage and finding temporary housing. If you need help in any way, don’t hesitate to call on us!
