Keeping Your Car at a Self Storage Facility: Things to Consider

Blog

If you should need to put your car into storage for a while, a self storage unit is a logical choice. After all, self storage units look just like a group of garages! Most facilities have specific space set aside for the storage of vehicles, but you need to ensure that you choose the best option for the safety of your car. The lowest self storage prices for a car might not be the best way to go, particularly if you plan to store your car for an extended period of time. So what are some of the most common options when it comes to storing your car at a self storage facility?

Long-Term Parking

This is the most basic option, although not all facilities will offer it. It's simply a dedicated car park when you leave your vehicle for as long as you need to. It's the cheapest option, but it does have its drawbacks. Your car will be outside, thus exposing it to the elements. Any extreme weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle, so this option should only be chosen if you've invested in a good quality car cover for added protection. It can be a cost-effective option for short-term storage though. What else do you need to consider?

• Is the car parking facility at the storage unit fenced?
• What kind of security measures are in place? You should find out whether there is a security guard at the site at all times, or whether there are security cameras.
• If the worst was to happen, does your insurance coverage protect you against loss or damage sustained while the vehicle is in storage? Or does the facility have liability insurance that is sufficient to allow you to repair or replace the vehicle? Liability insurance would only be applicable if the vehicle is damaged due a shortcoming in the self storage facility's procedures and/or infrastructure (if a lack of agreed-upon security allowed the vehicle to be stolen, for example).

Partially Covered Parking

This is rather similar to a carport. It's simply a roofed structure at the self storage facility that provides some protection against the weather. The structure is still open on the sides, so once again, it can be prudent to invest in a good quality car cover, and to enquire about fencing and the level of security.

A Storage Unit

This involves you renting an enclosed storage unit of a sufficient size and simply parking your vehicle inside. This is the most expensive option, although it is by far the most secure. Enquire about any regulations that the facility might have with regards to parking your vehicle inside one of their units. For safety purposes, it might be necessary that the vehicle's petrol tank is mostly empty prior to long-term internal storage, thus reducing the severity of any possible fire. This means that you will need to manually refill your vehicle with a handheld petrol canister. While this is hardly a big problem, it's certainly something that you will need to make provisions for when it comes time to retrieve your vehicle.

Regardless of how you choose to store your vehicle, it can be wise to give your keys to a friend or family member who lives nearby. The storage facility should be given the contact details for this person, meaning the car can be retrieved or moved in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Share

20 July 2016