I live in a small apartment, so I rented a 5×5 unit at Public Storage to keep my two e-bikes safe for the winter. I paid their mandatory $15/month insurance fee, assuming it covered my stuff. When I came back in March, the unit had been tossed, my bikes were gone, and the storage manager casually handed me a check for $2,000—the maximum limit of their policy—leaving me $6,000 in the hole.
Key Takeaways
- The Facility Policy is Garbage: Most self-storage insurance (like Orange Door) caps coverage at $2,000 or $5,000 total. It rarely covers the full value of high-end e-bikes.
- Homeowners “Off-Premises” Limits: Your home insurance covers items in storage, but often only up to 10% of your personal property limit. Plus, the “motor vehicle” exclusion still applies.
- Fuel/Battery Bans: Read your storage contract. Many facilities strictly prohibit storing “hazardous materials” (lithium batteries) or “motorized vehicles” inside units. If you violated the contract, insurance pays zero.
- Climate Control Matters: If you store a battery in an unheated unit in Minnesota, and it dies, that is “temperature damage” (wear and tear), not an insurable loss.
The “Why” (The Storage Exclusion)
Storage facilities sell “tenant insurance” as a revenue stream, not real protection.
“We do not cover loss to… motorized vehicles, money, or high-value records.”
Even if they cover the bike, the limit is per unit, not per item. If you have $10k worth of stuff and a $2k limit, you are self-insuring the rest.
The Investigation: Who Covers the Unit?
I called three providers to see how they handle a theft from a locked storage facility.
1. The Facility’s Insurance (Orange Door / Bader)
- The Verdict: Dangerous.
- The Details: I asked the manager for the full policy. It explicitly listed a $2,000 limit. It also had a clause voiding coverage if there was no sign of forced entry (e.g., if someone picked the lock).
2. Renters Insurance (Lemonade)
- The Verdict: Limited.
- The Details: They cover property in self-storage, but subject to the standard “motor vehicle” exclusion. So, my furniture is covered, but my Class 2 e-bike is likely not.
3. Velosurance (Standalone)
- The Verdict: Solid.
- The Details: They cover the bike at “Approved Locations.” You have to update your address to the storage unit or list it as a secondary location. You also need to prove you used a high-rated lock inside the unit (locking the bike to a pole or itself), not just the padlock on the door.
Comparison Table
| Insurance Source | Limit on E-Bikes | Lithium Battery Rule | Monthly Cost |
| Storage Facility Policy | $2,000 – $5,000 (Max) | Often Prohibited | $15 |
| Renters Insurance | 10% of Personal Prop | No Coverage for Motor Vehicles | Included |
| Standalone Bike Policy | Full Agreed Value | Allowed (if stored properly) | 30−30− 50 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Bring the Batteries Home: Never leave lithium batteries in a cold storage unit. It ruins them (not covered) and violates most fire codes (voids coverage). Store the frames in the unit, batteries in your closet.
- Upgrade the Limit: If you must use the facility’s insurance, ask if you can buy a higher tier (e.g., $10k limit). It might cost $40/month instead of $15.
- Use a Disc Lock: Don’t use a cheap padlock. Use a circular disc lock that cannot be bolt-cut. Take a photo of it on the door.
- Lock the Bikes Inside: Put a U-lock through the frames and wheels inside the unit. Make the thief work for it even if they breach the door.
FAQ
Can I claim “mold damage” from a damp unit?
No. Mold/mildew is a standard exclusion in almost every property policy. Use desiccant buckets.
What if the facility burns down?
If you violated the “no hazardous materials” clause by storing batteries, they might deny your claim and even sue you for damages if your battery started it.
[IMAGE: Photo of e-bikes inside a storage unit, U-locked together, with batteries removed]